During the November 2022 reunion of the third season of Love Is Blind, Nick Lachey jokingly said that marriage is often better the second time around. While it seemed like a casual comment, it really resonated with viewers.
Because they remember Lachey’s first time. And don’t we all, for that matter?
It’s been nearly 24 years since Nick Lachey married Jessica Simpson, and while they’ve both moved on with their lives, the spark they once had as a couple is still remembered. They recently ran into each other on a flight to Hawaii after 20 years, which Lachey said was surprisingly comfortable. Plus, with TikTokâs popularity, interest in past celebrity moments is experiencing a revival.
You know, as someone who’s followed pop culture for years, it’s always fascinating to see how old moments can suddenly resurface and grab everyone’s attention. I was chatting with Bustle in 2023 about it, and it’s true â those Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica clips were getting a whole new life online, and it just shows the power of a little publicity, even years later!
To be fair, Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson actively involved the public in their relationship, and millions of people eagerly followed along.
There was a time when couples appearing in reality shows about their personal lives didn’t immediately seem like a bad idea.
Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson, married on October 26, 2002, helped create a new kind of reality TV show. Their willingness to star in Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica was groundbreaking for both MTV and the entertainment world.
When their show first aired on August 19, 2003, theyâd been married for a little while, but the premiere featured dreamy wedding footage and intimate home videos set to 98 Degreesâ song, âI Do (Cherish You).â It was a fitting start â what better way to suggest a lasting commitment than having the groom perform the theme song?
Just a few years later, they became a prime example of why couples should generally avoid reality shows centered around their relationship. Success stories where a couple’s relationship survives such a show are now rare.
Despite saying she has no regrets about being on Newlyweds, Jessica Simpson and Nick Lacheyâs highly publicized marriage hasn’t aged well. Itâs now mostly remembered for a handful of iconic â and often embarrassing â moments, like the Chicken of the Sea commercial, Jessicaâs song âSweetest Sin,â and the news of their divorce filing in December 2005.
Simpson described their wedding night as the best moment of their life. They were especially grateful it was a special experience, saying, ‘I’m so glad it wasn’t something awkward like losing my virginity in a Jeep. This wedding was amazing, and it was the perfect way to celebrate.’
While attraction and the potential for career success played a role, Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey initially hoped their relationship would lead to a lasting, happy marriage, despite the show ultimately revealing their differences.
I remember when Jessica and Nick first got together â it was back in 1999, while they were on tour! It was so clear even then how perfect they were for each other. Nick actually told CBS News, in an interview with Jessica, that the very first time he heard her sing, he got goosebumps. He even told his bandmates in 98 Degrees that he knew right then and there he was going to marry her someday. It was seriously the sweetest thing!
Simpson confidently stated they were completely in love. Lachey agreed, admitting it sounded a bit cliché, but still felt good.
So why not share all that hokey, cheesy love with the world?
Jessica’s father, Joe Simpson, who also managed her at the time, arranged their TV show deal with MTV and remained heavily involved in their lives, along with Jess’s mother, Tina. Jessica herself said she saw the show as a way to help promote her album, In This Skin.
Nick and Jessica initially seemed like a great match, and their fans were fascinated by their relationship. People were intensely curious about their personal life â everything from their intimacy to their home and Jessicaâs wardrobe â and loved watching their playful interactions. They were also seen as a very attractive couple, with Nick often carrying Jessica.
This success opened doors for Simpson, allowing her to start new ventures. She created Jessica Simpson Desserts, her line of edible beauty products, and began developing the ideas that would grow into her incredibly successful, billion-dollar fashion and lifestyle brand.
Their differences quickly became a problem. While people often talked about a “reality TV curse,” those who watched them at the time believed their marriage was doomed regardless. In fact, having the cameras around â and a shared reason to participate in the show â might have actually prolonged the inevitable.
