Last week, Jessica Alba and Cash Warren soft-launched their divorce. I noted, at the time, that I was surprised that we hadn’t gotten more about the much-rumored split of the other Jessica, Jessica Simpson. In the last half of 2024, there were steady rumors about the state of Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson’s marriage. Money problems and location problems, allegedly – Jessica moved to Nashville and she’s planning to relaunch her music career. Meanwhile, Eric is… not in Nashville, apparently. Well, now People Magazine is calling it. Jessica and Eric’s marriage is over.
Jessica Simpson and husband Eric Johnson are taking time apart. The singer and actress, 44, and her former NFL player husband, 45, are separating after 10 years of marriage, Simpson tells PEOPLE exclusively.
“Eric and I have been living separately navigating a painful situation in our marriage,” Simpson said in a statement to PEOPLE. “Our children come first, and we are focusing on what is best for them. We are grateful for all of the love and support that has been coming our way, and appreciate privacy right now as we work through this as a family.”
Johnson was spotted without his wedding ring in November, around the same time Simpson teased her “comeback” to music with a cryptic Instagram post that featured photos of herself in a recording studio.
“Interviews in my Nashville music room where I unearthed my singular magic,” she captioned the images. “This comeback is personal. It’s an apology to myself for putting up with everything I did not deserve.”
A source told PEOPLE days later that that the “With You” singer and her husband “very much live separate lives.”
Simpson and Johnson married in July 2014 after four years of dating and share three children: daughters Maxwell “Maxi” Drew, 12, and Birdie Mae, 5, and son Ace Knute, 11.
I will always respect Eric – and I hope Jessica feels the same way – for supporting her through her sober journey and helping her deal with her drinking problem. I genuinely thought they were happy and settled, but Jessica has also been going through some things separate from her marriage. She’s in debt because of her clothing line (she and her mom bought back the rights to the full line) and she’s trying to relaunch her music career. It would not surprise me if Jessica is the one who decided she was done with the marriage.
Jessica posted this photo from Nashville late last year – she’s really given herself an extreme makeover.
Photos courtesy of Backgrid, Cover Images, Instagram.
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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, NY – Jessica Simpson departs from The Bowery Hotel to attend the 37th Annual Footwear News Achievement Awards at Cipriani South Street in New York City. Pictured: Jessica Simpson BACKGRID USA 29 NOVEMBER 2023 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 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 – 20200204 – Jessica Simpson Sighting in NYC BuzzFeed, NY – Jessica Simpson – Janet Mayer/Startraksphoto.com – – 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 Featuring: Jessica Simpson, Eric Johnson Where: New York, New York, United States When: 04 Feb 2020 Credit: Janet Mayer/Startraksphoto.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
I always thought that her clothing line was super successful, what happened?
Yes I too was under that impression and thought all was well. I barely recognize her. I hope what ever she is going through is short lived and she finds happiness.
That said, I never thought she was musically talented. She had a head for business and how to use her image for it. Maybe it can happen again.
Lastly, the kids are who I hope are the main priority. Divorce is difficult.
From what I remember her mother was the real driver and brains behind the clothing and shoe line. Her lines weren’t my taste but when I saw the shoes in Nordstrom figured they must be good quality and I know they sold well. Costco carries a bunch of her stuff now; still not my taste but quality seems ok.
I realize singing is probably what she’s most passionate about but don’t see this as being some sort of big comeback for her, unless she’s maybe going the Christian music route.
I had the same thought.
Iirc, she sold a majority share at the height of its success, then the new owners tanked the quality. She and her mother pooled assets to buy it out of receivership.
I have a weird soft spot for her, but her original line was fun and the shoes, excellent.
Her clothing line is straight up not the same. I had a coat and a purse from back in the hey day. Very good quality and materials. That changes when it sold. It really hasn’t come back from that IMO.
Addiction is hard – unless you’ve REALLY addressed the root cause, it shows up somewhere else. Maybe you put out the alcohol fire, but the disordered eating or overspending or over exercising will take over if you’re not really healed. He’s always seemed relatively lowkey.
Yeah, and given everything she’s gone through since childhood, I do wonder whether she dealt with all those past things or just stopped drinking. I hope she’s been getting help.
Trying to get a music career back – and one where she’s had a makeover to look like how she was supposed to look 25 years ago – is maybe not it. I always thought she should have gone down the adult contemporary route with her voice, less pop.
