'I completely didn't recognize myself': Jessica Simpson reveals private struggle with alcohol in new interview
Jessica Simpson is opening up about her private struggle with alcohol in a candid new interview.
Airing Wednesday on NBC’s TODAY, Simpson joined Hoda Kotb to discuss some of the painful secrets she revealed in her aptly titled memoir, “Open Book.” The 39-year-old singer and fashion designer revealed to Kotb that prior to becoming sober in Nov. 2017, she was abusing alcohol daily.
ALSO SEE: Fans are loving Lana Del Rey's 'last minute' Grammys dress she bought at the mall
“I had started a spiral and I couldn’t catch up with myself... I was just spiralling and chasing my tail,” Simpson said.
The former “Dukes of Hazzard” star admitted that she was well aware that her drinking had become an issue, but no matter what she did she was unable to stop.
ALSO SEE: 'Let's lift women up': Jenna Bush Hager defends Meghan Markle from online mom-shamers
“I would say it openly to everyone, ‘I Know. I know, I’ll stop soon. I’ll cut back,’” she said. “For me to cut back, like I’m an all or nothing girl, and so I didn’t know it was a problem until it was.”
In her book, which hits stands on Feb. 4, Simpson recalls that the final straw came on Halloween 2017. She revealed she had already begun drinking at 7:30 am before a school assembly, and was so “zoned out” she couldn’t help her kids put on their costumes for a Halloween party.
ALSO SEE: Mom shares heartbreaking message after her children are swept out to sea by unpredictable wave
The “With You” singer admitted hiding in her room to avoid being seen by her children, purposely taking an Ambien to fall asleep.
.@JessicaSimpson tells @hodakotb in her first television interview after opening up about her battle with addiction: "I completely didn't recognize myself...I just realized I had to surrender." More of the interview airs tomorrow on @TODAYshow. pic.twitter.com/jUh7A0oD0a
— NBC News PR (@NBCNewsPR) January 28, 2020
“I slept in, afraid to see them, afraid I had failed them,” she wrote. “I hid until they left, then drank.”
The experience prompted Simpson to realize that she needed to get healthy for herself and her family.
“I completely didn’t recognize myself,” Simpson told Kotb, adding that she was never without a glitter cup filled to the brim with alcohol. “I just realized that I had to surrender. It was time to give it up and I was ready. I’m not going to miss another day. I’m not going to miss another Halloween. I’m not going to miss another Christmas. I’m going to be present.”
Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
