Jessica Simpson is opening up more about the abuse she suffered as a child and how her recent memoir, “Open Book,” helped her forgive her.
The 40-year-old singer released the autobiography on February 4. In it, she publicly revealed for the first time that the daughter of a family friend mistreated her. The abuse started when she was 6 years old and shared a bed with her abuser during family visits to her home.
The mother of three appeared on Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt’s podcast “The Gift of Forgiveness” to explain the steps she has taken in recent years to overcome childhood trauma. She also admitted to recently sending a copy of her memoirs to her abuser.
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Jessica Simpson signs copies of her new book ‘Open Book’ at Barnes & Noble Union Square on February 4 in New York City.
(Getty)
“I would say about eight years ago I confronted her,” Simpson explained. “I went up to her and said, ‘I know you know what was happening and I know you were being abused’ because I was being abused by an older man. Basically, he was always there in the house too. He never touched me but he would abuse from her and then she would come to me and do things for me. In many ways, I felt bad for her and was allowing the abuse to occur. “
Simpson recalled telling the girl that she knew she had “a lot to deal with” and implored her that “she should probably talk to someone.”
The fashion designer promised at the time that she no longer wanted to “live in denial” about what happened. It was also when she divorced Nick Lachey and was “soul searching.”
“I was in that place where I was celibate and on this trip to explore myself and I knew I couldn’t move forward without warning him,” Simpson recalled.
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The “Irresistible” singer said that while his abusive wife continued in his life, he decided to send her a copy of his memoirs.
“I even sent him the book and said I hope it brings healing,” said Simpson.
Chris Pratt’s wife’s podcast is a platform where she welcomes guests to talk about their life stories, all based on forgiveness. In the episode, Simpson reiterated some of the details she revealed in the book, such as revealing the abuse to her parents six years after it started.
“Right after that, they took action and I never had to go back,” Simpson told Schwarzenegger Pratt.
Also in “Open Book,” Simpson admitted that he initially faced trauma using alcohol and pills.
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“He was killing me with all the drink and pills,” Simpson admitted in an excerpt first published by People magazine.
He said his fund came in November 2017, when he finally admitted to his friends that he needed help.
“I need to stop. Something has to stop. And if alcohol is doing this, and making things worse, then I quit, “Simpson recalled.
Today, Simpson is married to former NFL star Eric Johnson. They share three children together: daughters Maxwell Drew, 8, and Birdie Mae, 1, and her son Ace Knute, 7.
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A week after the book’s release, she spoke about her path to sobriety and the ease of her second marriage to Johnson in an interview with Us Weekly.
“In terms of my marriage to Eric, I have never felt freer or freer,” the 39-year-old told the magazine. “Eric and I have a true mind, body [and] soul connection. “
If you or someone you know is abused, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.
