Honestly, it feels like we’ve been watching Jessica Simpson live ten different lives since she first stepped onto that Newlyweds stage with a bowl of Chicken of the Sea. One minute she’s the pop princess in low-rise jeans, the next she’s a billion-dollar fashion mogul, and then suddenly, she’s the relatable mom-of-three sharing "unfiltered" snapshots of her swollen ankles on Instagram. But if you’re asking where is Jessica Simpson now, the answer isn't just about a location—though she’s been spending an awful lot of time in Nashville lately. It’s about a massive, high-stakes pivot.
As of early 2026, Jessica is navigating what she calls her "self-discovery" era. It’s a polite way of saying her life just got hit with a metaphorical earthquake. After ten years of marriage, she and former NFL player Eric Johnson officially separated in January 2025. Since then, the woman who basically invented celebrity reality TV has been doing something radical: she's staying single, staying independent, and—perhaps most shockingly—staying off the apps.
Life After the Split: The Single Mom Chapter
Divorce is messy. Even when you're a multi-millionaire with a mansion in Hidden Hills, the logistics of uncoupling after a decade are brutal. Jessica and Eric have been living separately for over a year now, and while they’ve been spotted together at family events—like their daughter Maxwell’s basketball games or Thanksgiving at Tina Simpson’s house—don't let the "united front" fool you into thinking a reconciliation is coming.
The couple has been figuring out a co-parenting rhythm for their three kids: Maxwell (13), Ace (12), and the youngest, Birdie (6). It hasn't all been smooth sailing. Sources have whispered about "trust issues" being the catalyst for the split, and more recently, a "new wrinkle" appeared regarding Maxwell’s future. Apparently, the eldest Simpson kid wants to follow in her mom’s footsteps into acting, a move Jessica supports but Eric reportedly isn't thrilled about.
When a TMZ reporter cornered her at LAX just this month to ask if she’d ever consider being The Bachelorette to find love again, she didn't miss a beat. "I have options," she said, laughing it off. "I'm good." She isn't looking for a rose; she’s looking for herself.
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The Nashville Canyon: Why She Left Hollywood
You might have noticed she’s been trading the Los Angeles smog for Tennessee air. There’s a reason for that. Jessica recently pulled her $17.9 million Hidden Hills estate off the market after trying to sell it for nearly a year, but her heart seems to be in Nashville. She’s called the move a "lightbulb moment" that happened while celebrating Maxwell's 11th birthday in the city.
The Appeal of the South
- No Paparazzi: In Nashville, she can walk into a grocery store without fifteen lenses pointed at her face.
- Creative Roots: She’s back to writing country-infused pop, the kind of music she says finally "feels like her."
- Family Proximity: Being closer to her Southern roots feels like a "reset button" for her mental health.
She’s actually built a recording studio in her home, which is where her new album, Nashville Canyon, was born. For years, Jessica admitted she was "afraid of herself" when she wrote music because she was often drinking to numb her insecurities. Now, nearly five years sober, she says the fear is gone. The new music is raw. It’s Nashville. It’s a far cry from the bubblegum tracks of 1999.
Where is Jessica Simpson Now in the Business World?
If you thought she was just a "celebrity face" for a brand, you haven't been paying attention. In late 2021, Jessica and her mother, Tina, did something incredibly ballsy: they spent $65 million to buy back 100% ownership of The Jessica Simpson Collection.
The brand’s parent company, Sequential Brands Group, had filed for bankruptcy, and Jessica wasn't about to let her name go to the highest bidder at an auction. She put her own money on the line to reclaim it. Today, she is the CEO. Not a spokesperson. The boss.
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She’s been busy evolving the brand for 2026. There’s a massive partnership with Walmart that brings her style to an inclusive size range (XS to 3X) at prices under $30. She also recently launched a new fragrance called Mystic Canyon, which she says captures this "empowering" phase of her life. She’s leaning into being the "underdog" again, even though her brand has historically pulled in $1 billion a year at retail.
Addressing the Health and Body Scrutiny
We can't talk about where Jessica is now without mentioning the conversation around her body. It’s the topic that has followed her like a shadow for twenty years. After losing 100 pounds following her third pregnancy, the "Ozempic" rumors started flying.
Jessica has been pretty blunt about this. She’s attributed her transformation to a grueling workout regimen with trainer Harley Pasternak and a strict "Pasternak's Body Reset Diet." In interviews, she’s expressed frustration that people can’t just let her be healthy without assuming there’s a pharmaceutical shortcut. "Only my opinion matters," she told People recently, noting that she used to dress for guys or for attention, but at 45, she’s finally dressing for herself.
The Screen Projects: Open Book and Beyond
Remember her memoir, Open Book? The one where she spilled all the tea about John Mayer being "obsessed" with her and her struggles with addiction? That book changed everything. It proved she wasn't the "dumb blonde" the media tried to cast her as in the early 2000s.
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That book is currently being turned into a scripted series for Amazon. While it's had a slow journey through development, it's still a major part of her 2026 portfolio. There’s also a multi-part documentary in the works that uses personal footage she’s been filming for a decade. She wants to show the "real" version of her life, not the edited MTV version.
What We Can Learn from the "New" Jessica
If you're looking for an actionable takeaway from Jessica Simpson’s current trajectory, it’s about ownership. Not just of a business, but of a narrative.
- Reclaim Your Brand: Whether it's your career or your personal reputation, if it's drifting away from who you actually are, pull a "Jessica" and buy it back. Invest in yourself even when it feels risky.
- Location Matters: If your environment is toxic or just "loud," don't be afraid to relocate. Her move toward Nashville shows that sometimes you have to leave the spotlight to find your voice.
- Vulnerability is Currency: Her success in the last five years didn't come from being perfect; it came from being honest about her dyslexia, her sobriety, and her messy divorce.
Jessica Simpson isn't just a "where are they now" curiosity. She’s a case study in how to survive twenty-five years of public scrutiny and come out the other side holding the keys to the kingdom. She's single, she's sober, and for the first time in a long time, she's the one calling the shots.