Jessica Simpson’s boots were always made to walk in the South.
In fact, her western heels have been thriving in Tenessee. Over two years after the “With You” singer, her ex-husband Eric Johnson, and their three kids—Drew, 13, Ace, 12, and Birdie, 6—relocated to Nashville from Los Angeles, she explained how the move unlocked a new chapter in her music career.
“I do love Nashville,” Jessica said during her Dec. 7 show in Connecticut, in a video shared by @jpasc24. “It brought me home to myself and inside of my heart in a really hard time of my life. I just kind of had to surrender myself to my intuition and the light that was in front of me. I had to focus on that. My whole music career, I had a job: to be a pop star. And I tried [that.]”
The 45-year-old continued, “When you’re younger, you just never feel good enough. And it’s OK to not feel good enough.”
Indeed, Jessica hit a creative roadblock when she revamped her sound. Months after she released her debut country album, Do You Know, in 2008, her former label Sony Nashville dropped her—a decision she recently admitted made her “mad at music” at the time. But after a long hiatus, the “Irresistible” singer returned with her two-part Nashville Canyon EP this year.
And now that she’s healed from that dark chapter in her career, she’s ready to fall back in love with music again.
“I want everyone to have grace for themselves, but I’m very good at convincing myself that my purpose is bigger than the moment,” she continued. “It felt like over the last 15 years of not singing, I’d left these breadcrumbs to walk myself back to the throne where I belong. It’s my chair, my crown, and I reclaimed that.”
But Jessica isn’t just focused on her relationship with melodies. She’s also working on having a healthy co-parenting bond with Eric—whom she split from in January after 10 years of marriage—as they navigate the holidays. Specifically, the All’s Fair actor reflected on her decision to celebrate Thanksgiving with the NFL player.
“It’s my kids’ father,” Jessica said in an interview published by TMZ Nov. 28. “Family first.”
After all, she’ll always prioritize her kids’ connection to their dad.
“No matter what, your kid is half the other person,” she explained. “Always have respect in what you say around [your kids] so they can always have a good perspective on it. Unconditional love is important.”
Keep reading for a closer look into Jessica and Eric’s family album…
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."