Jessica Simpson admits she was ‘dying’ during ‘train wreck’ ‘American Idol’ performance
By Tamantha Ryan
Published May 21, 2025, 8:27 a.m. ET
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Her breath was taken away.
Jessica Simpson admitted she was “dying” during her “train wreck” performance on the Season 23 finale of “American Idol” Sunday.
“Oh, my God, I was dying,” she told “Extra” Monday. “I can’t even tell you how long it’s been since I’ve been that nervous.”
The “I Wanna Love You Forever” singer said she even put hairspray on her feet because they were sweating.
Jessica Simpson at "American Idol" in 2025
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Jessica Simpson admitted she was “dying” during her “train wreck” performance on the Season 23 finale of “American Idol” Sunday.
Disney via Getty Images
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Jessica Simpson performing on "American Idol" in 2025
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“Oh, my God, I was dying,” she told “Extra” Monday. “I can’t even tell you how long it’s been since I’ve been that nervous.”
Disney via Getty Images
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“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 shared.
Simpson, 44, also said she had to give herself a pep talk to keep her emotions in check.
“I just kept telling myself, ‘Do not cry. Do not cry. I know this is a big moment … do not cry,'” she recalled.
“And then I see my dad [Joe Simpson], 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.’”
Jessica Simpson performing on "American Idol" in 2025
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The “I Wanna Love You Forever” singer said she even put hairspray on her feet because they were sweating.
Disney via Getty Images
Josh King and Jessica Simpson performing on "American Idol" in 2025
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“I just kept telling myself, ‘Do not cry. Do not cry. I know this is a big moment … do not cry,'” she recalled.
Disney via Getty Images
On Sunday, the mom of three took the stage at “American Idol” to give her first live performance on TV in 15 years.
Simpson first joined former contestant Josh King to sing her 2005 hit reimagining of Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots Are Made for Walking.”
She then performed her new single, “Blame Me.”
However, several fans weren’t feeling the “Dukes of Hazzard” star’s TV return and took to social media to bash her performance.
“She was horrible. Never has been a good singer. What a train wreck,” one fan commented on YouTube.
Josh King and Jessica Simpson performing on "American Idol" in 2025
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Simpson first joined former contestant Josh King to sing her 2005 hit reimagining of Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots Are Made for Walking.”
Disney via Getty Images
Jessica Simpson and War and Treaty at "American Idol" in 2025.
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She then performed her new single, “Blame Me.”
Disney via Getty Images
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“It’s a no from me, dawg. This is not a comeback,” another social media user added, quoting longtime “American Idol” judge Randy Jackson.
“There were some great performances during this show. This was NOT one of them,” claimed a third person.
Other fans defended Simpson’s performance, saying she did “great and she looks beautiful.”
Another supporter said the pop star “was having a damn good time” and that they “enjoyed seeing her up there.”
Jessica Simpson going into her trailer
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However, several fans weren’t feeling the “Dukes of Hazzard” star’s TV return and took to social media to bash her performance.
jessicasimpson/Instagram
Eric Johnson and Jessica Simpson
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In January, Page Six reported that Simpson’s divorce from Eric Johnson was inspiring her to make her first album in 15 years.
@jessicasimpson/Instagram
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What do you think? Post a comment.
In January, Page Six reported that Simpson’s ongoing divorce from Eric Johnson was inspiring her to make her first album in 15 years.
“Jessica has been working on new music for a while, but with everything going on now, she feels it’s the perfect time to go full force with it,” a source told us exclusively.
“She’s always journaling, and a few entries have evolved into songs about heartbreak and resilience. It’s been a very creative, albeit heartbreaking, time for her.”
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