There’s some evidence that Jessica Simpson’s marriage has been falling apart for a while. Everything seemed fine up until a year ago. Then, rather suddenly, Jessica’s whole demeanor changed, and she looked like she’d gotten some drastic cosmetic work. For months now, there have been stories here and there – usually in TMZ – about Jessica and Eric Johnson’s marriage and divorce lawyers. Jessica’s fans have noticed that Eric has been missing on her social media for more than a year as well. Now Jessica and Eric are both playing the rings-off game, and it’s gotten so noticeable that even People Magazine is raising the “separate lives” alarm:
Jessica Simpson’s husband Eric Johnson has been spotted without his ring as a source tells PEOPLE the pair has been spending time apart. Johnson, 45, was photographed walking in Los Angeles sans wedding band on Tuesday, Nov. 12 amid rumors of a rift in his marriage to Simpson, 44, who’s preparing to release new music about 16 years after her last original studio album.
“She’s working on music and splits her time between Los Angeles and Nashville. Eric spends all of his time in L.A., where the kids go to school,” the source tells PEOPLE. “Jess and Eric very much live separate lives.”
Over the last several weeks, speculation about the state of their relationship grew after fans noticed Jessica hasn’t been wearing her wedding ring for many months.
“Hasn’t posted a pic of her husband in a year,” one social media user wrote on Sept. 23. Another social media user added, “She reminds me of a newly single girl in her latest posts 🤷🏻♀️”
Jessica’s last Instagram feed post with the former NFL player was from September 2023, when she wished him a happy 44th birthday.
Yeah, I’m not sure why they’re dragging this out, other than the kids are still pretty young? Birdie is only 5 years old, Maxwell (the oldest) is 12. But Eric and Jessica are clearly separated and have been for a while. Maybe she’s so involved with relaunching her music career, she just hasn’t gotten around to filing for divorce. I wonder why Eric hasn’t filed though? I have a theory, actually: my guess is that they’re holding off on a divorce because Jessica’s finances are so chaotic right now. Jessica isn’t liquid at all – she’s put everything into buying back her brand/clothing line. Eric is probably holding off on the divorce until he can get a financial settlement.
Photos courtesy of Backgrid, Cover Images.
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- New York, NY – Jessica Simpson and family at a fan event for “Open Book” by Jessica Simpson at Barnes & Noble Union Square in New York. Pictured: Birdie Mae Johnson, Eric Johnson, Ace Johnson, Jessica Simpson and Maxwell Johnson BACKGRID USA 4 FEBRUARY 2020 BYLINE MUST READ: MediaPunch / BACKGRID USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
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- New York City, NY – Jessica Simpson at the 37th Annual Footwear News Achievement Awards at Cipriani South Street in New York City. Pictured: Jessica Simpson BACKGRID USA 29 NOVEMBER 2023 BYLINE MUST READ: MediaPunch / BACKGRID USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
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- , New York, NY – 20180801 – Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson in Band T-Shirts in Manhattan -PICTURED: Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson -PHOTO by: DARA KUSHNER/INSTARimages.com This is an editorial, rights-managed image. Please contact Instar Images LLC for licensing fee and rights information at sales@instarimages.com or call +1 212 414 0207 This image may not be published in any way that is, or might be deemed to be, defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification needed prior to publication and use. Instar Images LLC reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this material. If you are in violation of our intellectual property rights or copyright you may be liable for damages, loss of income, any profits you derive from the unauthorized use of this material and, where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or any statutory damages awarded Featuring: Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson Where: New York, New York, United States When: 01 Aug 2018 Credit: DARA KUSHNER/INSTARimages.com
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- , New York, NY – 20200204 Jessica Simpson, Eric Johnson and their children pictured during the signing of her new book, Open Book, at Barnes and Noble in Union Square. -PICTURED: Eric Johnson, Birdie Johnson, Ace Knute Johnson, Jessica Simpson, Maxwell Drew Johnson -PHOTO by: Kristin Callahan/ACE PICTURES/INSTARimages.com -020420_JSimpson_K002 Disclaimer: This is an editorial, rights-managed image. Please contact INSTAR Images for licensing fee and rights information at sales@instarimages.com or call +1 212 414 0207. This image may not be published in any way that is, or might be deemed to be, defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification needed prior to publication and use. INSTAR Images reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this material. If you are in violation of our intellectual property rights or copyright you may be liable for damages, loss of income, any profits you derive from the unauthorized use of this material and, where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or any statutory damages awarded For images containing underage children: Be advised that some Countries may have restricted privacy laws against publishing images of underage children. Inform yourself! Underage children may need to be removed or have their face pixelated before publishing Featuring: Eric Johnson, Birdie Johnson, Ace Knute Johnson, Jessica Simpson, Maxwell Drew Johnson Where: New York, New York, United States When: 04 Feb 2020 Credit: Kristin Callahan/ACE PICTURES/INSTARimages.com
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- , New York, NY – 20200205- Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson with children Birdie, Maxwell and Ace leaving their NYC Hotel to go to a book signing at Macy’s -PICTURED: Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson with Children (Birdie, Maxwell, Ace) -PHOTO by: Jose Perez/INSTARimages.com Disclaimer: This is an editorial, rights-managed image. Please contact INSTAR Images for licensing fee and rights information at sales@instarimages.com or call +1 212 414 0207. This image may not be published in any way that is, or might be deemed to be, defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification needed prior to publication and use. INSTAR Images reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this material. If you are in violation of our intellectual property rights or copyright you may be liable for damages, loss of income, any profits you derive from the unauthorized use of this material and, where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or any statutory damages awarded For images containing underage children: Be advised that some Countries may have restricted privacy laws against publishing images of underage children. Inform yourself! Underage children may need to be removed or have their face pixelated before publishing Featuring: Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson with Children (Birdie, Maxwell, Ace) Where: New York, New York, United States When: 05 Feb 2020 Credit: Jose Perez/INSTARimages.com
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- 2023 Footwear News Achievement Awards Featuring: Jessica Simpson Where: New York, New York, United States When: 30 Nov 2023 Credit: Janet Mayer/startraksphoto.com
Their marriage fell apart the moment she over-extended her $$ to buy her brand back. The $$ was gone and so was Eric. This guy is a user and enabler. For years, sat by and watch her get drunk because it benefited him
My goodness, the way she destroyed her face is so much more depressing with the older photos right there as comparison.
The world really does a great job of convincing every woman they’re not pretty enough and they should be ashamed of that, doesn’t it?
Do y’all remember that ad she did for Pottery Barn a couple of years ago? People were speculating she had fallen off the wagon but she insisted she was still sober. Something was obviously wrong with her in that video and I’ve been worried about her ever since. I’m rooting for her to lie her best life. I’ve followed her for decades.
If neither of them have filed it’s probably about the $$$. I don’t know what kind of prenup she had and with her financial situation apparently not so great she’s probably holding off while he holds out for her to make some music cash. I wish her the best though.
I’m glad she was happy after buying back her brand…but it kinda seems like it was a mistake?
It’s a shame because I really really wanted her to land on her 2 feet after being put through the ringer so much over the years.