Jessica Simpson returned to the MTV Video Music Awards red carpet Sunday in New York’s UBS Arena, wearing a black cut‑out, corseted tulle gown by Christian Siriano and marking her first VMA appearance in 19 years.
Simpson, who served as a presenter at the ceremony, chose a look from Siriano’s Resort 2025 collection that retails for $7,900. She accessorized with drop earrings and styled her blond waves in a tousled ponytail. Simpson posted on Instagram earlier in the week, writing, “Back to where it all began!” as she teased her appearance.
The gown’s sheer tulle and structured corset drew attention on the red carpet, where Simpson joined a roster of celebrity presenters that included Brittany Snow, Ciara, Drew Barrymore, Ice Spice, Latto, Livvy Dunne, Paris Hilton, Nikki Glazer and Meg Stalter. It was Simpson’s first VMAs outing since 2006; she last won a VMA in 2004.
The red carpet appearance follows a renewed focus on music for Simpson this year. In May she returned to the stage for the first time in about 15 years, performing four songs from her new album, "Nashville Canyon," on American Idol. The performances and recent promotional appearances — including a curve‑hugging leather bodysuit for album promotion and a sparkling see‑through dress at a birthday party at Chateau Marmont — have signaled a stylistic and professional resurgence.
Simpson’s presence at the VMAs also had a family element: her sister, Ashlee Simpson, made her first appearance at the awards show in 17 years, arriving in a slinky sequined gown. The sisters’ joint attendance underscored the evening’s mix of legacy acts and contemporary stars.
Televised presenters and performances at the 2025 VMAs reflected both established entertainers and newer names in pop and hip‑hop. Simpson’s return to the awards comes amid a summer of heightened visibility for the singer as she promotes her album and reestablishes a performance profile that has been largely dormant since the early 2010s.
Simpson did not receive nominations at this year’s awards but presented on the live broadcast, closing a nearly two‑decade gap since her last appearance on the VMAs red carpet and reinforcing the momentum of her recent return to music and live performance.