Pool sunshine! Tulisa Contostavlos looks tanned and terrific with a flashy purple bikini in LA

Back home in the UK, Tulisa Contostavlos' fans are used to seeing her covered up in her favourite velour tracksuits.

But after spending a few weeks in Los Angeles, the singer, who used to proudly proclaim her 'chav' status, appears to have had something of a California girl makeover, stepping out each day in skimpy playsuits and mini dresses.

And to complete her new look, Tulisa, 23, has been working on her golden tan, and was pictured lapping up the sunshine by her hotel pool.

 Fighting fit: Tulisa looks tanned and terrific in a bikini as she soaks up the sun by her hotel pool in LA

Svelte: The singer's skimpy swimsuit showed off her flat stomach and trim legs

Tulisa was snapped lounging poolside in a flashy purple bikini that showed off her deep tan and showcased her enviable figure.

The N-Dubz star showed off a flat stomach and trim legs as she dipped her feet into the pool and strolled around the balcony at the trendy Standard hotel.

She piled her long brunette hair into a high bun and unlike so many other celebrities, remained make-up free and natural as she swam and sunbathed.

Taking a dip: The N-Dubz star looked flushed as she soaked up the sun by the pool

Tulisa was joined by her assistant Gareth Varey, who has accompanied the star on her Los Angeles sojourn to record new material for her upcoming solo album.

The X Factor judge touched down in LA at the start of the month shortly after news broke that she had split from boyfriend Fazer.

Since then, the newly single star has thrown herself into work and partying with her LA-based friends. She is expected to fly to Miami this week to begin shooting her new music video.

Work and play: Tulisa has been holed up in LA for the last few weeks working on her new album

But there is little public animosity between Tulisa and Fazer, with the latter giving an interview this week enthusing about her new album.

Speaking to MTV News, Fazer said: 'It�s going really well, she�s got some great records for her album. I�ve produced Tulisa�s first single that�s going to be coming out.

'She�s shooting the video this week in Miami. I�ve done three records at the moment for Tulisa and she�s currently completing the fourth one.

'She�s out in LA at the moment, working with some big producers and some big writers so collectively, between here and America, I think she can complete her album by the time she�s back in the UK, which is cool.'