In her 2020 memoir, Open Book, Jessica Simpson described how she and her then-husband were constantly in the public eye as early reality TV stars. While they thrived professionally, they struggled with privacy and the pressures of maintaining a perfect image. She explained that they were heavily criticized by the media and, more importantly, by themselves. Simpson felt she couldnât pretend to fans that their relationship was flawless, and she couldnât offer false hope about a ‘perfect’ romance.
Do you remember when Lachey got upset with Simpson for splurging on expensive lingerie â $750 for La Perla â and luxury sheets costing $1,200? He also didn’t seem thrilled with Simpson’s close friend, CaCee Cobb, when she visited. And after discussing their relationship so openly, they couldn’t even agree on how often to be intimate. In one episode, Lachey suggested three times a week, which clearly made Simpson uncomfortable.
In a 2017 interview with Complex, Newlyweds producer Sue Kolinsky remembered feeling a clear tension between Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey. She noted they were very different people, and the interview showed people were still curious about the details of their past relationship.
He was a practical, hands-on person â he and his brother often built things themselves, according to Kolinsky. He was careful with money, while she enjoyed expensive things, and ultimately, they werenât a good match. Music was really the only thing they shared. She was quite a bit younger than him, I believe he was seven years her senior. He wanted to start a family, and her father worried she might not have been ready.
When Jessica Simpson jokingly called her first marriage her “biggest money mistake,” she wasn’t referring to expensive purchases. She made this comment in a 2015 interview on CNBCâs Closing Bell, which itself shows a level of financial achievement.
In a 2020 appearance on Dr. Oz, she revealed that Nick had proposed a prenuptial agreement, but she was deeply hurt by it. She felt it suggested he doubted their relationship would last a lifetime.
While they were married, their careers were growing at different speeds. Nick Lachey remained well-known as a member of 98 Degrees, but Jessica Simpson, who became famous through the reality show Newlyweds, was quickly becoming a bigger star. She even revealed in her memoir, Open Book, that she turned down a role in The Notebook because the filmmakers wouldnât remove a sex scene.
Although their show became notorious for portraying a failing marriage, there was a genuine connection between them. Many fans were genuinely saddened when their relationship ended.
Looking back at Jessica and Nick’s relationship, it’s interesting to see how things unfolded. While Jessica really embraced the excitement of those first years of marriage, Nick found huge success with the emotional title track from his 2006 album, ‘What’s Left of Me.’ Honestly, that song remains his biggest hit as a solo artist â it really resonated with people!
Lachey clarified that the album wasn’t meant to be spiteful towards Simpson. In an MTV special called What’s Left of Me, which aired in April 2006âfive months after Simpson filed for divorceâhe explained it was more about his own feelings and experiences.
Lachey admitted that some songs on his album, released in May, revealed how hurt he was feeling. He said he was surprised by the breakup, but optimistic about finding love in the future.
Honestly, I really hope I find love again someday. The thought of being alone forever â the grumpy uncle, the lifelong bachelor â just isnât appealing. I keep telling myself thatâs not how my story ends. I always pictured a life with someone, and for a while, I had that. My marriage felt like my whole life, and itâs hard to imagine anything else now, but Iâm still holding out hope for a future with someone special.
Simpson put her side of the story to productive use as well.
Her album, A Public Affair, came out in August 2006. It would have been a letdown if the songs hadn’t addressed her recent divorce.
Jessica Simpson explained that the song ‘A Public Affair’ is intentionally misleading. While many assumed it was about her personal life with Nick Lachey, she clarified it’s actually about enjoying a night out with her friends and escaping the constant attention of the paparazzi. She said the paparazzi can quickly spoil a fun evening.
But her cover of Patty Griffin‘s “Let Him Fly” did have a particular meaning.
Simpson remembers listening to the song with her sister, Ashlee Simpson-Ross, in December 2005, while Ashleeâs marriage was falling apart, and how strongly it affected her.
