Singer Jessica Simpson, who in 2025 returned to live shows following a 15-year break, continues her limited tour with a stop Thursday at Wind Creek Event Center, Wind Creek Boulevard, Bethlehem.

During her hiatus, “I became a mother, I built a business, and I went through heartbreak, healing and rediscovery,” said Simpson, who in early 2025 announced her separation from husband Eric Johnson. Simpson and the former NFL tight end, who married in 2014, share two daughters and a son.

Simpson, who launched The Jessica Simpson Collection lifestyle/fashion brand in 2005, also took a 15-year break from new music, barring a 2021 cover of rock band Nothing But Thieves’ “Particles.” That also changed in 2025, with Simpson releasing two “Nashville Canyon” EPs.

“‘Nashville Canyon’ is about freedom. I let the songs lead instead of worrying about where they fit.”

The sets, a departure from the pop music that defined the early part of her career, fuse genres such as soul, blues, Americana, country and rock. “Blame Me,” “Use My Heart Against Me,” “Leave,” “Fade” and “Hopeless Romance” rank among the projects’ tracks.

Simpson, during a recent performance in California, debuted a new song, “Give It All Away.” The entertainer’s sobriety journey and recovery from alcohol addiction inspired the track, which she co-wrote with Linda Perry. Simpson previously tackled addiction with the aforementioned “Particles.”

Born in Abilene, Texas, Simpson, daughter of a minister, sang in church choir at a local Baptist church. The singer/actress, who recorded a Christian/gospel album in her early teens and famously pledged to remain a virgin until marriage, later found herself a part of the late-1990s teen-pop boom.

Simpson released seven studio albums through 2010, scoring hits such as “I Wanna Love You Forever,” “I Think I’m in Love With You,” “Irresistible,” “With You,” “A Public Affair” and “Come on Over.”

Among her hit covers, Simpson’s reworking of Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots Are Made For Walkin’” appeared in 2005’s “The Dukes of Hazzard” film adaptation, in which Simpson played Daisy Duke.

On the small screen, MTV’s “Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica” chronicled the early part of Simpson’s 2002-2006 marriage to singer Nick Lachey. The 2003-2005 series became a pop culture phenomenon, with Simpson, in the premiere, pondering whether a can of Chicken of the Sea tuna was fish or poultry.

Prior to her show in Bethlehem, Simpson — whose younger sister Ashlee also enjoyed 2000s-era music success — reflected on her multi-faceted career.

Q: When did you know you wanted to pursue singing?

A: I don’t remember a time when I didn’t want to sing. My parents talk about me singing around the house from when I could first talk.

The first time I knew my purpose was to use my voice was when I attended a church youth camp and the pastor said “someone in this room is going to use their voice to change the world.” I felt it in my soul; that was me, I was going to use my voice.

Q: Who were some inspirations/influences when you started recording?

A: My faith was a big part of my upbringing; gospel music and worship music were always around me. I was inspired by artists like CeCe Winans, Whitney Houston, Amy Grant and Mariah Carey. They brought so much emotion to their music. I always wanted people to feel something when I sang, too.

Q: Having released a country album in 2008, what does country and rockabilly music mean to you?

A: I love country music storytelling and honesty, and the way it can create this intimate relationship between the artist and listener. I love the country community. Making my country record was one of my favorite experiences in music so far.

I have always loved rock ‘n’ roll music and wanted to go back and discover the roots of it, and I found rockabilly, which feels the most natural to me as an artist.

Q: What was the biggest challenge in your career?

A: Learning how to make music for me and follow my own path. For so long, I was trying to anticipate what others wanted from me. I’ve had to build confidence, resilience, independence and inner peace to put it out in the world and have my opinion be the only one that counts. If I become who people have made me, I would be so far away from my heart it would be an uncomfortable way to live.

Q: What have been your proudest and most disappointing moments?

A: My proudest moments will always be my children. I’m proud of building a business that has empowered so many women while staying true to who I am. I am also proud of my memoir ‘Open Book,’ which not only broke records, but also connected people back to who I am as a person.

Going on my book tour, I heard many intimate stories from people. It fueled me with purpose to be vulnerable and share my truth. It is my superpower; throughout the years, my fans have taught me that.

As for disappointments, I’ve had projects that didn’t resonate how I’d hoped, but I know every setback has led me to somewhere important. I always find the beauty in the challenge.

Q: What was the best and worst advice you ever received?

A: The best advice was to trust my instincts. You are your own best guide. The worst advice was probably anything that tried to change who I am. Whenever I’ve tried to fit into someone else’s idea of who I should be, it has never worked and it has been deeply uncomfortable.

Q: What was something that shocked you during your career?

A: How interested people could become in parts of my life that had nothing to do with my work.

Q: Name one misconception about you, and what about you would surprise people?

A: A misconception is that what people see in the press represents the whole of who I am.

People might be surprised to know how much of my life is spent writing, reflecting, journaling and creating. They might also not know that I am very competitive at games and I love to ski and jet-ski. I am a thrill seeker and no roller coaster is fast enough.

Q: Do you enjoy your music, acting and business ventures equally?

A: They all fulfill different parts of me. Music is my soul. Acting allowed me to explore different characters and tell stories in a new way.

Business has been empowering because it gave me the opportunity to build something lasting and connect with women in a different capacity. I’ve always been creative, and entrepreneurship became another outlet for creativity.

Q: Have you journaled lately, and do you plan to release more new music in the future?

A: I’ve been journaling. It’s how I make sense of the world and stay connected to myself. My journals have inspired so much of my recent music, and I’m always writing, so definitely more ahead.