A throwback video from Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica have fans in shock over Jessica Simpson’s age during the show.
Fans were taken aback to learn she was only 23 at the time, leading to discussions about the show’s impact on her relationship with Nick Lachey and her father’s role as producer.
Remember Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey’s MTV reality show Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica?
Airing in 2003, it gave us an inside look at their lives shortly after tying the knot in 2002. The show became iconic. But now, fans are buzzing about a surprising detail from the show that’s resurfaced on social media.
Simpson and Lachey’s relationship began in the late ’90s when both were at the peak of their music careers.
After getting married, the “Irresistible” singer’s father, Joe Simpson, produced the reality show about their new marriage. While many loved the show, it often exposed some obvious cracks in the couple’s relationship whenever drama was sparked.
Simpson split from the 98 Degrees singer in 2005, and the pair divorced in 2006, citing irreconcilable differences.
In Simpson’s 2020 memoir, Open Book, she reflected on her tumultuous relationship with Lachey and their time on the show.
“I wanted my marriage to look perfect. I didn’t mind if I looked dumb, but I wanted people to see the fairy tale in Nick. In us,” Simpson penned.
She noted that she was essentially hard-launching her boyfriend before social media really existed. “I had the Instagram-girlfriend syndrome before it was a thing, and I wanted the world to see my husband in the best light because I was hopelessly in love with him,” she explained.
A fan page recently shared a throwback video from the show, reminding fans of the “With You” singer’s 23rd birthday party episode.
In the clip, Simpson is preparing for her birthday party while Lachey, frustrated by the delay, complains, “If we don’t leave soon we’re gonna miss the party.”
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The video ends with Lachey, 30, unenthusiastically complimenting his wife, saying, “Hey babe, you look great.”
Fans were taken aback to realize Simpson was only 22 when the show started. One fan commented, “She was only 23!? I remember thinking they were grown adults when this came out because I was just a kid.”
The age revelation left many reeling.
“Damn, I remember watching this and thinking they were like old adults. She was only 23? WTF? I’m 32 now and I’m not an adult myself,” another fan shared, while someone else added, “23?!” with a surprised emoji.
Others chimed in with similar sentiments. “She was only 23?!” another penned.
“I honestly thought during this time all these pop stars were like 28/29,” a fan shared.
Interestingly, some fans pointed out that Simpson’s father produced the show and intentionally created drama in his daughter’s marriage for entertainment value. This revelation added even more disbelief among commenters.
Fans speculated that the show might have negatively impacted Simpson and Lachey’s relationship.
Otherwise, the pair might have been able to go the distance after all. “Can we just talk about how her DAD produced the show and tried to create as much drama as possible and not let them actually figure out newlywed life?” another person sounded off.
