Nick Lachey Details Run-In With Jessica Simpson 20 Years After Split

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Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson’s impromptu reunion is now officially a public affair.

Oh my gosh, you guys, it’s TRUE! After all the rumors started almost two months ago about Nick Lachey – yes, the Nick Lachey from 98 Degrees – bumping into Jessica on a plane, he finally confirmed it! They actually saw each other! It’s been so long since their divorce was finalized back in 2006, I can’t even believe it! I’ve been following this story obsessively, and to hear it’s real… it’s everything!

He told Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live that reconnecting with someone after 20 years was surprisingly alright. They hadn’t seen each other for two decades, but ended up on a six-and-a-half-hour flight to Hawaii together – though he clarified they weren’t necessarily together together, just in the same general area.

Nick Lachey, the host of Love Is Blind, shared that he was on vacation with his wife, Vanessa Lachey, and their children. Meanwhile, Jessica Lachey was traveling with her mother, her ex-husband Eric Johnson, and their kids.

“Everyone was very, very cordial, very respectful,” Nick added. “It was honestly fine.”

Oh my gosh, he talked about Newlyweds! It’s like, the show that basically made me fall in love with him in the first place! Before all this, he was reminiscing about filming it with his ex – you know, the one from 2003 to 2005? It’s so rare to hear him talk about that time, and I was completely glued to every word! I seriously need to rewatch the whole series now.

In a 2025 episode of Richer Lives, Nick explained that Newlyweds unexpectedly became a major reality TV hit, even though it originally began as a way to showcase music.

We both had new albums releasing around the same time,” he explained. “We didn’t anticipate it would turn into a reality show where people felt like they were observing our lives firsthand.

The show’s surprising success brought Nick a whole new group of fans.

He explained that reality TV gave him the chance to show people who he really was, beyond just being a performer. He said it even made him seem approachable – people would tell him they’d enjoy just hanging out and having a beer with him.

In fact, for Nick, the reality series “opened up a different world” for him as an entertainer.

You know, I recently had someone tell me they’d never really let anyone see their true self before. And it was so interesting to hear them explain how that realization actually freed them. They said it allowed them to finally feel comfortable just being themselves, and honestly, that’s something we all strive for, isn’t it? It’s amazing how powerful authenticity can be.

For more exes who remained on friendly terms after their split, read on…

He explained that reality TV gave him the chance to show the world who he really was – not just a performer, but Nick Lachey as a person. He said that even other men started to see him as relatable and someone they’d enjoy spending time with.

In fact, for Nick, the reality series “opened up a different world” for him as an entertainer.

He explained that no one had ever seen him like that before, and it helped him feel truly comfortable with who he was.

For more exes who remained on friendly terms after their split, read on…

They are definitely not getting back together. However, with all the recent interactions – birthday celebrations, affectionate hugs, and even playfully acting out a romantic scene during the virtual reading of Fast Times at Ridgemont High – it feels like they’re just teasing everyone who hoped they’d reconcile.

It takes a certain level of confidence to playfully tease your ex on his own show. That’s exactly what Sarah did when she appeared on Jimmy’s talk show to promote her new series, I Love You, America, and jokingly commented on his wife, Molly Kimmel, calling her “cute,” “bright,” and “funny.” She quipped, “It’s not fair! She got the updated, more aware Jimmy. I only got the Man Show Jimmy.”

 

Honestly, it seems like some people are still more upset about this breakup than the people who actually went through it. When Anna—who is now married to Michael Barrett—found out Chris Pratt was getting married to Katherine Schwarzenegger in 2019, she volunteered to perform the ceremony. She even sent a gift when their daughter, Lyla, was born in August 2020. A source told TopMob News that Anna was “very supportive” and happy for her son, Jack, to have a little sister.

Their breakup could have easily led to disaster, but four years later, these HGTV stars are thriving. They’re successfully co-parenting their children, Taylor and Brayden, and continuing to renovate rundown houses into beautiful homes for others.

Lenny Kravitz and Lisa Bonet, who have a daughter, actress Zoe Kravitz, still feel deeply connected, describing themselves as ‘best friends’ in a 2013 interview with Oprah Winfrey. Despite their divorce and Lisa’s subsequent marriage to and split from Jason Momoa in 2020, they maintain a close, supportive relationship. Lenny described it as a ‘beautiful’ example of how families can evolve and thrive.

Since announcing their split in 2020, the Dancing With the Stars co-host and her former hockey player husband have consistently shown they remain friendly with each other.

