Jessica Simpson says she was ‘dying’ and had to fight not to cry during American Idol

Jessica Simpson is opening up about the way she was feeling as she made her first television performance in 15 years on the American Idol finale.

Simpson’s performance was the first time fans had seen her perform on television in over a decade, though some weren’t impressed with what she brought to the stage, just months after releasing her first new EP in 15 years and her split from Eric Johnson.

Now, after all is said and done with the big night, Simpson is admitting how she actually felt on the show’s stage.

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Speaking to Extra, she admitted to being a bundle of nerves.

In her interview, she admitted she had to remind herself not to get emotional as she performed.

“Oh, my God, I was dying. I can’t even tell you how long it’s been since I’ve been that nervous,” she said. “Like, I had to put hairspray on my feet to stand still, like, not that it actually keeps me put, but, like, my feet were sweating. I’m like, ‘My feet don’t sweat.’”

“I just kept telling myself, ‘Do not cry. Do not cry. I know this is a big moment….do not cry,” she added.

“And then I see my dad [Joe Simpson], like, up in the corner, and I’m like, ‘Ah, I’m going to cry. I’m going to cry. Do not cry/ Just sing your songs. Just sing your songs.

Simpson performed her new song Blame Me during the performance, as well as her version of Nancy Sinatra’s hit These Boots Are Made for Walkin.’

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She was joined during her performance by Josh King, who was eliminated earlier in the season.

The performance came after she and Eric Johnson confirmed in January that they were separating after 10 years of marriage, after first sparking split rumors in late 2024.

The two share three children together: Maxwell, 13, Ace, 11, and Birdie, 6.

The two have yet to file for divorce.