Jessica Simpson was in a reflective mood on Thursday when she posted an “unrecognizable” photo of herself from six years ago on her Instagram Stories.
The 43-year-old Take My Breath Away hitmaker shared the snap – which she posted to her profile back in 2021 – with the caption “6 years ago.”
The Dukes Of Hazzard actress revealed in her memoir Open Book that she got sober in 2017, sharing a photo of herself in the midst of her addiction on Instagram.
The unflattering snap shows the blonde beauty looking nothing like her usual self as she sits in a dark room wearing a pink tracksuit.
In the original caption, Simpson wrote, “This person early on the morning of November 1, 2017 is an unrecognizable version of me.”
Throwback: Jessica Simpson was in a reflective mood on Thursday when she posted an “unrecognizable” photo of herself from six years ago on her Instagram Stories
A closer look: The 43-year-old Take My Breath Away hitmaker shared the snap – which she posted on her profile back in 2021 – with the caption “6 years ago.”
“Unrecognizable”: In the original caption, she explained that the photo was taken before she got sober: “This person early in the morning of November 1, 2017 is an unrecognizable version of me.”
She continued, “I had so much self-discovery to discover and explore.” I knew in that moment that I would allow myself to reclaim my light, show victory over my inner struggle for self-respect, and face this world with piercing clarity defy.”
“Personally, I had to stop drinking alcohol because it made my mind and heart circle in the same direction and, quite frankly, I was exhausted. “I wanted to feel the pain so I could wear it like a badge of honor.”
Simpson continued: “I wanted to live like a leader and break cycles to move forward – and never look back with regret or regret at any decision I made and would make for the rest of my time here in this beautiful world .”
“I can’t believe it’s been 4 years already!” It feels like maybe 2. I think that’s a good thing. Ha. The word alcoholism or the term “alcoholic” is heavily stigmatized. “The real work that needed to be done in my life was actually accepting failure, pain, brokenness, and self-sabotage.”
“Drinking wasn’t the problem.” I was. I didn’t love myself. I didn’t respect my own power. Today I do it.’
“I have come to terms with the fears and accepted the parts of my life that are just sad.” I own my personal power with soulful courage. I am extremely honest and pleasantly open. I am free.’
In her memoir, Open Book, she talked about getting sober. “I was killing myself with all the drinking and pills,” she said. “It was easy to give up alcohol. I was mad at that bottle. How it allowed me to remain complacent and callous.’
Therapy wasn’t so easy: “Through work, I allowed myself to feel the traumas I had been through.”
Transformation: The unflattering snap comes after the star denied taking Ozempic and claimed she lost 100 pounds alone; pictured in April
Bikini Body: Jessica shared over a year ago, “I’ve gained and lost 100 pounds 3x so I never thought this moment could or would happen, but I’m finally in spring and wearing a BIKINI!!!! !!”
Willpower: In an interview with Bustle published in July, she adamantly denied taking Ozempic, insisting that she lost weight through “willpower”; seen with husband Eric Johnson in June
100 pounds: Jessica revealed she lost 100 pounds six months after giving birth to her third child in September 2019 (pictured left in 2023 and right in 2012, when she was pregnant with her first child)
The unflattering snap comes after the star denied taking Ozempic and claimed she lost 100 pounds alone.
In an interview with Bustle published in July, she adamantly denied taking Ozempic and insisted she lost weight through “willpower.”
The former reality TV personality also revealed that cutting out alcohol was a major contributor to her weight loss.
‘Oh God. I mean, it’s not” – Ozempic says – “it’s willpower.” I wonder: Do people want me to drink again? Because I was heavier back then. Or do they want me to have another child? “My body can’t do that.”
She was any size from 0 to 12 (when she was pregnant).
“I’ve been lucky to have been every size,” she said. ‘For [my] Brand, understanding for women [who buy our products]and for my psyche.’
People making comments about her appearance “hurt,” she told the outlet.
“Am I going to let the negativity upset me?” No, I’m too old for that. I’m too connected to myself right now to let it derail me. “That doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt,” she said.
The whole family: Jessica has three children with former NFL player husband Eric, 44: Maxwell, 11, Ace, 10 and Birdie, four
At the end of August, she also spoke about how she doesn’t understand why there continue to be conversations about her weight.
“I think it just doesn’t have to be a conversation,” she told Access Hollywood at the time.
Throughout her more than two-decade career in the spotlight, she has repeatedly expressed feeling stuck in a never-ending rollercoaster of yo-yo dieting and over-exercising to maintain her faltering figure.
While reflecting on her weight loss journey, which included losing 100 pounds after reaching 260 pounds while pregnant with daughter Birdie Mae, the performer opened up about finding peace with her body after saying, that her role in the 2005 film Dukes of Hazzard created an unrealistic “gold standard” for her body.
Jessica has three children with husband Eric: Maxwell, 11, Ace, 10 and Birdie, four.