Jessica Simpson has opened up about the profound heartbreak she feels after her separation from husband Eric Johnson. In an emotional interview, the 44-year-old fashion designer and singer shared her feelings with her younger sister, Ashlee Simpson Ross, for The Cut‘s cover story.
Simpson’s marriage to Eric Johnson, which ended last year, left her shattered, but now she’s channeling those feelings into new music. She hinted that her upcoming album, set to release soon, would be her “revenge album”—a raw and emotional reflection of the pain and heartbreak she’s been through.
Heartbreak and Healing Through Music
In the interview, Simpson revealed that the separation was the “deepest heartbreak” of her life. It’s a sentiment that resonates deeply in the music she’s working on. Simpson described how her emotions were pouring into her music, calling it “the soundtrack to my soul,” adding that it’s “raw and full of wild emotion.”
Simpson has long been known for her ability to capture emotion in her songs. She compared the new music to Alanis Morissette’s iconic album Jagged Little Pill, hinting that fans should expect to be surprised by the intensity and personal nature of her upcoming tracks. The singer admitted that writing music has always been a cathartic experience for her, allowing her to express her innermost feelings in a way that brings her relief and joy.
“I’m doing this as a mother now, as a wife,” Simpson explained, noting that her children have inspired her to return to the stage. She explained that her children—Maxwell, 12, Ace, 11, and Birdie, 5—had never seen her perform live, making her want to get back on stage and show them a different side of herself.
Simpson also opened up about how her career initially pigeonholed her as a pop star, something she felt she had no control over. “I had to be a pop star because I signed on to be a pop star,” she said, reflecting on her early career when the pressure to succeed was overwhelming. She explained that even though she was putting everything into her music, the industry’s expectations never gave her the chance to define her own artistic identity.
A “Revenge” Album: A New Chapter for Jessica
Simpson’s album, which she’s been working on with American singer-songwriter JD McPherson, is set to release in 2025. It’s described as “gritty” and deeply personal. The singer herself has teased that the album will touch on themes of heartbreak, with a focus on the emotional toll of her split from Johnson.
A source close to the artist shared that Simpson’s new music is her way of dealing with the fallout from the marriage. “It’s a bit like a revenge album, but more than that, it’s an apology to herself,” the source said. “She’s been through a lot in her personal life, and now she’s standing up for herself and her happiness.”
The singer’s fans are eager to hear what she has been working on. The upcoming album, which is her first in 15 years, is expected to be a powerful and emotionally charged release. Simpson herself has described the new music as an expression of her soul’s deepest feelings.
“I pour my heart into my music and have no filter,” Simpson said. “It’s deeply personal and comes from a place of understanding what I deserve now, after everything I’ve been through.”
Simpson’s Personal Journey: Struggles with the Music Industry
Simpson’s journey in the music industry has been full of challenges. She spoke about how, in the early stages of her career, she felt like a product of the music business. “You’re a by-product of this company that’s making them money,” she shared, adding that it wasn’t until she faced being dropped by her country-music label that she truly understood what it meant to stand up for herself.
Her breakthrough country album, written in Nashville, marked a significant moment in her life. She explained that it was in Nashville where she felt most herself, reconnecting with her roots. However, her battle with the industry’s 360 deals left her in a place of uncertainty, and she was forced to reevaluate her path.
“I didn’t know where I was or what I was. It took me a while to realize I deserved to work for myself,” Simpson admitted. Her newfound sense of independence has fueled her passion for music and helped her move forward.
A Family First Approach
Simpson also addressed her ongoing focus on her family. In a statement shared with People, she explained that she and Eric Johnson have been living separately, focusing on what’s best for their three children. “Our children come first,” she said. “We are focusing on what is best for them, and we appreciate the privacy as we work through this as a family.”
Despite the split, Simpson made it clear that her children’s well-being is her top priority. The couple’s last public appearance together was in June 2023 during their daughter Birdie’s kindergarten graduation. Since then, their social media posts have been notably devoid of any signs of their relationship.
Fans Eager for Simpson’s Return to Music
Fans have been speculating about the upcoming album ever since Simpson hinted at it in 2023. Her cryptic social media posts and emotional interviews have only fueled interest. One post, in particular, where she described her comeback as a “personal apology” to herself, had many followers guessing that it was a direct response to her painful divorce.
With her new album, Jessica Simpson is ready to take control of her narrative and reclaim her identity as an artist. Her journey of self-discovery and healing is set to be shared with the world, and fans are eagerly awaiting her powerful return to music.
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