Jessica Simpson had a thoughtful but firm response to a fan who accused her of drinking alcohol again after years of sobriety.
On Monday, the singer and television personality shared a photo of her son, Ace, on Instagram to acknowledge his 11th birthday.
“I’m gonna be a braggin’ Mom for a moment and just say that I have the kindest, most handsome 11yr old son on the planet,” Simpson wrote. “Fun fact: we both find lucky pennies randomly every other week to WIN my scratchers together. Mama loves you Ace Knute Johnson ― OH SO VERY MUCH!!!!!!”
As of Wednesday, the photo had drawn mostly positive responses. However, one person ― for no apparent reason ― ignored Simpson’s caption in favor of making an accusation.
“STOP DRINKING!” this person wrote.
There was nothing in Simpson’s photo or caption to suggest that she’d been drinking, and in her response to the commenter, Simpson made it clear that she is committed to staying sober.
Jamie McCarthy via Getty Images
“I haven’t wanted or touched alcohol since October 2017 and it has been the best decision I’ve made for myself and family,” Simpson wrote. “Thank. You for your concern, but you have me very misunderstood. Sending love your way.”
Simpson has spoken candidly about her experiences with drug and alcohol addiction. In her 2020 memoir, “Open Book,” she recalled being too drunk to take her kids trick-or-treating on Halloween ― a moment she described as her “rock bottom.”
“I am ashamed to say that I don’t know who got them into their costumes that night,” she wrote in her book.
Since 2017, Simpson has regularly observed her sober anniversary on social media. In 2022, she shared a video of herself singing along to her song “Party of One” in a recording booth.
“The most important thing I have learned through the last 5yrs without alcohol being a guard for escapism, is that I CAN and ALWAYS WILL get through it,” she wrote at the time. “I am capable of pretty much anything I care enough about to put my mind to. I am present. I am deeply inspired. I am determined.”
Need help with substance use disorder or mental health issues? In the U.S., call 800-662-HELP (4357) for the SAMHSA National Helpline.