'My SECRET addiction'

In her new memoir, the singer opens up about her sexual abuse and crippling addiction

When Jessica Simpson announced in July 2019 that she’d be releasing her first book, fans had no idea the actress and singer would be opening up about moments in her life that she’d never revealed publicly. The memoir, titled Open Book, details secrets Simpson has held on to for years and gives insight into her life behind closed doors. Simpson, 39, lives in Los Angeles with her husband of six years, ex NFL player Eric Johnson, 40, and their three kids – Maxwell, 7, Ace, 6, and 10-month-old Birdie. However, the Texas native says her life has been far from perfect. In her memoir, Simpson details her crippling alcohol addiction and mental health struggles that stemmed from her being sexually abused as a child. “I was pretty rock bottom,” she tells WHO. “I was like, ‘I’m that Hollywood cliché.’ I became exactly what I didn’t want to be.”

A series of incidents during Halloween in November 2017 are what prompted Simpson to ask for help. “It was 7.30 in the morning and I’d already had a drink,” she writes.

Upon getting ready for her family’s Halloween party that day, Simpson ‘zoned out’ and realised she wasn’t in a state to put her kids in their I felt in the wrong.” costumes. “I was terrified of During a car trip together, letting them see me in that Simpson, then 12, told them of shape.”