“It was a weak moment for me”— When Jessica Simpson opened up about her alcohol struggles

Jessica Simpson has always been candid about the highs and lows of her life, but her 2020 memoir, Open Book, revealed one of her most personal battles yet: her struggle with alcohol addiction.

In a striking revelation, Simpson admitted she was under the influence during her much-criticized 2017 appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. The confession shed new light on her journey to sobriety, which began shortly after that period, and her determination to rebuild her life.

During the interview, Jessica Simpson said,

"I can’t even watch the interview. I can’t watch it. It was a weak moment for me and I wasn’t in the right place."

Looking back, the singer, fashion designer, and mother of three describes 2017 as the year her drinking spiraled out of control. Her turning point came on Halloween, a day she recalls with deep regret. That moment of realization, however, led her to take the first steps toward sobriety and reclaim her life.

Today, Jessica celebrates over seven years of being alcohol-free, a testament to her resilience and commitment to change.

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What did Jessica Simpson say about her alcohol struggles?

Jessica Simpson’s struggles with alcohol came to public attention during her infamous 2017 Ellen interview. While promoting her book on the Today show years later, she admitted to being drunk during that appearance, a moment that social media had speculated about at the time.

Simpson recalled watching the footage and feeling unable to recognize herself.

“I can’t even watch it. It was a weak moment for me. I wasn’t in the right place, and I had started a spiral I couldn’t stop,” she said.

During the interview, Simpson appeared visibly disoriented, slurring her speech and struggling to complete her thoughts. She later revealed that her drinking had become constant, fueled by insecurities and emotional pain. Her ever-present glitter cup, which many assumed was harmless, often held more than just water.

The situation reached a breaking point on Halloween 2017. Simpson began drinking early in the day and, by evening, found herself unable to dress her children, Maxwell and Ace, for trick-or-treating.

Although she posted a picture-perfect family photo dressed as Willie Nelson on Instagram, the reality was far from what the image portrayed.

“I took the picture and made the world think I showed up,” she later confessed.

In truth, she couldn’t recall who had helped her children prepare for Halloween. That night became her rock bottom, and the next day, she decided to quit drinking for good.

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Jessica Simpson celebrates seven years of sobriety

Jessica Simpson marked a personal milestone on November 1, 2024, celebrating seven years of sobriety. She shared a reflective Instagram post featuring a black-and-white photo of herself looking out of an airplane window. The caption read,

“Seven years ago today, I walked myself into the light of being alcohol-free.”

In her memoir, Simpson candidly detailed the challenges she faced in overcoming her addiction. She described how alcohol became a way to mask her insecurities and numb her emotional pain.

“The drinking wasn’t the issue. I was. I didn’t love myself,” she wrote.

Jessica Simpson revealed that the process of quitting alcohol required her to confront her inner demons, including feelings of failure, brokenness, and self-doubt.

Reflecting on her journey, Simpson emphasized the importance of self-acceptance and addressing the underlying issues that fueled her dependence on alcohol.

“There’s so much stigma around the word alcoholism, but I realized I had to take responsibility for my choices and make peace with my past,” she noted.

Over time, she worked on embracing the painful moments of her life while reclaiming her personal power.

For Simpson, sobriety is more than just abstaining from alcohol; it’s about embracing a life of clarity and self-respect. She shared,

“I am wildly honest and comfortably open. I’ve accepted the sad parts of my life, and I’ve made peace with my fears. I am free.”

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For the unversed, Jessica Simpson has split from Eric Johnson after 10 years of marriage.