I hope the kids are okay through it all!
A therapist told me years ago that addictive personalities usually have co-morbid addictions (not sure that was the term she used exactly). So if your primary addiction is alcohol, you may also have addictions to shopping g, gambling, EDs, gaming, etc. She said that often those lesser addictions rise to a primary addiction after the primary addiction is addressed.
Also, I have sympathy for any addict
It’s HARD to go through life avoiding everything that might tempt you.
I mean, people have to eat and shop so how do you avoid relapse with those things. It’s easier in some ways to just avoid drugs, alcohol, and gambling.
Yes. I am married and I am 7 months sober from alcohol. The thing about navigating to a life of sobriety is that you have to change. Something is fueling the addiction so you have to change things like thought patterns, your outlook on life, facing old resentments and working through them, evaluating existing relationships, etc. I’ve been married 10 years, I’m in my 40s, and here I am embarking on an entirely new life, facing things I ran away from for years, just becoming a new and hopefully better person. It’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me and also it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done. My husband and I are working on it but it’s hard.
Also, re: the comorbid addictions. Yeah. I’ve been overeating and I’ve never done that before in my life. My doctor said she’s not surprised. Things like that can arise when you get sober from a substance. (I’m in a 12 step program and am working on healing but it’s a road to recovery for sure.)
I had bariatric surgery several years ago and the surgeon, nutritionist and psychologist (mandated by insurance) all advised that it was common for people post op to start smoking, develop alcohol or other addiction issues to replace the food addiction if root causes were not addressed.
This guy has always given me bad vibes. I don’t really buy that he supported her through her addiction so much as didn’t want to bail on his situation married to a celebrity. He seems like the kind who will treat his partner poorly and then blame her for suffering for it. I really believe he’s a major cause of her emotional issues.
I doubt he is the problem. Her dad is awful, her upbringing was not good. She was troubled before the marriage and I think being married to him and having kids grounded her for a bit and allowed her to get sober (if she is — she doesn’t look well). I would not assign blame either way at this point. I think she’s had it rough and needs some mental health support. But I don’t think there is a hint of him being the bad guy (I admit I don’t look at other sites, so maybe I missed it).
There is nothing to suggest he isn’t who he says he is. Jessica has an addiction problem and was raised by parents who pushed her into stardom. Her struggles are public knowledge and it’s unfair to blame him because of a ‘vibe’. It’s not a betrayal for a woman to have problems.
I think he was the right man for her when she needed someone. She decided to get sober so he did too. He seems like a good enough guy. Sometimes it just doesn’t work out and I’m hoping for the best for Jessica and her family.
Worst thing I’ve ever read about him is he was a major pothead before they had kids. He’s also a Wharton grad and I think at one point she had said that while he was lowkey and in the background, his education was helpful with managing/better understanding her business and finances and, at least at the time, the marriage was a true partnership.
He dropped out of business school when he met her. A simple google search states that he is not a Wharton grad and did not help with business operations. He did get life coach training and some kind of certification geared toward the holistic.
Ok…well he’s still a Yale grad, got accepted to Wharton and how would you know he wasn’t involved in business operations (was Jessica Simpson’s statement, not mine), unless you are involved in the Simpson family finances? Plenty of spouses, from Mackenzie Bezos to Martha Washington, may not have been listed on the official letterhead or board directory but you’d bet had input and influence over their spouses business decisions.
He may have lost his “purpose” once she got sober.
She seems to be going through a midlife crisis. Hopefully she gets it all sorted out. I loved her clothing mine when it first launched. Still have a Jessica Simpson coat I bought then and it’s one of my favorites.
I had a coat from her line that I bought on a trip to the US c.2006 and I LOVED it to the point that I planned to keep it and get it re-made at some point but ended up clearing it out when I needed more space in my flat. I regret that to this day. At least I got to wear it for years before it got too worn.
I find it interesting she says she’s sober from alcohol, but from her book she’s also taking a lot of pills, I don’t think she’s kicked that one yet. Not saying that has anything to do with their marriage falling apart. I have a tank top of hers that fits me perfectly and looks amazing, I hope she gets the clothing line back on track. Also Cash Warren and Eric Johnson graduated Yale the same year, married celebrities named Jessica who started billion dollar companies and separated the same year lol
@Elaina, that is a lot of coincidences, LOL! They also have three children each – two girls and a boy.
