Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson are “living separately right now,” a source exclusively told Us Weekly after the couple sparked divorce speculation earlier this month.
The estranged duo — who were both seen without their wedding bands in recent months — are “trying to figure out a separation without disrupting their kids’ lives as much as possible,” a second insider said, noting Simpson, 44, and Johnson, 45, are “still figuring things out.”
A third source told Us, “Jessica is heartbroken,” explaining the separation has been “an incredibly difficult time” for the singer. “[It was] not an easy decision for her,” the insider said.
Prior to her relationship with Johnson, Simpson was married to Nick Lachey from 2002 to 2006. (Johnson was also married before to Keri D’Angelo.)
Simpson moved on with Johnson in May 2010, and they were engaged six months later.
The pair welcomed their first child, daughter Maxwell, in May 2012 and son Ace in June 2013 before tying the knot in July 2014. Simpson and the former NFL player expanded their brood once again in March 2019 with the arrival of daughter Birdie.
The following year, Simpson released her memoir, Open Book, and gushed about her connection with Johnson, whom she said was a constant support.
“In terms of my marriage to Eric, I have never felt more myself or more free,” Simpson exclusively told Us in February 2020. “Eric and I have a true mind, body [and] soul connection.”
In July 2021, Johnson returned the favor in honor of their seventh wedding anniversary. “Jessica, I love you. 7 years into marriage and you still make me laugh just as hard as day one. I had fun yesterday celebrating us,” he wrote via Instagram at the time. “Our kids bring us so much joy and they could not be luckier to have such a fiercely empowered, unique, beautiful mama. I love you, babe!!! Happy Anniversary!”
The duo continued to show each other affection on social media over the next two years. However, Simpson raised eyebrows in late 2023 and earlier this year when she was spotted without her diamond sparkler on her left hand in several Instagram photos.
Simpson and Johnson briefly quieted split speculation in April when they went on a family trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
When eagle-eye fans noticed on Tuesday, November 12, that Johnson was not wearing his wedding ring while out in Los Angeles, the rumors picked back up. The third insider exclusively told Us, “Neither of them has worn a ring in several months.”
Jessica’s sister, Ashlee Simpson Ross, then denied the divorce chatter while speaking with TMZ on Tuesday, but rumors continued to swirl.
Jessica and Johnson have yet to publicly address their alleged separation. Instead, the second source told Us they are currently focused on their kids. “They are both really committed to the wellbeing of the kids and trying to figure out what’s best for them,” the insider added.
Us Weekly reached out to a rep for the couple, but they did not respond to requests for comment.
Reporting by Travis Cronin and Amanda Williams
