Jessica Simpson's virtual sit-down on The Drew Barrymore Show was reflective and wide-ranging, fitting because her reason for visiting was hinged on her new Take the Lead: An Essay out today (April 29).
Barrymore began the winding conversation by commending Simpson's billion-dollar eponymous clothing collection, before touching on the groundbreaking Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica reality show (2003-05) with then-husband Nick Lachey, then landing on body image issues associated with church culture and the entertainment industry.
"I was even judged in the church growing up, singing on stage," Simpson, 40, shared. "I had to wear, like, blazers, vests, turtlenecks because if I just wore a regular shirt like all the rest of the girls—I mean, when I would sing, I would feel the Holy Spirit and get chill bumps and apparently people would lust, and so I had to cover it all up."
Simpson continued: 'I've literally been judged for my body, like, since I was a kid. Judged in the church, and then after the church, it was like, 'No, be sexier!' But then it was like, oh, but you always have to look that way if you do it once. You have to remain that body forever, and that is what you should be. I mean, turning in my weight to the label, that's not OK."
The "With You" singer released six studio albums between 1999 and 2008. She previously opened up in her acclaimed 2020 No. 1 New York Times best-selling memoir Open Book about the unhealthy demands once signing with Columbia Records in 2017. Then-Sony Music Entertainment CEO Tommy Mottola told her to drop 15 pounds, and she struggled with diet pills for "the next 20 years" (h/t Fox Wilmington). (The memoir also included six new songs.)
More recently, the businesswoman told Hoda Kotb she has thrown her scale away:
Elsewhere during her visit with Barrymore, Simpson discussed her alcoholism and newfound sobriety:
The Texas native, who married former NFL tight end Eric Johnson in 2014 and has three children with him, described the link between Open Book and Take the Lead on Twitter:
Today I am humbled to share my reflections from over the past year in my Amazon Original Stories essay, TAKE THE LEAD, along with an audio version I narrated.
— Jessica Simpson (@JessicaSimpson) April 29, 2021
I share a moment when I followed Maxwell’s lead and surrendered my paralyzing struggle. Even though I faced my fear I figured it would be a one-time thing…ha who am I kidding?! A couple weeks ago, Maxwell said her biggest wish was to have our entire family ride horses together.
— Jessica Simpson (@JessicaSimpson) April 29, 2021
With TAKE THE LEAD, I was inspired to write about my fears, and I truly hope it encourages you to face the things that hold you back. How can we see ourselves if we don’t look inward to learn who we are and unlearn what gave insecurities and fear residency in the first place?
— Jessica Simpson (@JessicaSimpson) April 29, 2021
You can read or listen to TAKE THE LEAD for free with Amazon Prime and Kindle Unlimited. https://t.co/lCrNBXSCNA
— Jessica Simpson (@JessicaSimpson) April 29, 2021
I wrote it for you, and I hope you tell me how it inspires you to #TaketheLead in your life.
Take the Lead is available here.
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