Jessica Simpson has somehow landed the cover of the June issue of Vanity Fair. In the accompanying interview she talks about ex-husband Nick Lachey, boyfriend and Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, marriage and her faith.
Below are excerpts from the issue, both from Simpson and from Romo talking about Simpson, sent out in a press release from the magazine, which hits stands May 6.
EX-HUSBAND NICK LACHEY, AND WHETHER OR NOT NEWLYWEDS AFFECTED THEIR MARRIAGE:
"I have not spoken to him in years. [As for the show,] in all honesty, I believe it did not affect our marriage. Because we enjoyed watching those episodes, and that will always be a time I cherish. It made me understand what marriage is, what love is, what commitment is."
WHETHER ROMO HAS SEEN NEWLYWEDS:
"A couple episodes. He thought I was cute."
MEDIA CRITICISM:
"When it comes to media criticism, that's just something I have had to train myself--literally train myself--to ignore.... I mean, the way people make it sound, I should have never been singing in the first place.... It comes with what I do, and I know that every day the media's going to challenge me, is going to want to bring me down. But I feel like I'm at such a place that I own myself, and it's authentic. I own that authentic part of myself, and none of those words are harsh enough to make me believe them.... I can't imagine saying some of the things people have said about me about anybody else."
HER RELATIONSHIP WITH HER FATHER, JOE SIMPSON:
"I can talk to my dad like he's my manager, and put 'Dad' on the back burner. We've been doing it since I was 13. So, at this point, we're in a good rhythm. A lot of people find it strange, but it's the only way I know. And I don't care to know another way, because it suits me. And we've done a pretty dang good job."
HER EARLY THOUGHTS ON MARRIAGE:
"It was what we all wanted. Go to college, get married, and have babies. It was my way of thinking. At 16, every boyfriend I had I was going to marry."
WATCHING COWBOYS GAMES WITH THE OTHER PLAYERS' WIVES:
"It's a nurturing place to be, around people who love their husbands, but it gives me anxiety to watch with them."
ON COWBOY FAN CRITICISM AND THE NICKNAME YOKO ROMO, "That's how the story goes. Can't help it. But we don't let it affect our relationship. If we did, we wouldn't be together, because it happened at the very beginning. Dating the Cowboys quarterback comes with hype, the fans, the bloggers, but I've never dated a guy that was more simple. I'm always there for him after a game, and he knows he has me to come home to."
HER FAITH:
"I'm spiritual. I live off the faith that has been instilled in me, that has never left. I've never let a stumbling block actually make me fall.... We all go through trials, but not one thing has ever made me question God. I have a great relationship with God. I can talk to him, get mad at him, frustrated with him. But, ultimately, my faith is what defines me."
TONY ROMO QUOTES:
Tony Romo on Jessica Simpson "You know, it's very hard when you lose, because games are important, and so many people put so much time and effort in. It's nice to have someone to come home to and try and make you feel better."
When asked about his famous girlfriend, Romo says he and Simpson have a lot in common: "She has a very small-town side to her. We're very similar in that we both appreciate the hometown feel to a lot of things, and live our life like that."
