Jessica Simpson is getting her groove back after her split from estranged husband Eric Johnson.
The 43-year-old pop star behind hits such as “I Wanna Love You Forever,” “I Think I Love You” and “With You” performed her first show in 15 years at the Recording Academy’s Block Party at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas on Wednesday night.
“Last night, was my first performance in 15 years. It was an emotional coming back home to the best part of myself,” Simpson wrote on Instagram in a post featuring footage of the set.
“Thank you for embracing me. You know that I have so much to say, but this lucky voice gets to soar again tonight. I love y’all. More to come.”
The singer delivered a six-song set that included new tunes including “Breadcrumbs” and “Leave,” and a cover of the Dusty Springfield classic “Son of a Preacher Man.”
Simpson, who hadn’t performed live since the 2010 Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony, also sang her remake of Nancy Sinatra’s hit “These Boots Are Made For Walkin’” — which she covered for the 2005 “Dukes of Hazzard” soundtrack — along with two more new songs, “Blame Me” and “Use My Heart Against Me.” Those tracks are slated to appear on her upcoming “Nashville Canyon, Part I” EP, due March 21.
She recently released “Use My Heart Against Me” and “Leave” as her first new music since her 2010 “Happy Christmas” album.
“This time I needed to remember who I was and why I wanted to sing in the first place and all the music that inspires me,” she told the crowd. “And I need to forget who they told me to be.”
Describing how therapeutic her Nashville writing and recording sessions, which find her branching into country territory, she said, “The songs kept coming, I was so inspired, it was such a beautiful moment. But within that moment, my life turned upside down and there was no way I was going to let it keep me from my purpose.
“There was no way I was going to let the light go dim. I’ve done that before and it really only held me back and made me so insecure. And I can say today that I love myself, I love the woman that I am, I love the mother that I am, I love the friend I am and I know that heartbreak,” she went on. “You write some good music when you go through heartbreak… so, I guess take advantage of it?”
In January, Simpson announced her split from former NFL player Johnson.
“Eric and I have been living separately navigating a painful situation in our marriage,” Simpson — who shares three children with Johnson — said in a statement at the time.
“Our children come first, and we are focusing on what is best for them. We are grateful for all of the love and support that has been coming our way, and appreciate privacy right now as we work through this as a family.”
Continuing her country pivot, Simpson was also a surprise guest at Thursday night’s annual Luck Reunion at Willie Nelson’s ranch in Luck, Texas. She performed “Use My Heart Against Me,” “Breadcrumbs” and another new song, “Sunday Lover,” as well as the “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’.”
