We rarely talk about Jessica Simpson these days. I personally think that’s a good thing – Jessica seems happy, fulfilled and “grown up” nowadays, and I think the combination of becoming a mom and being in a happy marriage really “calmed” her down. She doesn’t feel the need to overshare about every little thing, and I genuinely believe that she’s in a good place. Maybe this is a case of “absence makes the heart grow fonder,” but I actually did miss her. Jessica is like Coco (Ice-T’s wife): generally harmless, amusing, and incredibly relatable, in a weird way. Jessica covers the September issue of Women’s Health, and she talks about body image, her boobs (of course) and more. Some highlights:
Her boobs: “My boobs just have their own life, they have a way of making themselves present. I thought I was going to get a breast reduction…. After having kids, I look at myself and I’m like, you know what, my boobs are actually really big, but I like how they are. They’re an asset, and Eric loves them still.”
Being a public figure with weight fluctuations: “Media scrutiny sucks. I can’t sit here and say I don’t notice it. I will never understand why people take someone down for what you look like. If I had a character flaw, take me down. But a body flaw? That’s not important.”
Why her weight changes made her a better businesswoman: “I have been every size there is. I know what looks good on a variety of body types. Every woman should feel like she can wear what the model is wearing down the runway.”
Workouts: “Before I was a mom, I was dancing on tables at clubs and that was my workout. Now I’m chasing kids. Your biceps curls are picking up your kids…. I give myself so many excuses not to get on the treadmill, to not do that lunge. Workouts are an emotional experience. I exercise to clear my head. It makes me stronger on every level.”
Loving herself: “I’m hard on myself, I believe everything is a work in progress. But that’s okay. I do love my legs, but my favorite physical attribute is my nose, because it’s not perfect. But recently, since I’ve worked out so hard, I’m also loving my stomach—knowing I grew babies in it, and then having to go through a transformation and just owning it.”
Empowering women: “It’s interesting because I feel like all women are very jealous of each other, but they are also supportive of each other. If we can all own what we love about ourselves, we won’t have to have the jealous part.”
[From Women’s Health, E! News]
This made me feel sad: “Media scrutiny sucks. I can’t sit here and say I don’t notice it.” She was being slammed so hard during her first pregnancy, and people really did go overboard – I even wrote about it at the time, asking for an end to people calling Jessica (and any pregnant celebrity) “fat.” Did she overshare to a ridiculous degree during her first pregnancy? Sure. We didn’t need to hear about those “slutty brownies.” But people were still way harsh towards Jessica. But I also believe that she has learned about how to dress women of all sizes from her own weight fluctuations. And speaking as someone built more like the Jessica Simpsons and Kim Kardashians of the world, I’d rather hear their thoughts on fashion rather than the endless parade of size-0 models.
Photos courtesy of Women’s Health.
My understanding is that most women who get reductions get them not for appearance reasons but because they physically hurt and they don’t want to live like that anymore. Maybe Jessica has just been lucky to find excellent bras?
I remember that she seemed to do far better with Pregnancy 2. I don’t remember thinking she was fat at all – I do remember thinking she didn’t sound very bright, what with bragging about her junk food binges and how shocked she was that the food weight didn’t come off with the baby. But she actually sounds much brighter here. Maybe time has done her good.
Or both? I’ve written here before how much I’d like one, both because they are heavy and unpleasant to carry around and because I’d love to go braless, or at least wear one of those cute shelf bras in a cami. After all these years, I’d probably go overboard and ask for a negative cup size. Just can’t justify elective surgery at this point.
It’s nice to hear Simpson appreciating her body as is.
I’m with you there Birdix. I’m very well endowed and very athletic, and while I love my body the way it is (and rather feel it would be “cheating” to get a reduction for convenience), big boobs can be seriously inconvenient/painful during dancing/running/climbing/the like. Not to mention incredibly expensive to properly and effectively accommodate/restrain. I think of a breast reduction almost like i think of Lasik; I like wearing glasses and contacts, but it would be wonderful to swim and camp and workout without fussing with “equipment” or worrying about loosing an “eyeball” and going blind. Possibly $ saving in the long run too.
FYI–you can’t choose a cup size. The way it’s done, they can be taken down by half at the most. The doctor should balance the size to your body type so they look normal. I had a reduction a couple of years ago. My insurance approved it (I pay a high monthly premium for the best plan my employer offers). I qualified because I had a lot of general discomfort & rash/irritation underneath my breasts, as well as neck/shoulder pain. Best decision I ever made. It was a VERY painful and uncomfortable recovery, but I’m so glad I did it. I was DDD and post reduction I’m still a full D but I think they’re perfect now.
