Not since the 2000 presidential election has American media been so divided on one subject: Are Nick and Jessica together or not? One could argue the tabloid fight over the “Newlyweds” couple is even more heated, if not quite as controversial. What’s the true status of Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson’s marriage? Depends on what you read.
THEY’RE HAPPY!
OK! magazine
Party line: “Love is in the air”
Their proof: “No split decision for Nick and Jessica,” OK! declared in its Oct. 24 issue. Pictures of the couple smiling and embracing accompany a short article about them shooting down split rumors generated by Us Weekly and Star magazines. Of course, Jessica reportedly is being paid by OK! to provide them with exclusive content, so it’s hard to tell the difference between proof and spin.
People magazine
Party line: “Nick on marriage: ‘Everything’s perfect’ “
Their proof: After rival mag Us Weekly declared the couple broken up, People swooped in to photograph Nick and Jessica smiling and holding hands in London before jetting off on a European vacation.
Lachey, Simpson and her father/manager, Joe Simpson
Party line: Don’t believe the hype
Their proof: Team Simpson has denied rumors of a break up from the get-go. A rep for the couple put out a statement saying: “Nick and Jessica have not separated. Rumors to the contrary are simply not true.” Jessica says she is sometimes photographed without her wedding ring because she is forgetful. Nick and Jessica readily admit to arguing, but say they’re just like any other married couple and work through their differences.
IT’S SPLITSVILLE!
Us Weekly magazine
Party line: “Split!”
Their proof: To summarize Us Weekly’s breathless coverage: Nick and Jessica never seem happy to be around each other; they’ve grown apart while working on different entertainment projects; Jessica parties too much, and both are rumored to have strayed; they don’t wear their wedding rings unless they know they’re being photographed; they stand to lose too much money if they go public with their split; and Jessica’s father, Joe, is milking every cent out of the relationship before it dissolves. Whew. Think that covers it.
Life & Style magazine
Party line: “It’s over”
Their proof: The mag cited an unnamed source that “overheard” Jessica sobbing and moaning “Nick doesn’t want me anymore” on a flight to L.A.
Star magazine
Party line: “Why are they still faking it?”
Their proof: Nick has been crashing at a friend’s pad, Star alleges, and yet the couple keeps up appearances. Why? Star has several theories, one of which is that Joe Simpson doesn’t want Jessica’s marital problems to overshadow sister Ashlee’s new album.
The New York Post
Party line: “Jessica & Nice farce goes on”
Their proof: Nick took a solo trip to Las Vegas for a charity event and won’t be accompanying Jessica on her own charity visit to Africa. As a result, they reportedly will spend their third wedding anniversary apart. A rep for Simpson says Nick couldn’t make the Africa trip “because of work commitments in L.A.”
