Ashlee Simpson couldn’t be more excited about her sister Jessica Simpson’s next career steps amid her split from estranged husband Eric Johnson.
“I just did an interview with her today. She has music coming, and it was so exciting,” Ashlee, 40, exclusively told Us Weekly at Jason Felts’ Hollywood Virgin book launch party in West Hollywood on Wednesday, February 5. “And I’m so proud of her.”
Ashlee went on to note that Jessica, 44, is in “the best, best spirits” one month after announcing her and Johnson’s separation. “We are strong little ladies, and, you know, I think that’s a cool thing about life is just always growing and finding yourself, wherever that’s supposed to be,” Ashlee said.
Jessica previously teased her upcoming music in a November 2024 Instagram post as speculation arose about the status of her marriage. “Interviews in my Nashville music room where I unearthed my singular magic,” she wrote at the time. “This comeback is personal, it’s an apology to myself for putting up with everything I did not deserve 
.”
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That same month, a source exclusively told Us that Jessica and Johnson, 45, were “living separately” while the pair were “trying to figure out a separation.” According to a second insider, the two also planned on “being all together for the holidays with the kids.” (The exes, who wed in 2014, share kids Maxwell, 12, Ace, 11, and Birdie, 5.)
In December 2024, Jessica called her new music “the soundtrack of my soul” via Instagram. One month later, she officially announced her split.
“Eric and I have been living separately navigating a painful situation in our marriage,” she told Us in a statement on January 13. “Our children come first, and we are focusing on what is best for them. We are grateful for all of the love and support that has been coming our way, and appreciate privacy right now as we work through this as a family.”
A third source exclusively told Us last month that “there were trust issues caused by the breakdown of their marriage,” adding, “She’s sad [about the split] but knows she had to make a tough decision.”
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Jessica “wasn’t interested” in doing more couple’s counseling with Johnson as it “didn’t get them anywhere,” a fourth insider told Us. “They’ve had enough of the back-and-forth and ups and downs. They want different things.”
Just as Jessica has music in the works, Ashlee previewed her own new projects while reminiscing about the 20th anniversary of her album I Am Me. “I am always teasing new music. I think there’s a place where it lives, there’s a place where it comes,” she told Us at Wednesday’s book launch party, which benefited the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation. “I think right now, like, it will be a moment. I’m on the fence. I’ve been really kind of thinking maybe I want to do more theatrical things, so I’m thinking about that.”
She’s also looking forward to celebrating Valentine’s Day with husband Evan Ross and their family later this month. Ashlee shares her eldest child, son Bronx, 16, with her ex-husband, Pete Wentz, and kids Jagger, 9, and Ziggy, 4, with Ross, 36.
“We have so many kids, so I feel like for Valentine’s Day, it’s more about our kids. It’s more of a happy holiday for them and making hearts and cards,” she shared. “Our Valentine’s Day can be any day. We can pick our own trip anytime. So, I think taking and carving that time for each other to love each other and have that [is important].”
With reporting by Mike Vulpo
