Did Nick Lachey just say that Joe Simpson used to hit on him?


Nick Lachey was a guest Monday on Watch What Happens Live, on Bravo. He was there with his 98 Degrees bandmates promoting their new album, 2.0, which is their first release in 13 years. Also, they’re going on tour this summer with – I sh*t you not – New Kids on the Block and Boyz II Men! That makes me lol so hard, but it’s kind of genius. (Barely related sidenote: did you see John Krasinski and Jimmy Fallon’s lip sync battle in which they do Boys II Men? It’s awesome.)

Anyway Nick was playing this game with host Andy Cohen called “Plead the Fifth” in which he gets asked three questions and he can only plead the fifth on one of them. He was asked about the most overrated boy band of all time (he said “O Town”) and the second question was “What is the best thing about no longer having Joe Simpson as a father in law?” His brother quipped “everything” and Nick said:

The best thing about not having Joe Simpson as a father in law is that I don’t have to play grab ass under the table on Easter Sunday.”

He was smiling when he said it, and his brother Drew joked “our publicist is freaking out right now.” I swear he was telling the truth, especially when Andy said “that’s funny,” and Nick added “it may not be [funny] tomorrow but it is tonight.” Oh snap, that story is true!

The third question was “a famous person you hooked up with that no one knows about.” Drew said he couldn’t think of anyone because “all my skeletons are out there.

Later, he was asked about Jessica Simpson and if he still talks to her and he made it clear that he doesn’t. He said “it’s been years, probably six years. It was like another lifetime ago.”

That was a long time ago, but I remember it well since it was such big news. Nick wasn’t the one who wanted to end the relationship. He did an interview back then with Rolling Stone admitting that Jessica pulled the plug before he wanted to break up. He said that still loved her and wanted to be with her and admitted he was heartbroken. He even broke down crying in that interview, but he didn’t trash Jessica or her family, he remained very classy about all of it. There were stories that Joe Simpson caused the end of Jessica and Nick’s marriage, but Nick didn’t pin it on Joe. He just said Jessica was a grown woman. “I don’t pretend to understand Joe. And I can’t speculate about what he did or why he did it or for what purpose. It would be easy for me to blame my divorce on him. That would be convenient. But at the end of the day, Jessica is a grown woman, and she made her own decision.”

So Nick was massively hurt by Joe’s daughter, and he could have easily aired his suspicions at the time that Joe was a creeper. He didn’t do that, he just dropped a line in an interview many years later when it was already known that Joe preferred the company of very young men.

Comments on Joe are at 1:50 into this video:

Nick and Jessica in 2005

photo credit: FameFlynet and WENN.com

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85 Responses to “Did Nick Lachey just say that Joe Simpson used to hit on him?”

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  1. brin says:

    Bwahahahaha!

    • Ellie66 says:

      Oh yeah! Lol! x10000

      • springingforward says:

        Always loved that Nick Lachey.
        He has shown such integrity and composure regarding the negative impact Papa Joe must have had on his marriage to Jessica.
        He correctly identifies her as ultimately responsible for making the decision to divorce and never named Joe at all.
        He get a pass on this from me; I love him even more than before.

  2. littlestar says:

    I’ve always like Nick Lachey! My sister and I would watch Newlyweds together on the weekends, it was a charming show! Still to this day, I secretly hope that Nick and Jessica will somehow get back together (not going to happen, I know, but it’s still fun to think about). And Nick was pretty classy back then to not spill any family secrets when he could have easily done so – I’m guessing he got a big pay day NOT to say anything.

    This article just gave me a good laugh overall. Joe Simpson is a creep and deserves having shade thrown at him, especially since he was a major factor in Nick and Jessica divorcing. And can’t forget about how he’s been treating his ex-wife Tina in their divorce…

    • bella says:

      These two made the sweetest and sexiest couple and I’m happy to see that there is someone else out there who hopes they make their ways back to each other in spite of the unlikelihood it would ever happen!
      But I’ve got to admit that when I read about Nick’s jab against his former father-in-law that maybe Jessica didn’t know at the time the damage her father was causing in her marriage and that perhaps now she’d look back and revisit her feelings for Nick…I know it sounds nuts, but these two were just perfect together.

    • Amy says:

      Nick & Jessica 4-eva, and Britney & Justin, too… 😉 Yeah, never happen, but I know what you mean

  3. Lulu.T.O. says:

    One forgets how tiny she used to be.

    How funny is that quote about Papa Simpson?? Yikes! But seriously, how can someone else ’cause’ a divorce?

