These are photos of Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson in New York yesterday. Fame Pictures says they were headed into an “office building”. Which makes me think that Jessica is involving Eric in all of her business decisions. I don’t know if she actually is doing that, I just know that it’s what I fear for her. That Jessica is so loved-up that she thinks that there’s nothing wrong with putting her dude on her payroll and inviting him to speak (for her?) during her business meetings.

Speaking of Jessica and money, there have been rumors flying around heavily this week that Jessica is one of the leading contenders to be a judge on Simon Cowell’s new import/export, The X-Factor. The X-Factor is a HUGE show in England, and Cheryl Cole’s career exploded when she became a judge on the British version. Could Jessica be in for the same thing?

Well, the nothing has been confirmed as of yet. Entertainment Weekly and Reuters are saying that Jessica is a long-shot, and that Simon first choices are people like Paula Abdul, Mariah Carey, George Michael, and Nicole Scherzinger (The Pussycat Dolls). However, People Magazine’s sources say that Jess is a front-runner:

Although buzz about which celebrities could join Simon Cowell’s new show The X Factor is already going strong, a new name has been added to the mix. Jessica Simpson is a frontrunner to become one of the judges alongside Cowell, a show insider tells PEOPLE.

“There [are] loads of conversations happening at the moment,” says the source. “No one has been offered a judging role yet as new names keep coming forward who want the role, but there are some frontrunners and it’s fair to say Jessica is one of them. She’s very keen.”

Simpson, 30, has the skills needed for this particular format, which features a $5 million recording contract as the grand prize, says the insider. Still, there are a lot of factors that go in to making the final choice.

“She knows what she is talking about [and] is talented and likable,” the source says. “But Simon’s not in a rush to decide. The judges have to mentor on The X Factor – it’s more than just turning up for a few hours a week to appear on TV.”

The judges will have to “work with contestants on music, dancers, styling,” the source continues. “It’s a lot of work.”

The X Factor, which is already a hit in Cowell’s native U.K., will debut in the U.S. on FOX in the fall, so producers have time to make a careful choice.

“They have to get the decision right, which takes time,” the source says. “Those final decisions may not happen for a few weeks.”

[From People]

I honestly think it wouldn’t be a horrible decision to make Jessica a judge. She’s not the brightest bulb, nor the most hard-working, but she is likeable and sweet, and she’s immensely “watchable”. That being said, out of the list of people given, I’d say they would likely go with Nicole WhatsIt.

Photos courtesy of Fame.