She explained they listened to the song and both cried uncontrollably. Her sister was a huge source of strength during a difficult period, and simply being with her helped her cope. She felt a sense of peace knowing things would eventually be alright. The songâs message â knowing when to let go â resonated deeply, and that moment was exactly what she needed to finally accept things and sing the song.
Jessica Simpson dated several well-known figures, including John Mayer and Tony Romo, before marrying Eric Johnson, a former football player, in 2014. They have three children: Maxwell Drew, 14, Ace Knute, 12, and Birdie Mae, 7. Simpson announced their separation in January 2025.
She described her breakup as incredibly painful, but remained optimistic about the future. In an interview with People magazine that February, she shared that she had matured significantly and felt capable of handling lifeâs challenges, adding that she might be destined to love many people throughout her life.
Just months after his divorce, Lachey unexpectedly ran into his wife of nearly 15 years.
Before marrying Vanessa Lachey (then known as Vanessa Minnillo) in 2011, their relationship had a few ups and downs. However, they quickly felt a strong connection after she appeared in his music video for “What’s Left of Me,” helping him recover from a difficult time.
Speaking to Access Hollywood in 2009 about his divorce from Jessica Simpson, he simply said, “Thatâs just life.” He explained that there are usually many reasons why a marriage ends, often more than either person fully understands or wants to discuss. He added that sometimes people come into your life for a specific period, and circumstances change.
Lachey said he and Simpson had stopped speaking at the time. However, when he announced his engagement to Vanessa the next year, Simpson told Ryan Seacrest on KIIS-FM that she was genuinely thrilled for him.
Okay, so everyone was saying she was secretly devastated by everything, but when asked, she totally acted like she had no idea what people were talking about! It was⊠weird. Like she was pretending she wasnât hurting, or maybe she really wasnât? I just⊠I canât stop thinking about it.
“You know, our relationship was over a really long time ago, so it would be nice if everybody could move on with us and really just celebrate the love between him and Vanessa,” Simpson said. “I do, and I wish them nothing but the best.”
In November 2021, Drew Lachey told Andy Cohen on SiriusXM that he hadn’t read his ex-wife’s book, even though it had been out for almost two years, and had no plans to.
He emphasized that he had firsthand experience. “I don’t need to rely on stories or other people’s accounts,” he said, “because I know what really happened.”
Oh my gosh, can you believe it? Nick Lachey! He’s totally transformed his life! Now he’s happily married to Vanessa and they have the cutest kids â Camden, who’s 13, and Phoenix, who’s 9, plus their daughter Brooklyn, who’s 11. It’s just⊠a whole different world for him now, and I’m living for it!
He told Andy Cohen he’s very happy with where he is now. Reflecting on his marriage to Simpson, which ended two decades ago, he said it rarely crosses his mind unless someone mentions it. He understands the public’s curiosity, but it’s simply no longer relevant to his life. He and Simpson are both living their own lives, and he feels thatâs how it should be.
Seriously, isn’t it the worst when someone brings it up?
Although Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey had a relatively smooth split compared to other celebrity couples whose breakups remain public news, people still remember how much audiences loved their show, Newlyweds. Fans stayed invested for a long time, even after Simpson and Lachey themselves knew it was time to go their separate ways.
And they’re hardly alone. See which other former couples may have been cursed by doing reality TV:
By the time the eighth season of The Real Housewives of New York City was halfway through, news surfaced that Jules’ husband, Michael, had filed for divorce after eight years. Interestingly, the episode airing that same night already hinted at problems in their marriage, making the timing seem quite coincidental.
Viewers were introduced to Cynthia Bailey on season three of Real Housewives of Atlanta, and her whirlwind romance with Peter unfolded quickly â they got engaged, planned a wedding, and married all in the same season, despite her family’s disapproval. (Who could forget her mom and sister trying to hide the marriage license on the wedding day?) Their marriage was often troubled by Peterâs financial problems and questionable actions. By season eight, Peter had moved out, and shortly after filming ended, they announced their separation.
Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey were one of the first truly famous couples from reality TV. Their MTV show in 2003 captivated audiences with its honest portrayal of their relationship, particularly Jessica’s down-to-earth personality â who could forget her famous question about whether something was chicken or fish? Sadly, after three years of marriage and 41 episodes, they divorced.
When Lynne and Frank first appeared on The Real Housewives of Orange County in season four, they were known for their lavish spending. However, by season five, Lynne discovered Frank had been poorly managing their finances, and she was shocked to receive an eviction notice while filming. The couple divorced soon after.
Jon and Kate Gosselin started out as a seemingly typical, if somewhat chaotic, couple raising eight young children. But when their show, Jon and Kate Plus Eight, became popular, everything changed. Kate underwent a dramatic makeover with long blonde hair and a tan, while Jon embraced a flashy style and began partying. Their marriage quickly fell apart, and the public lost sympathy for both of them. Eventually, the family disappeared from the public eye⊠until recently.
Okay, seriously, this one really hurts. I’ve been watching Yolanda and David since she first joined the Housewives, and they always seemed so perfect, even with everything Yolanda was going through with her Lyme disease. It felt like they were genuinely happy! They were married for four years, together for nine, and honestly, I just can’t wrap my head around this divorce news. I’ve been following their story so closely, and it all seemed so good⊠what happened? I’m genuinely heartbroken and confused â how could this amazing couple fall apart?
Absolutely not! But at least their brief 2005 reality show on Bravo gave us a memorable catchphrase. The late star was initially reluctant to participate, feeling it focused on her husband’s career. However, she later shared with Oprah that she agreed to do it to support Bobby, saying she just wanted to be a supportive wife and do what he asked. Despite harsh reviews, the show wasn’t picked up for another season because she refused to return. After 14 years together, the couple legally separated in September 2006.
Camille Grammer entered the first season of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills with a particularly famous husband: Kelsey Grammer, the well-known sitcom actor. However, their marriage appeared troubled from the start, as Kelsey was rarely seen on camera or around Los Angeles. It wasnât shocking that they were divorcing by the end of the season, but many were surprised by how unpleasant Kelsey behaved.
Hulk Hogan, the legendary wrestler who became a pop culture icon, once gave viewers a peek into his personal life with a reality show that followed his family for four seasons. The show featured his wife, Linda, who loved animals, their daughter Brooke, who dreamed of pop stardom, and their mischievous son, Nick. Not long after the show ended in 2007, Linda filed for divorce, and the aftermath played out on a spin-off series called Brooke Knows Best.
Tamra became a cast member on The Real Housewives of Orange County during its third season while married to her second husband, Simon. Over the next three seasons, viewers witnessed their difficult and ultimately messy divorce, culminating in Tamra announcing her intention to divorce him on the show’s fifth season finale. It was a very public and unpleasant split. Tamra later found love with Eddie Judge during season six, and they married between seasons eight and nine, hoping for a more successful relationship.
I was so thrilled when Bethenny finally found someone genuinely good in Jason Hoppy! It felt so right after watching her navigate life on RHONY. And I loved following her journey with Bethenny Getting Married and Bethenny Ever After. Sadly, it was heartbreaking to watch her own difficult family history creep into her marriage. Those insecurities really seemed to drive a wedge between her and Jason, and it all ended in a really tough custody battle over their sweet little Bryn. It was just so sad to see.
Even with everything going on â her divorce and the end of her talk show â Bethenny seems to be handling it well. She recently shared that she’s feeling positive and views life as a process, saying, “I’m moving forward, and I’m trying to do the right thing.”
As a longtime fan, I always felt Vicki Gunvalson deserved more! Her second husband, Donn, just didn’t seem to be enough for her. She’s such a driven, hardworking woman, and honestly, he was pretty bland and often out of work. It was clear they weren’t connecting, and sadly, they ended up divorcing because she wasn’t getting the emotional fulfillment she needed.