    • Domestic_diva says:

      Believe me it is very possible I went through a lot of therapy after my divorce and really had to accept the role I let my family play,in destryoing my marriage thougHt the decision was ultimately “mine” I was put in a position where my hands were tied if I didn’t. Luckily I grew up and was able to put my foot down my husband and I are about to remarry and we have two children together both after the divorce

      • bella says:

        YAY
        So there IS hope for Jessica and Nick!

        Congrats to you Domestic.
        How wonderful you were able to reclaim your happiness!

      • prayforthewild says:

        Wow! Congrats, Domestic_diva! 😀

      • Lulu.T.O. says:

        Well actually you just proved my point. I was you allowing your family to interfere that ended it. The only two people responsible for a divorce are the two people involved.

  4. aims says:

    Nick always seemed more solid out of the two. I think it’s funny, and a little true. After the way her family treated him, I think they deserve a little ribbing.

    • brin says:

      Totally agree!

      • Rhiley says:

        Me too.

        Papa Joe always grossed me out and seemed like a giant closet case, and he should have butted the hell out of his adult daughter’s marriage. I kind of think those 2 would still be married if her father hadn’t manipulated everything so much.

    • carol says:

      how did they treat him? I never watched their show…

      • Jessica says:

        They treated him like it’s was only Jessica’s show and not the both of them.

        When N & J got divorced, he took WAY less money then he should have.

        Jessica was getting some pretty good publicity and Joe did not want Nick to be a part of it.

        He only wanted to have Jessica do endorsements and not the two of them together.

        Joe Simpson is a major douchebag and a a perverted creep.

    • Jenna Zine says:

      Agreed! Joe was so openly disdainful of Nick – it was actually uncomfortable to watch. He obviously loved Jessica and put up with a lot. I’m glad he finally said something (even in this small, but obvious/fun way). i gotta say, Joe deserves it. And, even though Jessica ultimately made the decision re: their divorce, I’m sure Joe played a large part in pushing her towards it.

  5. Quinn Parker says:

    Those old pictures!! LORD, they look like infants! Jessica doesn’t even look like the same person now. She had to be delirious from starvation back then.

  6. RobN says:

    I think he got caught up in the moment and I’ll bet he regrets saying that. Doesn’t show a lot of class, and I always think it’s disrespectful to your new spouse to spend a lot of time talking about your life with the old one.

    • Samigirl says:

      I *seriously* doubt he “spends a lot of time talking” about Jessica. Andy asked him questions about it, he answered. He RARELY makes public comments about anything other than his beautiful family and their future.

    • Isa says:

      I dunno, he was asked. And he said it was a lifetime ago. I don’t think it would bother me. Nick was with Jessica back when his band was famous so it’s kind of natural their relationship was brought up.

  7. Sam says:

    I’m a little surprised that Nick is the one who is sort of spilling the beans.
    I thought Pete Wentz would totally blab first.

    • samab says:

      do you think papa joe would hit on pete wentz?Lachey it’s more of his type.also mine.

      • Sam says:

        I’m not sure its necessary. Both of them probably saw plenty being around the Simpsons. Like Ashlee playing the whole “No, I wasn’t married when I got pregnant, I just had a baby 6 months later” type of stuff. Pete was candid that she got knocked up by accident and they got married. But that was when Joe was still desperate to maintain the image of a Good Christian family. I’m sure either of them could tell some stories.

      • Amanda says:

        Yeah. Nick is more my type too. Joe is a creepy old perv though.

    • Dani says:

      Ugh any mention of ASSlee and her father involving Pete Wentz depresses me. She killed FOB. Totally blame her for ruining my favorite band.

      • Sam says:

        Was it ever confirmed that Ashlee did a Yoko Ono? When Fall Out Boy broke up, I just kept hearing a lot about “creative differences” and stuff. Didn’t they also break up after Pete and Ashlee were already married and divorced? I did not hear about this, I want details!

      • MsCatra says:

        @Dani – they got back together, just released a new album, and are touring this summer. The new album is…interesting. I have to listen to it and find the hidden barbs/sarcasm before I can decide if I like it or not.

    • Miffy says:

      Pete is probably still licking his wounds that Nick was more his type. Desperate for Papa Joe’s advances and thus approval, it’s the only way to explain the skinny jeans and guy liner.

      • Isa says:

        Fall out boy has a song on the radio right now. It’s pretty catchy.
        I don’t remember Ashley denying she got pregnant out of wedlock.

  8. Nicolette says:

    Love what she’s wearing in the last photo.

  9. Melanie says:

    He was lucky to have gotten rid of the airheaded Jessica who always smiles with her tongue in her teeth (so annoying to me–I mean, every single fn time!). He’s moved on a classy lady and I wish him the best of luck!

