Jessica Simpson is taking it all the way back to 2003 with a reference to her infamous “Housewife of the Year” Rolling Stone magazine cover.
This time, though, Simpson’s photo is a little more relevant to the state of the world as it currently stands.
In 2003, Jessica Simpson covered Rolling Stone magazine while wearing underwear and holding a Swiffer Wet Jet. The headline? “Housewife of the Year.”
At the time, Simpson was married to Nick Lachey, and the couple starred in the reality TV show Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica on MTV. The show, while wildly popular, painted Simpson, who had a moderately successful singing career, as a somewhat simple housewife. Yes, it was problematic. Yes, it is one of the earliest examples of the kind of reality TV show we’re still watching today, predating Keeping Up with the Kardashians by three years.
Things have changed a lot for Simpson since then. For one thing, she’s no longer married to Lachey. Now, she’s an incredibly successful businesswoman and author. She is married to Eric Johnson, with whom she shares three children: Maxwell (7), Ace (6), and Birdie Mae (1).
17 years later, Simpson shared a sort-of parody of the infamous cover to her Instagram page.
In the photo, Simpson can be seen holding a Swiffer and other cleaning supplies, although her outfit is certainly more casual. Like just about everyone else, she has been self-isolating as the novel coronavirus continues to wreak havoc across the world. And, again, like most of us… she’s keeping busy by cleaning and disinfecting her household.
“Housewife of the Year looks a little different these days,” Simpson’s caption reads, as a nod to the way our world is changing.
Simpson has been updating her fans and followers since the outbreak began. In one post, embedded above, she spoke directly to the anxiety many of us are feeling. “I know people are struggling with fear, anxiety, and also with sorrowful loss,” she said. “My faith in God, knowing that with him all things are possible, has been my strength when I feel overwhelmed,” she continued, before adding a favorite psalm.
“After weeks of quarantine, I have found my quiet place. I urge everyone to cause yourself to let go, be silent with listening ears toward God,” she added.
Earlier this year, Simpson’s first book, a memoir titled Open Book, was published. It was a #1 New York Times Bestseller.