Who did Jessica Simpson date after divorcing Nick Lachey? Dating history explored amid Eric Johson split

Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson have officially announced their separation after 10 years of marriage. The couple confirmed their split in an official statement to People magazine, with Simpson describing it as a “painful situation.”

"Eric and I have been living apart, dealing with a very painful situation in our marriage.” The singer and actress said. “Our children are our first priority, and we are focusing on what is best for them. We are thankful for all the love and support that has been coming our way and appreciate privacy right now as we work through this as a family.”

After her divorce from Nick Lachey in 2006, Simpson dated several notable figures, including John Mayor, as per a report in The Mirror.

The 44-year-old married Johnson in 2014. They share three children - daughters Maxwell "Maxi" Drew, 12, and Birdie Mae, 5, and son Ace Knute, 11.

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Reports on Jessica Simpson's love life over the years

Nick Lachey

In the ‘90s, Simpson made headlines for her relationship with Nick Lachey, the lead singer of 98 Degrees. According to a report in The List, they met in 1998. After their wedding in 2002, the couple starred together in a reality show, Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica, which aired on MTV from 2003 to 2005.

However, the couple eventually split in 2005. Speaking to Rolling Stones in 2006, Lachey admitted that he never expected to separate from Simpson.

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Johnny Knoxville

Simpson was linked to Johnny Knoxville for a brief period amidst her marital issues with Nick Lachey. However, reports confirmed that they never actually dated but shared an emotional connection nevertheless. “I could share my deepest authentic thoughts with him, and he didn’t roll his eyes at me. He actually liked that I was smart and embraced my vulnerabilities,” the singer wrote in her memoir, Open Book.

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John Mayer

Simpson dated John Mayer in 2006 after her divorce from Lachey. The duo had an on-again and off-again relationship. In 2020, Simpson shared with Today, that their relationship was “complex”. The couple reportedly broke up in 2007.

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Tony Romo

Simpson started dating NFL player Tony Romo in 2007 after her break up with Mayer. Romo reportedly dumped her before her 29th birthday in 2009.

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Eric Johnson

Jessica Simpson met Johnson in 2010 through a mutual friend. After dating for several years, the two got married in 2014 in an intimate ceremony in Montecito, California.

They welcomed their first two children, Maxwell and Ace, in May 2012 and June 2013. Gushing about her partner, Simpson shared with People magazine in 2023:

“A true love will never make you question yourself or what's real. Thanks to my amazing soulmate I am able to love passionately and without fear of being hurt.”

The couple recently announced their split on January 13, 2025, indicating that they have been living apart for some time. Some reports suggested that Johnson and Simpson were spotted sans wedding rings on several occasions.