Jessica Simpson Returns to the Stage for Willie Nelson Duet

This marked Simpson's first time back on stage in years.

Written by Lauren Laffer
Jessica Simpson Returns to the Stage for Willie Nelson Duet
Willie Nelson and Jessica Simpson; Photo via Instagram

It’s been a minute since Jessica Simpson has performed live, but that didn’t stop her from stepping onstage with a country music legend late last week. On Thursday night (8/9), the fashion mogul surprised fans at the Orange County Fair when Willie Nelson invited her to join him for a special duet.

“My good buddy Jessica Simpson and I are gonna sing a song together,” Nelson told the crowd.

Simpson hit the stage in a black-and-white polka dot dress and knee-high bedazzled cowboy boots. The two embraced before kicking off their duet of “I Will Be Your Fool.”

The night was extra special for Simpson as her husband Eric and kids, daughter Maxwell and son Ace, were in the crowd. It marked the first time they got to see her perform onstage.

“It’s not every night that a legend invites you to join him on his stage,” she captioned a photo from the collaboration. “And my husband and kids got to see me perform for the first time! I love you @willienelsonofficial.”

Simpson has been a longtime Nelson fan, having even dressed up as the country crooner for Halloween in 2017.

Simpson first made her mark on music with her 1999 pop album Sweet Dreams. She made three more albums before crossing over to country with Do You Know in 2008. Her last full-length project was 2010’s Happy Christmas. The Texas native also starred as Daisy Duke in the movie version of The Dukes of Hazzard (2005), recording “These Boots Are Made for Walkin'” for the film. The song earned Simpson her fourth top 20 song on the Billboard Hot 100.’