Nick Lachey confirmed that he and ex-wife Jessica Simpson unexpectedly crossed paths on a flight. The news was reported in early April, but neither side talked about the experience until now. Lachey and Simpson were one of the biggest couples in the 2000s, even starring in their own reality show for MTV. They were married for about four years before parting ways and have never crossed paths since their divorce until last month’s plane encounter.
In early April, news outlets reported that former husband and wife Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson were together on a plane en route to Hawaii from Los Angeles at the end of March. At that time, sources said the exes did everything they could to avoid each other, as The Blast previously reported.
Lachey was recently a guest on “Watch What Happens Live,” where host Andy Cohen directly asked him whether it was true that he and Simpson saw each other on a plane. Laughing, Lachey said yes, it was true. “It was strangely okay,” he said, explaining that it had been two decades since their divorce and they had never seen each other in those years.
Lachey continued to say they “spent six and a half hours on a flight” together, making it clear that by “spent” he meant they were within proximity to each other.
The Singer Said Everyone Was Cordial
As TMZ reported in April, sources said there was no interaction between the exes, with Simpson even switching her seats to avoid her ex-husband. Lachey, however, said that the enouncter was “very, very cordial, very respectful.” He confirmed that he was with his wife, Vanessa, and their children in first class.
Simpson was also in first class with her mother, and Lachey noted that Eric Johnson, who Simpson is separated from, was in a different part of the plane with their kids. “It was honestly fine,” Lachey repeated, implying that nothing bad or awkward happened during the unexpected meeting.
Lachey seemed to confirm what one insider told PEOPLE in April. “They all had a nice conversation. Nick, Jessica, and Vanessa. It was very amicable and cordial,” the insider shared.
Nick Lachey And Jessica Simpson’s Relationship
Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson met in the late ’90s at a Christmas event in L.A. Years later, Lachey recalled that moment and said he was smitten with the singer, finding himself searching for her all night. They began dating soon after.
In 2000, the couple worked on a song together, “Where You Are,” which was included in Simpson’s album “Sweet Kisses.” Lachey and Simpson broke up in 2001, as the latter wanted to focus on her music. After 9/11, however, they got back together, with Simpson explaining that the horrific event changed her perspective. “I knew that I never, ever wanted to be away from Nick ever for the rest of my life,” she said.
The couple married in Texas in 2002 in front of about 300 guests.
The Couple Grew Apart And Separated After Three Years
Lachey and Simpson starred in the MTV reality show “Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica,” which ran for three seasons from 2003 to 2005. Fans were able to get a glimpse of the couple’s dynamic behind closed doors. Sometime in 2005, there were speculations that the couple had split up. There were also rumors that Simpson had an affair with her “Dukes of Hazzard” co-star, Johnny Knoxville.
Knoxville and Simpson denied the rumors, but in her 2020 memoir, the singer revealed she had an “emotional affair” with the actor and stunt performer. Lachey and Simpson confirmed their separation in 2005, with the latter filing for divorce months later, citing irreconcilable differences. The divorce was finalized in 2006.
Nick Lachey Is Happily Married To Vanessa
Lachey began dating Vanessa sometime in 2006, and they married in an intimate ceremony in 2011. They share three children: 13-year-old son Camden, 11-year-old daughter Brooklyn, and another son, 9-year-old Phoenix.
The husband and wife also work together, sharing hosting duties for the reality dating show “Love Is Blind.” According to Lachey, it takes discipline to keep their professional and personal lives separate. “I think that’s our golden rule, is don’t bring work home, don’t bring home to work. Try and keep it as separate as you can,” he said.
