Jessica Simpson is said to be "devastated" by a recent tell-all interview
that her ex, Nick Lachey, gave to a magazine about their relationship.
In the published interview Lachey said he still loved Jessica, felt
"blindsided" and "sucker punched" by her decision to divorce and that she
refused to try counseling.
Jessica's reaction? "She was devastated, heartbroken," says an insider. "She
didn't think he would do that."
Friends gathered at Simpson's house on the day the article came out to
console her. And Lachey himself even called to check in. "He wanted her to hear
it from him," says a Lachey friend. "He felt bad that she was upset. (But) Nick
didn't apologize, because the things he said (in the article) only demonstrate
that he loves her."
Simpson sees it differently. "What really upset her
was the timing," says the insider. "Nick waited until two weeks before for his
album to debut (Lachey's CD, What's Left of Me, will be released May 9] to tell
a reporter that he loved Jessica. That's not cool." Furthermore, the insider
adds, "he keeps saying, 'I'm sorry I couldn't make her happy,' but he is not
choosing to say why."
For her part, Simpson chooses to remain tight-lipped. She was scheduled to be
interviewed for a Vanity Fair cover story, but that has since been canceled
after it became clear that she would have to talk about the divorce. "She will
not take the low road," says the insider.
Instead she is throwing herself into recording her next album and launching a
line of hair extensions. "Financially and businesswise, she's hotter than she's
ever been," says the insider.
In fact, money may be a sticking point between the two. Soon after Jessica
filed for divorce in December, Nick specified that he reserved the right to ask
for spousal support, though the published interview says he denies he will ask
for alimony. Another possible sore point, adds the insider: "The family thinks
Nick is attacking everybody but himself."
But his friends beg to differ. "Nick took responsibility for the split more
than anyone else," says a friend.
While Jessica's father and manager, Joe, is sometimes mentioned as a force
behind the breakup, the friend says, "Nick doesn't blame Joe. It's no one's
fault. He doesn't blame Jessica."
Still, the friend adds, "Nick never wanted this marriage to end. He would
never want to hurt her."