Getting on the Jessica Simpson clothing line appreciation train here. I have two of her beach coverups that I bought years ago – still in great condition, still love them.
Being an alcoholic doesn’t make one the forever bad guy. If she remained sober but he cheated on her or used her addiction as a cudgel for emotional abuse, she is not the bad guy. And I’m not saying this as an addict but as a family member who has dealt with addicts. They can be vulnerable too. Overcoming addiction takes strength and purpose, and just because he was there for her in one way doesn’t mean he is a good guy in all ways.
This! Of course, we don’t know these people at all but I find it very interesting that the martial problems occurred when Jessica started having money issues. He seemingly was ok with her having addictions as long as he could happily be a house husband and live a certain lifestyle. As far as I know, this man has never had a job. Now, they are conveniently at the 10 year marriage mark and a divorce looms. Team the kids and Team Jessica if we’re choosing sides.
Eric Johnson went to Yale and was in the NFL for six years. He and Jessica are in the news but they are real people going through a difficult time. Unless you’re talking about a tv show or young adult fiction, the whole Team Him/ Team Her thing needs to be retired.
@Pret THIS! It takes 2 to make a marriage and, in most cases, 2 for it to breakdown.
And didn’t he go to Wharton for an MBA too? I also had forgotten he grew up in Needham, MA, which is a very affluent Boston suburb. So while he maybe didn’t have what we envision as celeb type money he has brains and had financial assets going into the marriage.
Yikes. He was ok with her having an addiction?? Zero evidence of that, and it is horrible to be married to an addict and horrible to be an addict. No doubt they both suffered. Why does there have to be a team? I’m always team kids and hope the parents can be adults and get their crap straightened out.
All her plastic surgery and ozempic use is just sad. She was always a beautiful woman who embraced her curves. Now she’s just like all the other women in LA.
Agreed!! I wish she’d find acceptance with who she is and stop injecting her face will fillers. Love Jess so so much, but she is not doing good things to her face!
This! I remember seeing pictures of her without makeup and she was naturally stunning.
I don’t think she ever embraced her curves. She was treated as a commodity and her parents and handlers made her weight loss and gain into a commercial enterprise. I doubt she ever got a chance to appreciate her body in any shape.
Exactly this and she has spoken out at length on this subject.
How could she possibly embrace her curves when nobody else from the music industry to the public ever have? I still remember how the public was so cruel to her when she debuted those high-wasted jeans in ’09. Then there was the media criticizing her body post-baby. Even if you have a healthy relationship with your body, this kind of harmful scrutiny will wreck your self image.
I still have a cute Jessica Simpson sundress that I love!
I feel like all her work, personality, image, name had been used to make massive profit for others but not really for her all the way back to reality television. Correct me if I am wrong but she did work really hard from childhood and compassionately, that being taken advantage of would drive anyone to substance abuse. I’m glad she got help and is in recovery.
I’m really looking forward to her Pam Anderson era, when she’s out of f*cks to give and doesn’t feel the need for plastic surgery, loads of makeup and dieting herself into oblivion.
Jess still doesn’t seem at peace with herself and her life, which is something she wholly deserves. I know my forties have been a really formative time in terms of self-acceptance and centeredness. I hope she comes around to that because it’s a very freeing feeling.
I have a soft spot for the pop girlies of that era, Jessica, Britney, Beyonce, etc.
I’m close in age to many of those women so I remember those times well.
They were put through the Hollywood wringer while having stage parents, battling post 90s heroin-chic body ideals, tabloid & paparazzi culture, and not having the level of control over their music careers that someone like Taylor Swift has been able to achieve.
First Jessica Alba now Jessica Simpson — they day things happening threes…🙂↔️
Jessica Biel? 😜
She should have been the first last year!
I noticed that they’re selling the Jessica Simpson line at Walmart now so hopefully that will help Jessica’s pocketbook. I always really liked her. I don’t like what she’s doing to herself though. She’s destroyed her naturally beautiful face with extreme fillers, Ozempic, or whatever she’s doing. And she clearly does not seem sober alot of the time. I hope she finds healing because she really is a sweet soul.
I watched the series years ago with she and Nick. He was an assh— but she was charming. Chicken of the sea!!