These days, Jessica Simpson's family life is less of a public affair.
After all, the pop star-turned-fashion designer has temporary relocated from paparazzi-filled Hollywood to the much quieter city of Nashville with husband Eric Johnson and kids Maxwell Drew, 11, Ace Knute, 10, and Birdie Mae, 4. While Jessica isn't completely ready to part ways with the West Coast—renting a home in the Tennessee capital for the summer—she exclusively told E! News chief correspondent Keltie Knight that the change in scenery has been much welcomed.
"Being in Nashville, even my kids are like, 'You laugh the whole time. You're so happy,'" she revealed during a recent PetSafe event in Los Angeles to celebrate International Dog Day. "It's because I'm not on guard. I'm with a lot of like-minded people. It's not about the celebrities—it's really about the music and the heart and the conversation."
In fact, being a renter has been "a hilarious experience," according to the 43-year-old.
"I used thumb tacks to hang these $40 curtains up so I wouldn't wake up with the sun," she shared. "I put together a TV with a butter knife. I was looking for a screwdriver, but I went to the wrong place. I went to Walgreens, I got lip gloss instead."
And in addition to channeling her inner MacGyver, Jessica said being in Nashville has allowed her to return to her musical roots.
"I'm not nervous at all, but if you were to ask me two years ago when I was talking about coming back to music, I was frightened," she admitted. "But now, I know exactly what I want."
The "Irresistible" singer continued, "I'm building my own platform. I'm doing it for the first time—the way I would—without a label telling me I need to do this song or use this producer. It's all me."
She added that she even has "Pinterest boards upon Pinterest boards" filled with ideas for music videos.
As Jessica noted of her comeback, "I've been planning this for the last 12 years."
For more with Jessica, tune into E! News tonight, Aug. 28.
Keep reading to see her sweetest sweet family moment.
Birthday Dad
Jessica Simpson rang in ex Eric Johnson's 44th birthday with their kids—Maxwell Drew, Ace Knute and Birdie Mae—on Sept. 15, 2023.
Nothing But Love
"My heart is so taken with this Man, I could hardly call it my own," the fashion designer wrote in her birthday tribute to Eric. "We love youuuu."
Valentine's Style
"Whole Lotta Love," Jessica wrote on Instagram as her daughter Birdie wore Claire's heart-shaped sunglasses on Valentine's Day 2023.
Spring Break
The family of five enjoyed a fun-in-the-sun getaway—and shared the pics to prove it!—in April 2022.
Easter Bunch
Jessica posted this selfie of herself with Eric and their kids on Easter Sunday 2021.
Happy Birthday, Birdie
The family celebrated Birdie Mae's second birthday in 2021.
Birdie Is 2!
Jessica and Eric appeared with Birdie Mae at her second birthday party.
Like Mother, Like Daughter
Fans can certainly see a resemblance between these two.
Fun in the Sun
These ladies had a blast during the family's trip to Hawaii in 2019.
Johnson's Kiddos
"Besties for life," Jessica captioned this sweet snap of her two oldest kids.
Sibling Screams
Summer calls for screaming with your baby sister, duh!
Birthday Bunch
On her seventh birthday, Maxwell ate cake for breakfast and the whole family joined in.
Happy Easter
The family was decked out in their Sunday best for Easter 2019.
School Sibs
Private school uniforms never looked so cute!
Birdie's Nest
Jessica celebrated her future-daughter Birdie's baby shower in style with all the ladies in her life in January 2019.
Merry Christmas
"Church ready #THEJOHNSONS," the singer wrote on her Instagram.
Parrotdise
The "I Wanna Love You Forever" singer knows how to throw a good birthday party. In June 2018, she posted a family pic from Ace's fifth birthday to Instagram writing, "Baseball and Parrots- a five-year-old's dream come true! #ACEKNUTE #5 #Parrotdise #GreenSox."
Minnie Mouse Moms
In May 2018, the Simpson ladies took their daughters to Disneyland and it was filled with "Minnie" memories.
Let it Go!
While in New York, the family went to see Frozen on Broadway and they were all smiles.
The Greatest Showgirl
For Maxwell's sixth birthday the family had a Greatest Showman themed bash and it looked amazing.
Pretty in Pink
The floral four smile for an Easter 2018 family portrait in color-coordinated pink suits and dresses. The singer and her little girl look absolutely adorable in their matching prints!
Lucky Duo
Jess' two cuties look festive in green and gold as they smile for an adorable St. Patrick's Day pic.
Country Halloween
No family does Halloween better than the Simpson-Johnson fam.
Totally Tropical
The tropical crew huddle together in a photo from Ace's Moana-themed fourth birthday party, complete with two actors playing Moana and Maui from the popular film in July 2017.
Maxwell's Mermaids
Mermaid magic was the theme of Maxwell's fifth birthday...can you tell?
Fabulous Photoshoot
The fashion mogul goes behind-the-scenes to sneak a snap of her kids looking picture-perfect for their school photos.
Halloween Crew
Sandy and Danny had a lot to handle with their parrot and octopus kids on Halloween in 2016.
Excited Explorers
Jess blows a kiss to the camera as her little explorers pose with their mouths wide open during a family getaway. We can't get enough of these travel buddies!
Adorable Aviators
The two mini-Simpsons cheese at the foot of an airplane with their Toy Story Woody doll. Mama Simpson posted a pic of the duo to Instagram writing, "Up Up and Away #maxidrew #aceknute."
Cute Cuddles
The sibling lookalikes show off their pearly smiles as they hold each other in a tight hug. Jess shared the sibling love on Instagram, writing, "Brown-eyed man and blue-eyed lady #aceknute #maxidrew #siblinglove."