Jessica Simpson is rolling with the punches with her first time back on the Today Show Plaza in nearly 20 years.
The 45-year-old pop star performed as a part of the Today show’s Citi Concert Series on Wednesday, July 23, singing a series of her music both old and new. However, true to form, Simpson kept it real during the interview segment of her appearance after her first song.
“How does it feel back on the stage, the first release in 15 years?” NBC correspondent Peter Alexander asked her on the stage after she jammed out to her new track, “Fade.”
Kevin Mazur/Getty
Jessica Simpson performs on the ‘Today’ show plaza on July 23.
“It’s insane. And of course I had a malfunction here and everywhere, but it’s okay,” she said, motioning toward her head. “I think my boobs stayed in, so it’s okay.”
Simpson performed numerous songs throughout all four hours of the Today show, wearing a blush pink corset dress with feathered fringe skirt and a silver sparkly jacket.
Debra L Rothenberg/WireImage
Jessica Simpson on the ‘Today’ show plaza on July 23.
Of her attitude toward performing on such a large stage again, Simpson said, “Today it was like, ‘Okay, get out of your head. Get out of your head. Who cares if your shoes falls off? Who cares if you forget a lyric?’ Honestly, it’s just about being able to get up there and feel vulnerable and that feels really beautiful.”
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
She last performed on the Today show in 2006, detailing how much her life had changed since that time.
“I was going through divorce no. 1,” Simpson said of her 2006 performance, referencing her split from ex-husband Nick Lachey.
Noting that her three kids hadn’t gotten the chance to see her perform, Al Roker asked Simpson if she thought they’d be watching her.
“I really hope so. If not, I’m sure they’ll find it online after or maybe they recorded it,” she replied. “Maybe their dad was nice and hit the thing. Is Tivo still a thing?”
She also gave her kids a shout-out on the show, explaining that they’re ready to come on the road with her.
“Hi, Maxwell, Ace and Birdie. Mama’s on TV!” she declared. “They know me singing Christmas songs, but they have never seen me on the stage. So I was like, let me get New York out of the way, and then y’all can come. Let me come get back at it. But they are the biggest supporters. And they feel like I’ve had this music back for, like, a year now, which I haven’t. It’s just out.”
Simpson shares daughters Maxwell, 13, and Birdie, 12, and son Ace, 6, with ex Eric Johnson. Simpson and Johnson announced their split in January 2025, after 10 years of marriage.
Kevin Mazur/Getty
Jessica Simpson performs on the ‘Today’ show on July 23.
During Today with Jenna & Friends, Simpson opened up about what this new music has meant to her during such a difficult time in her life.
“It’s been almost two years now,” she said of her split from Johnson. “I thought I was going to be doing this inspirational type of record, and it ended up leaning more towards, how do I get through this moment because my whole life just completely changed while making this record, and it became something I never would have expected. But there’s blessings in the pain. You can find beauty in the pain. I want my daughters or my son to know that. No matter what we go through in life, nothing can take us down. Nothing. As long as we are who we are and we know our purpose and we’re guided by that.”
Read the original article on People
