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Jessica Simpson is opening up about the difficult lessons she learned on her journey to sobriety, sharing an emotional message with fans during a recent concert appearance.
The singer and actress, 45, became visibly emotional while introducing her new song, Give It All Away, during a performance at Yaamava' Resort & Casino in Highland, California, on June 1. The track, co-written with Linda Perry, was inspired by her experiences after giving up alcohol.
Addressing the crowd, Simpson reflected on a realization that changed her life.
"I realized that the drinking wasn't numbing my pain," she said. "It was actually causing more pain."
The star admitted that overcoming alcohol dependence forced her to confront personal struggles she had long avoided.
"I didn't understand all of the traumas that I held onto," Simpson explained. "It was really painful once I started searching in myself to find what I could reveal, because I became somebody that I was afraid of, somebody that I just did not know and did not understand."
She also revealed that she felt isolated during that period of her life and questioned the example she was setting for those closest to her.
"I wasn't being a good role model," she said. "And I felt really alone. And it was just a crutch that wasn't working."
Despite the challenges, Simpson said she now views herself as "a work in progress" and takes pride in how far she has come.
"I celebrate each and every day that I feel alive and in my body," she told the audience. "And I'm very proud of myself."
Before performing the song, Simpson encouraged fans to be kinder to themselves when facing their own struggles.
"I want all of you to know that you should have a little grace for yourself," she said. "And everything is gonna be OK if you just give it all away."
She added, "I just pray that I can do this without crying."
Simpson has been sober since 2017.
