Jessica Simpson Reveals How She Overcame Her Nerves for First TV Performance in 15 Years

Published: May 21, 2025

Jessica Simpson admitted to being very nervous for her television return after a 15-year hiatus. The singer performed on the American Idol season finale on Sunday, May 18, and her next projects include her EP Nashville Canyon, Pt. 2 and a cameo on Ryan Murphy's All's Fair.

The 44-year-old singer admitted to using hairspray to keep her rooted during her performance. "Oh, my God, I was dying. I can't even tell you how long it's been since I've been that nervous. Like, I had to put hairspray on my feet to stand still, like, not that it actually keeps me put, but, like, my feet were sweating. I'm like, my feet don't sweat," she told Extra.

Simpson continued, "I just kept telling myself, 'Do not cry. Do not cry. I know this is a big moment … do not cry.' And then I see my dad, like, up in the corner, and I'm like, 'Ah, I'm going to cry. I'm going to cry. Do not cry. Just sing your songs. Just sing your songs.'"

The "Sweetest Sin" singer admitted her more than a decade absence has been "a really long time." For her return, she was joined by former contestant Josh King. The two did a duet of her 2005 song, "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'," which she recorded for the Dukes of Hazzard soundtrack.

The star has a new EP, Nashville Canyon, Pt. 1, with part two set to arrive this summer. "It is so much a part of my soul, and so to sing a song off of that I felt naked, to be honest, like, it was very bare and raw and very vulnerable," Simpson said of the new music.

As for how her little ones feel, Simpson said she can't wait to hear their reaction. "I haven't gotten to talk to them yet, but I'm so excited to talk to them because they've never seen me sing live like that," the proud mother said during her interview with Extra.

Simpson and her estranged husband Eric Johnson are mom and dad to three kids: Maxwell "Maxi" Drew, 13, Ace Knute, 11, and Birdie Mae, 6. The former couple were married for 10 years before announcing their split on Jan. 13.

In addition to getting back onstage, the Employee of the Month actress added that she's also back in front of the camera. "I did an episode of 'All's Fair,' and what a show! I mean, great cast. It is so fun," she said. "I didn't want it to end, like, I was so grateful that Ryan Murphy thought of me."

The upcoming series stars Glenn Close, Teyana Taylor, Kim Kardashian, Niecy Nash-Betts, Naomi Watts, and Sarah Paulson. Simpson described her role on the show as "very crazy."

While speaking of her new endeavors, she added, "This is like Jessica Simpson 4.0."