Nick Lachey Says Past Marriage to Jessica Simpson Gave Him a 'Leg Up' in Relationship with Vanessa
The 'Love Is Blind' co-host reflected on his previous marriage during the show's Season 11 premiere.
Nick Lachey recently offered a rare comment on his marriage to Jessica Simpson, stating that his past experience gave him a "leg up" in his current relationship with wife Vanessa Lachey. The "Love Is Blind" co-host made these remarks during the show's Season 11 premiere on October 14.
While in the women's lounge with Vanessa, Nick spoke with contestant Erika Ellis, who expressed concerns about when to disclose past relationship experiences on dates. Ellis noted, "I’ve been married before, and I’ve had a tough time on dates in the past knowing when the right time to share that is."
Lachey, who was married to Simpson from October 2002 to June 2006, responded, "Well, as some of you may know, I was previously married before I met my incredible wife. I would make the very unique argument that it gives you a leg up because you know from that experience what it is you truly want."
Vanessa Lachey reassured Ellis, acknowledging that "We all have messy pasts, all of us."
Nick and Simpson's previous marriage was documented in the MTV reality series "Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica," which aired from 2003 to 2005. Lachey has previously spoken about the emotional impact of his divorce from Simpson, admitting it left him with "scars."
During Season 3 of Netflix's "The Ultimatum," Lachey shared, "I, too, was previously married, divorced, so I understand the hurt, the scars that exist from that. Don’t let your past define your future. What I truly always wanted in my life, which was to have a beautiful marriage and a beautiful family — if I hadn’t retained my belief in that, I wouldn’t have ever realized the beautiful life I have with this woman," referring to Vanessa.
Nick and Vanessa Lachey married in 2011 and have three children: son Camden, daughter Brooklyn, and son Phoenix. Simpson and her estranged husband, Eric Johnson, announced their split in January 2025 after ten years of marriage. Simpson has since begun a public relationship with musician Thomas Eisenhood.