    • Elle Kaye says:

      “air-headed Jessica” is a very savvy business woman. She plays a good game, and in the process, has made herself a billion dollar empire. Nick is happy, and Jessica is happy, so it appears it all worked out for the best.

      • Sam says:

        From what I understand, Jessica isn’t involved in her business dealings. She makes her money through the liscensing of her name to the different lines under the JS umbrella, but she isn’t making any decisions like marketing or design. Personally, I think she shows it on Fashion Star. She just constantly mumbles about making the clothes “sexy” but not much about actual design critiques.

      • bluhare says:

        Actually, it’s Jessica’s mother who has managed Jessica’s clothing lines, not Jessica.

      • Barhey says:

        I always thought the Jessica Simpson empire was kind of overstated. Vince Camuto is the genius behind the brand and hires a really excellent design team. He makes gorgeous quality shoes and riding boots that are expensive but really nice. I own a pair of heels that are Jessica Simpson from Macy’s that are super cute. I didn’t care about her name, I just liked them!

        All she did was license her name for an undisclosed fee to the brand, which a lot of celebrities do. She (actually probably her management team) just chose a good, well run company to associate her with. She’s obviously not involved in the design process at all.

        Good decision? Yes. Savvy business woman? Eh…

  10. Anna says:

    I have to give points for a good snark. And bonus points for still being a class act when discussing the ex.

    • Dawn says:

      I agree! Joe pimped his daughters out to get what he wanted and deserves whatever comes his way. Too bad he’s gay because PMK would be his perfect mate otherwise. Love Nick and those eyes of his.

  11. truthful says:

    I was hooked on their reality show, he was always the voice of reason.

    eww, at having your father in law feel you up, so I guess he feels up Jess’s
    rent-a-man now.

  12. Jessica says:

    He could have brought up crap about Joe YEARS ago when they first got divorced, but instead decided to shut his mouth.

    If that were me, I’d be writing a tell all book.

    Jessica lost out big time.

    I’m sure Joe plays grab ass with Eric now.

  13. MsAubra says:

    *clutches pearls* oh my lordy!!

    oh, and…

    NICK AND JESSICA 4EVER!! LOL

  14. Miller says:

    Convenient that he’s coming forward and saying this when he has an upcoming tour. Let’s face it, no one would give a shit about him if he hadn’t married Jessica and had that show. If they never had that show, Jessica would at the very least still be somewhat relevant and Nick would be a total has been. I personally think he’s already a borderline has been, and he probably thinks so too, so that’s why he’s coming forward and saying this stuff, because no one is going to pay attention to his boy band’s tour this summer- a boy band that wasn’t even ever that popular in the first place! I remember watching the show, he was irritated with how involved Joe was in Jessica’s life, so he could’ve just said that. Even though they haven’t talked in years, he should still respect her by not saying this kind of stuff. It’s pretty low and even though they haven’t talked in years, they were together for 6 years and so he loved her, so disrespecting her like that and not exhibiting a modicum of sensitivity over the matter is such a moral transgression. What a loser.

    • Bridget says:

      He was actually the bigger star when they got married and she was an also-ran in the girl-singer era, behind Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and Mandy Moore. In fact, that was why they didn’t have a prenup – because she came into the marriage with far fewer assets so the Simpson family didn’t push for it. Jessica may have ended up the bigger star from Newlyweds, but you can’t deny that Nick had a part in it too, because you can’t have a show called Newlyweds without a husband AND a wife. Jessica had to pay out to Nick when they got divorced because her fame was entirely built on the two of them together; she would never have gotten all of her solo opportunities without the initial fame from Newlyweds. And by all accounts, Nick’s a pretty decent guy.

      • t says:

        Exactly!

      • Miller says:

        You’re right, I wasn’t aware of this because I was pretty young when they were together so I had no idea that Nick was actually more famous than Jessica. However, she did come out a bigger star than he did and just by association with her he still is somewhat relevant. But he wasn’t provoked to bring up Joe Simpson’s sexuality at all and to do that to an ex-wife- someone he loved at one point- is really tasteless and he likely just did it for attention.

    • mslewis says:

      . . . because no one is going to pay attention to his boy band’s tour this summer . . .

      I’ve read that tickets are selling very well in some areas of the country so this tour just might be a money-maker for all those involved.

      • bridget says:

        The tour is apparently selling very well, and they’ve already doubled the amount of dates (apparently).

