Alam initially came to the attention of the public after the revelation of her affairs with Eriksson and Palios in August 2004. the Mail on Sunday and News of the World published interviews with Alam where she was questioned about sex with Eriksson and Palios in "graphic detail", and also mentioned a relationship with Indian actor Salman Khan (which he firmly denied). Alam was paid £200,000 for each interview.
In February 2007, The News of the World claimed that Alam offered one of their reporters sex in return for £8,000. It was further alleged that she boasted of a previous "cocaine-fuelled lesbian sex session." The evidence included a video of Alam counting the money as well as photos of her in her underwear. When confronted by the News of the World Alam called them "nonsense". In response to the allegations she is reported to have said, "That`s ridiculous. I`m insulted, I`ve not met anyone this week."
A few days later, The Sun reported that Alam had checked into The Priory rehabilitation clinic, feeling, it was said, that "no one will touch her with a barge pole, now".