Wow, the 2005 mini-series Chaotic truly lived up to its name, especially when it came to Britney Spears and Kevin Federlineâs relationship. The show featured personal home videos where Britney shared far too much about her private life, making for some seriously awkward viewing. It’s hard to believe no one advised her against releasing such intimate footage. After just two years of marriage and having two sons, the couple divorced, and this marked the beginning of a difficult period for Britney.
Britney eventually admitted her album Chaotic was a mistake, calling it “the worst thing I’ve done in my career.” Most people would agree!
Ramona and Mario Singer were often held up as the gold standard for relationships among the Real Housewives of New York City. Ramona frequently flaunted their seemingly perfect marriage, especially when her friends were going through divorces. While many might have enjoyed seeing Mario’s affair and their subsequent split after six seasons of boasting, Ramona genuinely seemed heartbroken by the betrayal. Looking back, Marioâs infidelity casts a shadow on all those years of public displays of affection â including their lavish vow renewal â making it seem like their happiness wasnât entirely genuine.
It seems their marriage didn’t last, did it? The wedding of the rock star and the Baywatch actress was famously dark and unusual, and MTV filmed it all in a seven-part series back in 2004. Unfortunately, Carmen filed for divorce less than three years later, in 2006.
Their divorce is playing out very publicly! The breakup between the reality TV star and former NFL player, after just two years of marriage, has been heavily featured on their show. It was especially shocking when Porsha discovered Kordell had filed for divorce on Twitter.
Is there a Real Housewives star who’s embraced the role of wife more than Luann? When The Real Housewives of New York City first aired, she was known as The Countess and carefully crafted an image around the prestige of her title. Although her husband left her in 2009 following reports of an affair with Kemeria Abajobir Abajifar, she continues to refer to herself as The Countess.
It came as a surprise to many in Hollywood when Clint Eastwood, the famous actor and director, signed on to appear in a reality show produced by TopMob. However, the show actually focused on his wife, Dina â a band manager â and their daughters, Francesca and Morgan. Clint only made occasional appearances. After 17 years of marriage, Dina filed for divorce in October 2013, having previously attempted a legal separation earlier in the year but later withdrawn the request.
Another celebrity couple who found fame on MTV has split up. Though their relationship was known for its ups and downs, the reality show Meet the Barkers, which followed Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker and former Miss USA Shanna Moakler along with their three children, didnât show that side of things. After the show ended in 2006, Travis filed for divorce, but the couple continued to reconcile and separate â Shanna even famously threw a divorce party that same year â until finally divorcing in 2009.
Phaedra Parks entered the Atlanta social scene during season three while expecting a child and married to Apollo Nida, a man with a criminal past whom she had previously represented legally. Their relationship seemed solid, despite the unusual way they met, until Kenya Moore joined the cast in season five. Things became complicated when Apollo began flirting with Kenya, and their marriage soon unraveled. Ultimately, Apolloâs conviction for bank fraud between seasons six and seven revealed that Phaedra wasn’t willing to stand by her husband despite his legal troubles.
Corey and Leah’s relationship was famously followed by cameras on the shows 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom. They got married in 2011 with MTV filming the event, but their marriage didn’t last. Leah filed for divorce only six months later, and there were reports that Corey had spent their savings on a truck. Both have since remarried, which isn’t surprising given how young they were when they first got together.
Married in 2002, the former Real Housewife and her husband, a plastic surgeon known from the show Dr. 90210, publicly dealt with their separation on Bravo TV when Paul filed for divorce in 2012.
Christopher Knight, known from The Brady Bunch, and Adrianne Curry, winner of America’s Next Top Model, found love in an unusual place: reality TV. They met while competing on The Surreal Life in 2005, where Adrianne reportedly took the lead in pursuing Christopher. Their connection led to their own show, My Fair Brady, which first documented their engagement and then their wedding plans. Later seasons explored their disagreements about starting a family. After five years of marriage, the couple publicly discussed their struggles on Dr. Phil before ultimately divorcing in 2011.
PHOTOS: Most surprising celeb breakups
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