Jessica Simpson Says Ex Eric Johnson Supported Her Making New Music

Key Takeaways:

• Jessica Simpson announces new EP “Nashville Canyon, Part 1”.
• Ex-husband Eric Johnson supports her musical journey despite separation.
• Inspiration struck during daughter Maxwell’s 11th birthday in Nashville.
• Simpson and Johnson are navigating a separation after ten years of marriage.
• First single “Use My Heart Against Me” releases on February 21.

Jessica Simpson Finds Musical Inspiration with Support from Ex-Husband

A Return to Nashville Roots

Jessica Simpson is stepping back into the music scene with the backing of her estranged husband, Eric Johnson. The 44-year-old singer shared that her new project was inspired during a family trip to Nashville, a city deeply connected to her musical beginnings.

“Instead of singing ‘Happy Birthday,’ [Maxwell] wanted me to play Hank Williams’ ‘I Saw the Light’ when she woke up,” Simpson recounted in an interview with her sister, Ashlee Simpson, for The Cut published on Thursday, February 20. “I was having all these flashbacks of making my first record at 14, which was a gospel record, there.”

Family Support Amid Separation

Simpson and Johnson, 45, share three children: Maxwell, 12, Ace, 11, and Birdie, 5. Despite the couple’s decision to live separately after ten years of marriage, Johnson has remained a steadfast supporter of Simpson’s endeavors.

“It is a gift. Eric supported that gift. My kids supported that gift,” she emphasized, highlighting the familial encouragement that propelled her back into the studio.

Announcing ‘Nashville Canyon, Part 1’

Motivated by her experience in Nashville, Simpson began working on her upcoming EP, Nashville Canyon, Part 1 . “I started looking at real estate that day,” she admitted, revealing her deep rekindling with the city.

In November 2024, she teased the new music on Instagram, writing, “This comeback is personal, it’s an apology to myself for putting up with everything I did not deserve.” The post featured images of her in her “Nashville music room,” hinting at the soulful direction of her new work.

Navigating Personal Challenges

That same month, sources confirmed to Us Weekly that Simpson and Johnson were “living separately” while they “tried to figure out a separation.” Despite their personal challenges, the pair remained committed to co-parenting and planned to spend the holidays together with their children.

In January, Simpson officially announced their split. “Eric and I have been living separately navigating a painful situation in our marriage,” she said in a statement to Us . “Our children come first, and we are focusing on what is best for them.”

A source later revealed that “trust issues caused the breakdown of their marriage,” adding that while Simpson is “sad” about the separation, she “knows she had to make a tough decision.”

Looking Ahead with ‘Use My Heart Against Me’

Undeterred, Simpson continues to channel her experiences into her music. Earlier this month, she announced that the first song from her EP, “Use My Heart Against Me,” would be released on Friday, February 21.

“‘Secretly anticipatin’ that you’re takin’ me with you,’” she wrote on Instagram, encouraging fans to pre-save the track and offering a glimpse into the themes of her new music.

An Optimistic Outlook

Despite the personal upheaval, Simpson remains optimistic about the future and her evolving relationship with Johnson. “I’ve grown up so much. I can handle so much. Maybe I’m just meant to love a lot of people in my life,” she shared in an interview with People published on Wednesday, February 19. “At least I have my children and I still have Eric. He’s still very much a part of my life and will always be.”

As she embarks on this new chapter, Jessica Simpson embraces both her past and present, using her journey to fuel her artistry and personal growth.