Jessica Simpson - ONE STEP AT A TIME

THE SINGER REVEALS THE DOGGED DAILY DETERMINATION BEHIND HER STUNNING TRANSFORMATION

- Jennie Noonan

40KG SHRED

"I definitely gain a lot of weight in my pregnancies, but this last one was really hard for me," Simpson has said. "I don't know if it was because I was older, hormones and all kinds of stuff, but whoa, Birdie gave me a brutal stretch."

After years of hard work, healthy living, and a career spent weathering body image negativity, Jessica Simpson, 41, is ready for her close-up.

On May 25, she modelled a one-piece swimsuit with strappy blue snakeskin heels - both from her own billion-dollar fashion line - that showed off the results of her consistent commitment to looking and feeling her best.

The sizzling snap was just the latest body-baring post the singer has shared. She caused a stir in April when she celebrated the milestone of wearing a bikini after three tough pregnancies with kids Maxwell, 10, Ace, 8, and Birdie, 3, whom she shares with husband Eric Johnson.

"When I put that two-piece on, I got super emotional and I was like, 'I did this, it happened," Simpson said on US talk show The Real. "I wanted to share it with everyone because I was very proud of myself for doing what at times felt completely impossible. I've lost 100 pounds [45kg] three times."