Jessica Simpson has frosty reunion with ex Eric Johnson at child’s graduation more than one year after split

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By JUSTIN ENRIQUEZ, US ASSISTANT SHOWBIZ EDITOR

Published: 17:05 EDT, 4 June 2026 | Updated: 05:34 EDT, 5 June 2026

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Jessica Simpson had an awkward reunion with ex Eric Johnson a year-and-a-half after their split.

The 45-year-old songstress – who recently had a war of words with her ex-husband Nick Lachey – and 46-year-old former NFL player were both in attendance for their 12-year-old son Ace Knute’s sixth grade graduation in LA.

Despite it being a celebratory occasion, it seemed to be rather frosty between the former couple as they barely interacted with Simpson trailing behind Johnson while walking to dinner at Japanese hibachi chain Benihana.

Also in attendance were the estranged couple’s two other children – 14-year-old daughter Maxwell ‘Maxi’ Drew and seven-year-old daughter Birdie Mae – at the commencement event.

Simpson’s teenage daughter Maxi towered over her while 6 feet 3 Johnson held hands with their youngest child.

The Irresistible pop star has kept private about her relationship with her estranged husband since their split. 

Jessica Simpson had an awkward reunion with ex Eric Johnson a year-and-a-half after their split as they celebrated 12-year-old son Ace Knute’s sixth grade graduation in LA

The 45-year-old songstress walked alongside celebrant Ace (center) and eldest daughter Maxwell ‘Maxi’ Drew, 14 

Simpson announced her split from the former NFL star in January 2025 after 10 years of marriage. 

Breakup rumors first swirled in November 2024 when she began teasing new music, writing on the internet, ‘Interviews in my Nashville music room where I unearthed my singular magic.

‘This comeback is personal. It’s an apology to myself for putting up with everything I did not deserve.’ 

Simpson has moved on romantically as she has been seeing Nashville-based musician Thomas Eisenhood since the beginning of this year, according to TMZ. 

Per the outlet, the new couple met through mutual friends and Simpson’s new beau has not met her three kids yet.

Meanwhile, before tying the knot with the former NFL star in 2014 she was married to Nick Lachey from 2002-2006, however, some drama brewed between the two exes earlier this month when the 52-year-old Love is Blind host exposed Simpson for flying first class while the rest of her family sat in coach on a recent flight.

Lachey claimed he saw Simpson seated in the premium section without her three kids and estranged husband Johnson while traveling to Hawaii in April.

The reveal sparked headlines, with fans flocking to social media to share their varying opinions on Simpson’s atypical airplane seating arrangement.

Despite it being a celebratory occasion, it seemed to be rather frosty between the former couple as they barely interacted with Simpson trailing behind Johnson while walking to dinner at Japanese hibachi chain Benihana

Simpson’s teenage daughter Maxi towered over her

Johnson did share a lighthearted moment with Simpson as he took a selfie with her

Jessica donned a red silk maxi dress with black platform heels

The Irresistible pop star has kept private about her relationship with her estranged husband since their split

Simpson announced her split from the former NFL star in January 2025 after 10 years of marriage

Two weeks ago, Simpson broke her silence on the matter by confirming to photographers at LAX that Lachey was telling the truth, according to PageSix.

However, the singer/actress insisted that it was not her fault that her kids and Johnson were stuck in economy for the over six-hour flight.

‘My mom bought those tickets,’ the singer said. ‘It was my mom’s treat for us to go to Hawaii.’

Simpson’s mother Tina Ann Drew works with her at the star’s thriving fashion empire. 

The former boy bander confirmed TMZ’s reports of the run-in with Simpson during his appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen last week.

‘You know it’s been 20 years since… and so we hadn’t seen each other in those 20 years and then spent six and a half hours on a flight to Hawaii together,’ he said. ‘But when I say spent, in the same vicinity.’ 

Lachey revealed he was on the plane with his ‘whole family’, including wife Vanessa Lachey.

But then he added that Simpson was with her mother Tina Ann Drew in first class.

Simpson has moved on romantically as she has been seeing Nashville-based musician Thomas Eisenhood (pictured) since the beginning of this year, according to TMZ  

Two weeks ago, Simpson broke her silence on on an awkward airplane interaction with ex husband Nick Lachey; the exes seen in 2005 

‘Everyone was very, very cordial, very respectful,’ he said. He then added that Simpson’s ex Johnson and their children were also on board, but seated in a different section of the plane. 

‘I believe her kids and her – I’m not familiar with where they stand at this point, but her husband? But they were all on the plane, but not with us,’ Lachey said. ‘It was honestly, it was fine!’ 

Cohen then pointed out that the children were placed in a ‘separate class of service.’ 

‘The kids were in a separate class of service?’ Cohen clarified. 

‘Yes,’ an uncomfortable-looking Lachey replied. ‘Separate class of service.’ 

Following her first divorce, she was romantically linked to John Mayer and Tony Romo. 

Article source: https://www.dailymail.com/tvshowbiz/article-15875145/jessica-simpson-eric-johnson-reunion-split.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490