Most Watched Newlyweds: Jessica and Nick
N E W Y O R K, Nov. 22, 2003 -- Jessica Simpson admits that some of her antics on Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica — a reality show featuring Simpson and her husband Nick Lachey — can be classified as ditzy, but she says she is certainly not stupid.
Jessica Simpson says she doesn't mind being classified as a blonde "ditz" — but she certainly doesn't consider herself to be stupid. And it's unlikely that anyone who knows about the recent spike in her celebrity status would call her stupid either.
Simpson and Lachey just signed on for a second season of MTV's Newleyweds. The hit show has transformed the pop singer, who was once only well-known in the world of teeny boppers, into a household name.
Simpson quickly became America's favorite ditzy blonde when she revealed her confusion about tuna fish and Buffalo wings on the show.
In the infamous episode she asks Lachey, "Is this chicken, what I have, or is this fish?" as she digs into a bowl of tuna salad. "I know it's tuna, but it — it says Chicken by the Sea."
Lachey looks incredulous and says nothing.
In another episode, Simpson reveals that she believed Buffalo wings were really made of buffalo meat, and not chicken.
"I am ditzy and I am clumsy," Simpson, 23, says. "I will walk into a room and fall on my face. That's how I have always been. I'm not dumb," she said.
Lachey, 30, says he's never surprised when watching the shows, but he does like to play the moments over again, in order to teach his young wife a lesson or two.
"I will be the first to tell you, those kinds of moments happened long before there was ever a camera in our house," Lachey said, discounting rumors that his wife's gaffes were staged for the show.
The tuna incident garnered so much attention that it led to talks with Chicken of the Sea about the possibility of a spokeswoman deal.
"I need to be a mermaid on a can," Simpson said. "I don't think I ever got more publicity on one thing." Simpson says she doesn't mind that Newlyweds fans have coined a new phrase in her honor. The ribbing phrase "pulling a Jessica" only makes her smile. "I love it," she said. And why not — her hilarious goof-ups are what she has become famous for. And Simpson says she wants people to realize that being silly doesn't equal being dumb.
Some of the most interesting moments on Newlyweds are the ones everyday couples share all over the world.
When Lachey tries to sharpen Simpson's cleaning skills on the show — he says the first time Simpson held a mop was during her sexy cover shot on a recent issue of Rolling Stone magazine — viewers can identify with the couple.
On the other hand, when they're doing work for their new albums, Simpson's newly released In This Skin and Lachey's newly released SoulO, the show gives viewers an unique look at the real challenges pop singers face in today's competitive music world.
The just-marrieds say the reality show hasn't damaged their relationship at all. In fact, Lachey, who was named as one of People magazine's 50 sexiest people, said they were prepared that it would be more difficult than it actually turned out to be. He says the show has actually helped them work through some of their issues.
"We sit home and watch it together," Lachey said. "I can always rewind the TiVo and show you [Simpson] what little sense you are making there. Good newlywed therapy," he said to his new wife.
She replies with a smile, "I found out a lot about myself after watching."
Simpson will get to watch a lot more of of herself. She just signed a deal with ABC to star in her own sitcom and she is reportedly in talks with several big companies about product endorsement deals.