Jessica Simpson made her first live television appearance in 15 years during the Season 23 finale of “American Idol“ on May 18, 2025. The 44-year-old singer performed her new single “Blame Me” and a duet of her 2005 hit “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’” with former contestant Josh King.
While some fans celebrated her return, others criticized her performance, calling it “cringeworthy” and a “train wreck.”
Simpson, 44, teased her appearance hours ahead of the broadcast, posting a trailer-side video from rehearsals on Instagram captioned, “American Idol Rehearsal.”
The singer and entrepreneur wore a floor-length metallic gown with a high slit and sheer long sleeves during her performance. The dress featured a reflective belt detail at the waist. She completed the look with strappy platform heels and styled her hair in loose waves, showcasing her recently debuted “desert sunset blonde” color.
Simpson’s comeback coincides with the release of her EP Nashville Canyon, Pt. 1, which she described as a therapeutic outlet during her divorce from Eric Johnson. The EP, released in March 2025, marks her return to music after a 15-year hiatus.
“I was in a very intuitive state,” Simpson told the audience at the Luck Reunion festival in March. “I asked some personal questions and found out my world had been turned upside down.”
Despite the mixed reviews, Simpson received support from her 13-year-old daughter, Maxwell, who expressed pride in her mother’s return to the stage. Simpson also debuted a new “desert sunset blonde” hairstyle during her performance, signaling a fresh start in her career.
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The “American Idol” finale crowned Jamal Roberts as the Season 23 winner. The 27-year-old Mississippi native captivated audiences with performances of “First Time,” “Just My Imagination,” and a duet with Jelly Roll on “Liar” and “Unpretty”. Roberts, a P.E. teacher and father of three, became the first Black male winner since Ruben Studdard in 2003.
“This journey has been bigger than me,” Roberts wrote on Instagram. “I never dreamed a kid from my hometown would one day be called American Idol.”