        I don’t really hold it against Nick for saying something. Papa Joe is a piece of work and I would imagine there are an awful lot of bad feelings there, and pretty honestly earned. Nick isnt even the only man that Joe scared. off – remember how Tony Romo ran for the hills after getting the Simpson full-court press? Supposedly not only was Jessica pressuring him to get married, but Joe was trying to become his new manager. And now with Joe’s shenanigans out thete (not just the coming out but also the financial mis-management) and the way he’s alienated his own family, the writing’s on the wall that Joe’skind of a scummy dude. So it doesnt but me that Nick would comment on it after all these years

      • bridget says:

        I will also point out that if Nick had really wanted to ‘go there’ he could have. At thr time those 2 broke up there were a ton of rumors about her cheating – the worst of which wad that she hooked up with Bam Margera. Ugh.

      • Renee says:

        Bridget, not to mention the numerous rumors of him cheating on Jessica. She could have “went there” too and never did. In fact, if I recall correctly, she pretty much kept her mouth shut during the divorce while he went around flapping his gums about her and her family to anyone who would listen in an effort to sell his new CD. Interesting that HE is considered the decent, honest one, don’t you think?

      • bridget says:

        He’s considered to be that way because through all of thr Newlyweds stuff he never *seemed* like he bought into the fame stuff so much. That was their schtick: he was handsome but decent and down to earth, she was ditzy but sweet. Obviously some of that is thr persona that was created, but the othrr part was that the Simpsons constantly managed to bungle PR. Joe was never as slick as he thought and they confused tabloid stardom for lasting fame. Whether its true or not its possible that Jessica will never get away from the perception that she kind of threw Nick away when she got famous – years later amd we’re still discussing it. It also made both parties incredibly wealthy and that’s just the price they have to pay.

  15. teehee says:

    That or hes an insensitive homophobe AFTER the fact.

    • kc says:

      You are a homophobe if you don’t want your father in law grabbing at you under a table? Just to keep the peace with gay people you should let them cop a few feels?

      He was joking…

      • Emily says:

        I have actually seen and heard women claim that if someone doesn’t want a person of the same sex feeling them up or kissing them or etc., they’re homophobic. I’ve never seen or heard a man say this.

      • Amy says:

        Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think that was teehee’s point, that it might be a homophobic joke at Joe’s expense.

      • Sam says:

        That actually happened to me! When I was in law school, an openly gay woman in my class made a pass at me. When I turned her down, she accused me of being a homophobe. No person should have to tolerate unwanted advances – ever. Man, woman, third gender, I don’t really care. But you are correct, it does happen.

  16. Paula says:

    I always feel like I’m the only one who can see through him. Its frustrating, but whatever, he was given a good guy image by the media and people go with it. I just can’t stand the guy.

    Imagine if Jessica had made a crack about his family now. I don’t think a gay joke or a mean joke about his family from her would have gone over so well.

    • Fancy says:

      Jessica has made plenty of cracks at nicks expense. Including the ultimate blow to a males ego – hinting he had a tiny “package”.

      • t says:

        Yes, and she tried to promote that failed country album that cost her her recording contract by hinting she had been a victim of abuse, smearing every person she had ever been linked to including Nick.

      • Isa says:

        I don’t see it as a gay joke. Yes, he made a joke about a person that happens to be gay. But he could have made the same joke about Jessica’s mom if she had been the one making passes.

    • Amory says:

      But his family didn’t treat her like the hired help — that’s the big difference. And if my father-in-law had groped me, I would not hold back about it.

  17. Bridget says:

    I always felt kind of bad for Nick with how everything ended with Jessica. She was a lot younger than him, and it must have been hard to be hit with this massive fame and have all these opportunities open up in front of you, and all the while your dad is whispering in your ear that your husband is holding you back. Add in Nick’s waning career and the clearly difficult relationship he had with his father-in-law, and it would have taken an awful lot of maturity from Jessica to make those two work, maturity which might have been a lot to ask from a 23 year old. Tough lesson to learn, and hopefully they’re both happy with where they are now in life.

    Also, apparently Nick’s tour is selling like crazy, and they seem pretty happy opening for NKOTB and B2M

    • Apsutter says:

      I knew that the tour would be a crazy success! A friend dragged me to see NKOTB a couple years ago when they had a summer tour and not only was it sold out but the fans were CRAZY for them. The funny thing is that the age range was so wide! Teen girls to 40-something’s! As soon as I heard they were joining up with B2M I knew it’d be big.

  18. Abby says:

    Aw they were so cute together. I’ll confess I watched every episode of The Newlyweds and got them on DVD back in the day. I used to hope they’d someday end up back together. Wishful thinking.

