Jessica Simpson reveals sobriety helped her become ‘more honest’ while creating new music

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Jessica Simpson opened up about how sobriety has helped her rediscover her voice with new music.

The singer has been alcohol-free since 2017 and credits her clarity of mind for bringing authenticity back to her music.

In addition to her artistic growth, with her latest EP, 'Nashville Canyon: Part 1', Simpson has also navigated major life changes, including her split from Eric Johnson earlier this year, with whom she shares three kids, Maxwell, 12, Ace, 11, and Birdie, 5. 

Jessica Simpson on how alcohol made her feel 'sorry for herself'

Jessica Simpson recalled how drinking heavily years ago made her write music which took her places only to feel sorry about herself. 

"The moment I started drinking too much was when I started writing music in 2016 and it was making me go to places and feel sorry for myself,"  Simpson told People. 

She continued, "I don't know why I wanted to feel sorry for myself other than the alcohol was lying to me and saying, 'You're braver because you can say this with me on your side'."

"It's not true," Simpson said, adding, "I actually am so much more honest without alcohol, and I actually believe myself so much more without alcohol."

Simpson, who celebrated seven years of sobriety in November 2024 believes alcohol was not helping her connect with her emotions but instead suppressing them.

"I personally feel like it made my emotions quiet. Instead of addressing them, dealing with them and getting through it, I was just letting them be," Simpson told People.

Jessica Simpson recalls struggling to stand up for herself in music industry

Jessica Simpson, now 44, also reflected on her early years in the music industry and how she felt controlled by others.

"You have a lot of people pushing and pulling at you, and putting money into you, and you say 'Yes'," she recalled.

"I’m obedient. I’m a preacher's daughter. I didn’t stand up for myself. I had a big voice but I didn't have a voice that people would listen to when I would speak," the 'Irresistible' singer said.

Jessica Simpson embraces authenticity in 'Nashville Canyon'

After years of conforming to industry norms, Jessica Simpson broke free by sharing her intimate journals and poetry with Nashville songwriters.

Embracing her true self, she rejected external expectations and created music that would genuinely represent her.

"Probably through all of 'Nashville Canyon', I came in with: forget who they told you to be," she said.

"That was the manufactured version of myself. Remember the person that opened her mouth and sang Amazing Grace for the first time. Remember that girl and remember that as a woman -- and to have freedom in music, that’s what you’re going to hear in 'Nashville Canyon'," she said.