Jessica Simpson issues epic clapback to those who judged her ‘chicken of the sea’ moment

Jessica Simpson’s legacy in reality TV is defined by her infamous “chicken of the sea” moment. Here’s what she thinks of it now.

After disappearing from the public eye a few years ago, Jessica Simpson’s recent candour has seen her thrust back into headlines – sharing her battle with addiction, her past of sexual abuse and details of her high-profile romances.

But 17 years ago, it was a few words she uttered while sitting on her couch eating tuna that became her most talked-about revelation.

“Is this chicken, what I have, or is this fish?” was the unlikely query that cemented the pop singer’s legacy in reality TV.

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Speaking to Stellar magazine, Simpson had an epic clapback for those who mocked her for the infamous conversation with ex-husband Nick Lachey in Newlyweds, during which she appeared baffled by the branding of the tuna – or “chicken of the sea” – she was eating.

Jessica Simpson is this weekend’s Stellar cover star, available inside The Sunday Telegraph, Sunday Herald Sun and The Sunday Mail.

Asked if she was frustrated by the scene remaining a part of her identity, she said “not at all”.

“I always have asked a lot of questions and sometimes I don’t think things through before I ask, like the chicken of the sea thing.

“But nothing that I’ve said out loud I regret; it’s who I am and the way I see it.”

The head of clothing empire The Jessica Simpson Collection went on deliver an expert slam to those who questioned her intelligence after the episode aired.

“People can say whatever the heck they want to say about me.

I really don’t care because they’re probably walking on my name already. My logo is likely to be on the bottom of their shoes,” she quipped.

For Jessica’s full interview, Stellar Magazine is available inside The Sunday Telegraph, Sunday Herald Sun and The Sunday Mail.

It’s not the first time the mega-successful star’s charming-yet-brutal honesty has come to light.

In her memoir, she wrote of instructing her dad and then-manager to pay Lachey whatever he asked for in their divorce settlement, given she was confident she would make the money back.

In her book, she writes: “And I did, give or take a billion.”

“I mean, I was speaking the truth; it was honest,” she told Stellar, laughing, of the blunt yet brilliant line.

“At the time I wanted to move forward with my life and not have to hold up just because of money, so I was like, “Give it over to him.” I knew in my heart it would come back around.

“I never thought it would be a billion, though. Talk about playing the long game,” she said.

Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey divorced in 2006, after four years of marriage and four years of dating. Picture: Getty. 

Speaking of the topics in the memoir, she said she’s feeling “relaxed” baring all to the world, as she has nothing to be ashamed of.

“The person I’m presenting to people is very vulnerable and very raw, but I can take ownership over her,” she told Stellar.

“So no, I feel inspired to do interviews and to reach out to as many people as possible.”

The star has recently been promoting her new memoir "Open Book". Picture: AP.

Among the bombshell revelations are frank accounts of her relationships with Nick Lachey, Justin Timberlake, Johnny Knoxville, Tony Romo and John Mayer.

In one excerpt, she discusses Mayer’s infamous “sexual napalm” comment in an interview with Playboy.

“A woman and how they are in bed is not something that is ever talked about. It was shocking,” she said of reading the quote, which he had given after they broke up.

Mayer had told the publication: “Yeah, that girl is like crack cocaine to me. Sexually it was crazy.”

Adding, “That’s all I’ll say. It was like napalm, sexual napalm.”

Jessica Simpson and John Mayer dated for a year from 2006. Picture: Supplied.

Asked if she has heard from any of her exes as a result of the book, she said she ensured they would have no way of being able to get in touch.

“I have completely cut off all connection with everyone,” she said.

“I changed my phone number and email when I met my husband Eric (Johnson).

“Nobody has been able to get a hold of me and if anybody tries they will not be able to get to me.”

Open Book also delves into Jessica’s addiction issues and eventual 2017 sobriety.

“I was killing myself with all the drinking and pills,” the mother of three shared in an excerpt with People.

In late 2017, the singer, 39, said she was “pretty (close to) rock-bottom” and made the decision to seek treatment to get sober.

“Quitting was the easy part,” she said. “I was mad at that bottle. At how it allowed me to stay complacent and numb.”

Simpson believes her dependency on drugs and alcohol was partially brought on by the trauma surrounding childhood sexual abuse that began when she was six.

While sharing a bed with a family friend’s daughter, “it would start with tickling my back and then go into things that were extremely uncomfortable. For six years, I was abused by this girl during our family’s visits,” she explained.

For the full story, Stellar Magazine is available inside The Sunday Telegraph, Sunday Herald Sun and The Sunday Mail.

For more from Stellar, head to www.stellarmag.com.au