When Brooks announced he was getting married to Katrín Tanja Davíðsdóttir in December 2024, Julianne shared her excitement on Instagram. She wrote a message wishing them both a lifetime of happiness, fun, and exciting experiences as they start this new chapter together.

The dancer, her ex-husband, and his pregnant fiancée all spent a day together at the lake. She shared a photo of the four of them, calling them ‘these three cuties’ and describing it as a ‘special day’.

After separating in 2015, the parents of Violet, Seraphina, and Samuel have successfully co-parented, managing to take family vacations together, celebrate holidays as a unit, and publicly support each other. In a 2016 interview with TopMob News, Ben even praised his ex-partner as “an amazing mother.”

I was really sad when Nina and Ian broke up back in 2013 – they seemed so good together! But I’ve always admired how they managed to stay friends. It was interesting to see Nina move on and start dating Nikki Reed in 2014, and even more amazing when they got married so quickly! Of course, Nina and Nikki became friends too, and it’s nice to see everyone getting along.

The couple broke up in July 2016 after being together for five years. The singer later shared on Howard Stern’s radio show in October that she remained very close to her ex, saying he had been both a lover and a friend for a long time.

“We love each other,” she said. “That’s it.”

Even years after The Office ended in 2013, the chemistry between its stars remained obvious, and Mindy Kaling understands why fans still hope they’d get together. She explained to Good Housekeeping in 2019 that choosing him as a godfather to her children felt natural, adding that he’s become more like family than just a friend.

After their divorce was finalized in 2011, the former couple easily continued to raise their son, Bronx. The Fall Out Boy singer has praised his ex-wife, calling her a fantastic mother.

Looks like she’s moved on from those past rumors! The singer from the Jonas Brothers recently shared that he and his former partner are on good terms. He described their connection as simply being friendly and having a positive relationship.

Jennifer and her Dexter co-star first met while working on the show in 2006, and their relationship became romantic two years later. Despite divorcing in 2011, Jennifer later confirmed they remained on good terms, with ‘nothing but love and respect’ for each other.

Bruce Willis and Demi Moore are famous for having a friendly post-divorce relationship, and it’s no surprise they decided to quarantine together with their daughters – Rumer, Tallulah, and Scout – at their Idaho home. Sounds like they’re making the most of it, maybe even with a dance party!

I’ve always admired Jennifer Lopez, and I was really touched by something she shared a few years ago. Even after her divorce from Marc Anthony – the father of her twins, Max and Emme – she spoke so highly of him. She was on Sunday Today in 2018 and explained how Marc actually boosted her confidence. He always told her she was a fantastic singer and encouraged her not to let anyone tell her otherwise. She has so much respect for him, considering him one of the greatest singers ever, and honestly, it’s just beautiful to see her acknowledge that, even after everything.

Despite any personal struggles, the actress remains supportive of her ex-husband and former Scream colleague. Eight years after their 2010 divorce, she said on Running Wild With Bear Grylls that it was a relatively amicable split. They’ve successfully co-parented their daughter, Coco, and maintain a good relationship.

Although their relationship ended in 2007, they still had great chemistry on screen when they starred together in the 2011 film Bad Teacher.

Although their 2013 breakup was difficult at first, the actors are now able to vacation together as a group. Speaking to LaPalme Magazine, the Twilight star shared that he enjoys a good relationship with his ex-wife’s husband. He described a 2017 trip to Cancun with her husband, Dave Abrams, her fiancé Lily Anne Harrison, and their three daughters – Luca, Lola, and Fiona. He also reflected on his connection with his ex-wife, Jennie, saying, “People enter your life for a reason, and relationships evolve. Just because you’re not together doesn’t mean you can’t still care for each other.”

Even though they unexpectedly separated in September 2012, the couple worked hard to appear supportive of each other for the sake of their children. In a 2014 interview with Howard Stern, she explained that she and Will remained very close friends and were successfully co-parenting. She didn’t view their ten-year marriage as a failure, believing that all relationships face challenges.

I’ve been following these two for a while now, and it’s so great to see how well they’re handling things even after their divorce was finalized earlier this year! They really seem to prioritize their son, Hayes, and it makes co-parenting so much easier that they live just five minutes apart. It’s a genuinely positive situation, and you can tell they’re both dedicated parents.

“Our stops are really easy,” Maren told The Zoe Report in May 2025, “and we’ll have family dinners.”

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2026-05-14 14:18