Jessica Simpson subtly dissed her ex-husband Nick Lachey as fans accused him of being the villain in their marriage.
The fashion designer shared her reaction to the online conversation in an interview with Bustle published Thursday, saying, “It’s amazing what publicity can do.”
The outlet noted that the “Employee of the Month” actress also gave a “better-late-than-never shrug” in the interview published Thursday.
A resurfaced clip from their early 2000s reality show, “Newlyweds,” showed the “Love Is Blind” co-host confronting his then-wife over their home renovations and repeatedly calling her a “brat.”
He added, “You’re a spoiled brat. You’re a bratty girl.”
The “Irresistible” singer responded in the scene, “I am not. I’m a nice girl. I treat you very nice.”
At the time, Simpson, 42, had been criticized for her ditzy behavior, while Lachey, 49, was portrayed as the trophy husband.
However, the reality series has since found popularity again with a new generation who have heavily scrutinized the 98 Degrees alum.
“Growing up is realizing Nick was the problem…. the whole time,” one TikTok user commented.
“Wow… this hits differently watching now as a married adult,” another chimed in.
“Can’t believe I was disappointed when they divorced. They was not meant for each other,” a third person wrote.
The exes were married from 2002 to 2006, and their TV show ran for two seasons on MTV.
Simpson has since moved on with husband Eric Johnson. The couple tied the knot in 2014 and share three kids together, Maxwell Drew, 11, Ace Knute, 10, and Birdie Mae, 4.
As for Nick, he married wife Vanessa Lachey in 2011. The two also share three children, Camden John, 10, Brooklyn Elisabeth, 8, and Phoenix Robert, 6.
The “What’s Left of Me” singer has previously said that “the best thing that could’ve ever happened” to him was not having kids with Simpson.
Speaking on Jenny McCarthy’s SiriusXM radio show in November 2014, he said, “You’re always going to love your kids, no matter how you feel about their other parent, but all things being equal it was the best thing for both of us.”
More recently, Nick joked during the “Love Is Blind” Season 3 reunion that “marriage is always better the second time.”
