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Jessica Simpson and Estranged Husband Eric Johnson Reunite in Las Vegas for Ashlee Simpson’s Residency Kickoff
Jessica Simpson and her estranged husband, Eric Johnson, were spotted together this weekend, fueling speculation about the status of their relationship just months after they announced their separation.
On Friday, Aug. 29, the pair was spotted boarding a flight from Burbank, California, to Las Vegas — notably without their three children, Maxwell “Maxi” Drew, 13, Ace Knute, 12, and Birdie Mae, 6. According to footage obtained by TMZ, the former couple later attended Ashlee Simpson’s I Am Me residency kickoff show at Voltaire inside The Venetian Resort.
A Coordinated Appearance
Jessica Simpson opted for a laid-back look in oversized sunglasses and a red crewneck, while Eric Johnson sported a Georgia Tech baseball cap with a casual button-down layered over a black T-shirt. The two were seen arriving at the venue together, mingling with friends and family before Ashlee, 40, hit the stage.
Though Jessica and Eric initially stood close, they appeared to drift apart during the performance. Fan videos circulating on TikTok showed Jessica joyfully singing along to her sister Ashlee Simpson’s hit “Pieces of Me” near the front of the stage. Meanwhile, Johnson kept a lower profile, standing further back.
Adding to the family vibe, Ashlee Simpson’s husband Evan Ross surprised his wife on stage with a hug mid-performance, drawing cheers from the crowd.
Jessica Simpson with Eric Johnson
A Painful Separation
Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson announced their split in January after 10 years of marriage. In a statement to PEOPLE, the pop star and fashion mogul revealed that the couple had been “living separately” while prioritizing their children.
“Eric and I have been navigating a painful situation in our marriage,” Jessica Simpson said at the time. “Our children come first, and we are focusing on what is best for them.”
The news came months after Johnson was spotted without his wedding ring in late 2024, with insiders noting that the couple had already begun leading “separate lives.”
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Healing Through Music
Despite the heartbreak, Simpson has leaned into her artistry, releasing her Nashville Canyon, Pt. 1 EP earlier this year. She revealed that songwriting became a form of therapy during her marriage struggles.
“I’ve grown up so much. I can handle so much,” Simpson told PEOPLE. “Maybe I’m just meant to love a lot of people in my life. 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.”
While their joint appearance in Las Vegas may have been about supporting Ashlee’s big moment, fans couldn’t help but wonder whether Jessica and Eric are finding their way back to each other — or simply redefining what family looks like post-separation.
Either way, their united front proves that even in the midst of personal change, family remains at the center of the Simpsons’ world.