  19. hopperlea says:

    Nick was the best thing to happen to Jessica Simpson. She blew it when she dumped him. And I am sure she knows it.

  20. janie says:

    I think this was a digusting thing for him to say. There have been a lot of people hurt by what Joe did and i thought Nick had more integrity than that. None of this is funny & it just looks like sour grapes on Nicks part.

  21. Debbie says:

    100% behind throwing any shade he wants that family was terrible to him and he was always amazing to them. Remember the big deal she made about having to visit his family in Ohio? Oh how she cheated on him and her father caused issues with HIS career and blamed him for struggles in Jessica’s?

    However, with all that said I can’t help but pity Jessica. She was manipulated by her father, ended her marriage, screwed over her then husband and jumped from one loser to the next. While nick found love with a nice enough girl and has a family. Jessica in this lost the one and only decent and honest guy she has ever had in her life and only has users with her now and personally I think she knows it hence all the weight gain and losses.

    I am now, have always and will always be team nick though.

    • Amory says:

      Agree with you 100%. The Simpsons are classless, regardless of how much money they make from shilling Jessica’s image as an idiot with boobs.

  22. Pinky says:

    This bothers me. I always liked Nick more than Jessica, but I just feel like he wasn’t asked directly about the gay thing and could have gone in a number of different directions with that question. It’s likely causing a lot of hurt within the Simpson family right now and I think it was poor form on his part.

  23. anon says:

    just a quick comment. NICK is no saint. Time to look in the closet as it keeps creeping out there. Jess & Nick married too young. I do get sick of the whoa is me NICK though when it’s farthest from the truth. Joe is a whole other thing.
    One beautiful thing is they both have beautiful babies & life moves on. I do agree NICK right now is looking for something to help launch his tour. H just took a stab at KIM for using him for attention & lets say pot call kettle.

    • Debbie says:

      One this was a joke and two he didn’t take a stab at kim he said he was amazed the cameras showed up and said she really knows how to play the Hollywood game which if you’re a kardashian is a HUGE compliment!!

  24. Kaboom says:

    Ah the olden days when Jessica Simpson was hot stuff …

  25. Dani says:

    I hate when people say stuff like “Jessica blew it and must regret leaving him blah blah blah.”

    She’s a woman with a 1 year old daughter and another baby on the way and to say she must regret her current life with her children in order to appease your sadness that the “Newlyweds” are no more is pretty disgusting to me.

    Sorry but those comments really grate on my nerves.

    • Cece says:

      I think they mean that she hasn’t seem to have attracted the best men since they broke up. Nick seems so much more solid thnt anyone since then, and he actually married her.

    • mslewis says:

      I agree with you but fans do this all the time. Look at Angelina, Brad and Jennifer . . . there are people who STILL want Brad to leave his SIX babies and go back to Jennifer. So, yes it’s disgusting but it seems that so-called fans do this a lot.

    • Debbie says:

      I don’t think she regrets her children but I do think she has only been with dishonest using losers since nick so while I’m sure she is thrilled with her children she has to regret giving up the only decent and worthwhile man who has ever been in her life.

    • Jessica says:

      Everybody know Eric is using Jessica for her money.

      I doubt he actually really loves her.

      She’ll never find someone who treated her as good as Nick did and I think she knows it too.

  26. KellyinSeattle says:

    Nick is so cute! I think his wife just had a baby boy and he made a lullaby song for him…Vanessa something is her name? Nick is just pretty refreshing and doesn’t seem like he has a huge ego.

  27. L says:

    Zzzz

  28. L says:

    It’s been years.They both obviously moved on with other people. Of course, I could be wrong because one still seems to have sour grapes about the breakup.

  29. TOPgirl says:

    I loved Nick and Jessica together..I thought they seemed sooo in love! Too bad Jessica had no head on her shoulders to save her marriage. Without Nick in her life..she doesn’t seem like anything much.

  30. Leah says:

    What has Jessica ever said or done that gives people the impression she regrets leaving Nick? And I’m not talking about reasons why YOU think she should regret leaving him based on what you’ve seen in the tabloids and on their reality show. I’m asking what she’s ever said or done that has made you go “Aha! She obviously regrets leaving Nick!” Because honestly I never hear her talk about him at all and she always seems pretty happy with her life. So I don’t know where people get that from at all.

    • Jessica says:

      She got engaged two weeks after he did.
      Jessica was reportedly very upset that he did get engaged.

  31. april says:

    I always thought it was weird how Jessica fell out of love with Nick who seemed like one of the ultimate men to fall in love with, and went with such losers after that like the football player, John Mayer, and her current guy who doesn’t seem all that special.