Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey are now officially divorced. Court papers filed Friday state that the pop stars “are restored to the status of single, unmarried persons.” In addition, Jessica’s name is restored to Jessica Simpson (from Jessica Simpson Lachey).
So there it is… another Hollywood union bites the dust. For those of you who have been sheltered from the very public break up of Lachey, 32, and Simpson, 25, here’s a brief recap:
Both stars were fledgling pop-singers (Lachey part of the boy band “98 Degrees” and Simpson a solo artist) they met at the Hollywood Christmas parade, dated, and eventually married in October of 2002. Shortly thereafter they starred in their own MTV reality show, “Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica.” Soon after the final season wrapped, the singer-actress filed for divorce.
In a statement released the day before Thanksgiving last year, Simpson and Lachey announced the split, saying: “After three years of marriage, and careful thought and consideration, we have decided to part ways. This is the mutual decision of two people with an enormous amount of respect and admiration for each other. We hope that you respect our privacy during this difficult time.”
That set off a media frenzy and fueled wide spread speculation that Simpson’s father (and manager) caused the irreconcilable rift between the couple. For his part, Lachey told Rolling Stone magazine in April that he was shocked and completely “blindsided” by his wife’s decision to separate. “I’ll tell you how I knew my marriage was over: I was told,” he said.
On Dec. 16, divorce papers were filed, by which time Simpson already had begun her new life – by moving into her new $3 million Beverly Hills home. (The Calabasas mansion she had shared with Lachey went on the market for $3.75 million and was bought by “Malcolm in the Middle” actor Justin Berfield.)
Fast forward to Friday, June 30 when the final nail was put into the marriage coffin. A California judge officially declared the couple–no longer husband and wife. However, the judge did so without settling all the financial details. No surprise, money has been an issue in the breakup. Soon after Simpson filed for divorce last December, Lachey “specified that he reserved the right to ask for spousal support,” though later denied that he planned to ask for alimony.
Since the split, both Simpson and Lachey have been working on solo projects. Simpson is currently shooting a music video for her new single “A Public Affair.” Meanwhile, Lachey has been out promoting his new album, “What’s Left of Me.”