I wish she hadn’t made it sound all about appearance! My 40 yr old sister is having a reduction next week. She’s a DDD/F and has wanted one her whole life but as she gets older and gains weight, they just get bigger. They do cause pain, and she has permanent dents in her shoulders from them weighing down bras all these years + back issues, so finally insurance approved her and she is able to afford it! She loves to dress nice and look stylish and is able to since clothes are more flowy now..but she’s so short and top heavy that no matter how flattering the outfit is, all you see is boobs and she hates it. I’m so excited for her..this is seriously going to improve her quality of life in many ways!
I have those dents too, have been noticing them in summer clothes :(. Good luck to your sister!
Thank you Birdix! 🙂
I had a reduction when I was 19 ( I was an E and a size 4, with no butt) and I did it both for pain relief and because I looked like a freak. 20 years later and I’m still a size B and have never regretted it. Even if she doesn’t have back pain, as she gets older she might have problems.
I’m pretty sure she had a breast lift years ago so, I bet she does like her boobs. She got em just like she wanted em lol.
She had implants at one point, maybe she had the lift when she had them removed?
http://ow.ly/Y9cA302XO7S
I like that she likes her nose, not because I like it too but because that’s a quote you never hear. Noses are the first part people like to modify, whether it’s with makeup or surgery and I find what she said refreshing. And I agree with Kaiser, I would like to listen to women with these body types speak out more.
Without a doubt she’s had her nose “refined” over the years – but I think it’s been nice work and she kept the little bump that gives it character. I really like Jessica and find her to be stunning – she’s also done so well with her fashion line and seems genuinely happy these days! Good for her!
Her sister didn’t like (her) nose.
But I will say, Ashlee was totally open about getting a nose job. She never hid it, never BS’ed anybody about it. She didn’t like her nose, so she altered it. I can respect her far more than the ones who just “mature” or will cop to the surgery for a “deviated septum.” Ashlee was at least honest.
Though her son has her old nose almost exactly. So turns out you can run, but it can come back!
She is welcome to gain or lose all of the pregnancy she wants, it’s not my body and it’s not my business. But where things get fuzzy is when you are paid a ton of money to lose that weight. When it’s your JOB, and you’re on TV telling people to lose weight just like you, you’re literally inviting the scrutiny of your body. I’m probably expecting too much of Jessica Simpson.
I keep on hearing fat jokes aimed her way, and honestly it infuriates me (not only when they’re directed at her, of course). I mean, why? Why do people feel the need to make such comments? What do they get from that? Why is it a thing?
I’ve always had a soft spot for Jessica and she comes across more intelligent here than she has in years and years (or maybe ever). She’s gorgeous period. No matter her size. That hair! Yes please!
Wow! She sounds….not ditzy? For so many years I feel like she embraced that goofy, ditzy expression of herself (because the airhead comments on her show are what really got her attention) that she became a caricature.
This interview is a breath of fresh air. She sounds grounded.
I always thought people were way harsh during her pregnancy. She definitely sounds like she’s in a better place. I always liked her and yes I agree 100% with Kaiser regarding the opinions in fashion. Jessica is more relatable because of her weight issues, however, I really can’t consider a Kardashian’s fashion opinion considering the clothes they wear are usually trashy looking and 2 sizes smaller than what it should be
I’m certainly not as short as Jessica, but during pregnancy I carry large, I have big babies, and my belly goes STRAIGHT OUT pretty early on. I’m also large chested. I’ve always felt for her with the two pregnancies – with my first, I was going through a lot of personal issues with an ailing/terminal parent, and I paid absolutely NO attention to my weight. I gained 50 pounds and while I was able to get that back off within 9 months, I didn’t love the process. I’m currently six months pregnant and I’ve gained only about 10-12 so far. I pay far more attention this time to quantity, eating healthier and cooking at home vs going out. It’s made a massive difference for me. I think Jessica had a similar experience in that she let herself do whatever the first time around, worked hard on her loss afterward, and then didn’t want to work as hard the second time so she toned it down.
She looks fabulous right now.
I know this is an unpopular opinion on this site, but I’m going to say it: I cannot stand Jessica Simpson. She is absolutely NOT a businesswoman – her management team simply licensed her name. She is not involved in the business decisions of running a profitable company; she only makes money from the fact that a manufacturing company uses *her name* to sell clothes, shoes and accessories.
Does she look good? Sure, she looks fine. Is she harmless? OK, I’ll go for that. But is she a businesswoman who “knows what looks good on a variety of body types”? Nope. She might know what looks good on her own body type, but she certainly doesn’t have the knowledge and experience from having a design degree and actually working in the industry.
OK, that’s my rant. Sorry.
I can’t with her.
I used to think she was fairly innocuous (a loooooong time ago), and then she gave an interview in which she talked about her abortion stances and how girls put themselves in positions to get raped. Granted, this was back in her (read: her father’s; I’m pretty sure she was raised to not have any opinions) bible-thumping days – back before divorce, subsequent pre-marital sex, and her Baptist minister father’s coming out.
Maybe she’s changed. Or maybe her opinions these days (read: her husband’s opinions) are just a bit more liberal… But I really hope that maybe she’s read some books.