Jessica Simpson recently opened up about the overwhelming anxiety she felt during her long-awaited television comeback after a 15-year hiatus.
Following her performance on the Season 23 finale of American Idol this past Sunday, the 44-year-old artist shared with Extra just how nerve-wracking the experience was for her.
“Oh, my God, I was dying,” Simpson revealed on Monday. “It has been so long since I’ve felt that nervous.”
Continuing, she explained, “I literally had to spray hairspray on my feet to try to keep them still. It sounds crazy, but my feet were sweating—which never happens.”
During the event, Simpson managed to maintain her composure by mentally coaching herself not to let her emotions get the better of her. “I kept thinking, ‘Don’t cry, don’t cry. This is a significant moment, just don’t cry,’” she recalled. However, spotting her father, Joe Simpson, in the audience almost broke her resolve. “I thought, ‘Oh no, I’m going to lose it. Don’t cry. Just focus on singing your songs.’”
At the finale, Simpson performed her 2005 cover of Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots Are Made for Walking” with former contestant Josh King, followed by her latest single, “Blame Me.” Despite some negative feedback online, describing her performance as “really really bad” and likened to a “high school talent show,” there were American Idol enthusiasts who defended her. One viewer commented on YouTube, “You can really tell she loves her new music. The soul and emotion are shining through!” Another added, “I love everything about this. Her new songs are fantastic, she looks amazing. I’m glad she’s back.”
Simpson has been actively celebrating her return to the music scene this year, releasing her EP titled Nashville Canyon and performing at the Luck Reunion Music Festival. She expressed her artistic journey on Instagram in March, stating, “Nashville Canyon represents a time of rediscovering my own voice, free from the pressures of the industry. It’s about letting go, letting my voice lead the way, and trusting where it takes me. Inviting God into the space where music is born allows my voice to communicate on a spiritual level, embracing grace without fear and letting the music speak for itself.”
Additionally, Simpson is navigating through a divorce from her estranged husband, Eric Johnson, with whom she has three children: Maxwell, 13, Ace, 11, and Birdie, 6.
Hi, I’m Emily, a passionate and dedicated member of the Sherburne County Citizen team. With a keen eye for detail and a love for writing, I ensure that the latest celebrity news, major economic trends, and helpful tips for your home are presented in the most engaging and informative way possible. Fun fact: During a particularly exciting news story, I once managed to finish an article in record time, fueled solely by copious amounts of coffee and pure adrenaline!
