Jessica Simpson Responds Assertively to Remarks from Ex-Husband Nick Lachey

A fresh Hollywood drama is capturing attention this week.

Not long after Nick Lachey revealed that his former spouse, Jessica Simpson, enjoyed first-class travel while her three children and estranged partner Eric Johnson were seated in coach during their recent journey to Hawaii, Simpson has issued a response.

When approached by photographers on Wednesday, Simpson, referring to the claims made by the 98 Degrees alum, now 52, confirmed the scenario as reported by PageSix.

Simpson acknowledged the truth of the situation but clarified that the seating arrangement for the over six-hour flight was beyond her control.

The 45-year-old fashion mogul explained, “My mom purchased those tickets,” emphasizing that she wasn’t responsible for placing Maxwell, 14, Ace, 12, and Birdie, seven, in coach while she enjoyed the comforts of first class.

Just days after Nick Lachey spilled that ex-wife Jessica Simpson flew in first class while her three children and estranged husband Eric Johnson sat in coach, the designer clapped back

She said, yes it was true, but it was not her fault that she sat apart from her kids during the over six-hour flight

‘It was my mom’s treat for us to go to Hawaii,’ added the star. Her mother Tina Ann Drew works with her at Jessica’s thriving fashion empire.

The photographers then had a follow up question: if she were to have booked the tickets herself, would she have sat with her kids? ‘Of course!’ the Dukes Of Hazzard actress replied. 

Simpson was not asked why Johnson was also on the trip with them. 

The former boy bander confirmed TMZ’s reports of the run-in with Simpson during his appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen.

‘You know it’s been 20 years since… and so we hadn’t seen each other in those 20 years and then spent six and a half hours on a flight to Hawaii together,’ he said. ‘But when I say spent, in the same vicinity.’ 

Lachey revealed he was on the plane with his ‘whole family’, including wife Vanessa Lachey.

But then he added that Simpson was with her mother Tina Ann Drew in first class.

‘Everyone was very, very cordial, very respectful,’ he said. He then added that Simpson’s ex Johnson and their children were also on board, but seated in a different section of the plane. 

Simpson said her mother Tina Ann Drew bought the plane tickets and if it was up to her, they would have all sat together

‘I believe her kids and her – I’m not familiar with where they stand at this point, but her husband? But they were all on the plane, but not with us,’ Lachey said. ‘It was honestly, it was fine!’ 

Cohen then pointed out that the children were placed in a ‘separate class of service.’ 

‘The kids were in a separate class of service?’ Cohen clarified. 

‘Yes,’ an uncomfortable-looking Lachey replied. ‘Separate class of service.’ 

The Daily Mail reached out to Simpson’s representatives for comment. 

Last month TMZ reported that the former couple were left uncomfortable during the run-in.  

Simpson allegedly ‘switched seats with someone in her group’ to distance herself further from Lachey, whose face ‘turned bright red’ upon seeing her.

Once he realized he was on the same plane as his ex, the duo had ‘zero interaction,’ according to the site.  

However a People source described the run-in as ‘amicable and cordial.’ 

Her estranged husband Eric Johnson was in coach with their three kids; seen in 2022 

Lachey is now married to Vanessa Minnillo and they share three children; seen in 2021

‘They all had a nice conversation. Nick, Jessica and [Nick’s wife] Vanessa,’ a source told the site. ‘It was very amicable and cordial.’

Simpson and Lachey met through their manager in 1998, split for five months in 2001 before tying the knot in 2002.

They then starred on the MTV reality show Newlyweds from 2003 to 2005 which made them very famous.

They split in 2006 citing ‘irreconcilable differences’ in their divorce proceedings.

Lachey went on to marry Vanessa Minnillo in 2011 and the pair now share three kids.