As if perfectly timed for the release of Jessica Simpson’s album A Public Affair, Sunday afternoon’s Teen Choice Awards in Los Angeles had all the makings of a public spectacle.
During the ceremony, Simpson shared the stage with cohost (and rumored former love interest Dane Cook) while her ex-husband, Nick Lachey, who was nominated for several awards, sat in the front row.
In fact, both Simpson and Lachey were nominated for choice hotties – and could have had to appear onstage together – but neither won in that category. Instead, Jessica Alba and Orlando Bloom took home those awards.
Before the ceremony, Simpson and Lachey managed to steer clear of each other on the red carpet, as well. Simpson, who made her appearance around 4:15 p.m., trotted around with her mom Tina and hairstylist Ken Paves, who shouted “We love you, Jessica!” behind her on the carpet.
Lachey, with only his publicist in tow, did not appear on the carpet until 45 minutes later – just minutes before the live broadcast began.
Lachey also missed the first portion of the show, during which Simpson and Cook joked about their rumored romance. Cook then asked Jessica if there were anyone in the audience who could serve as her background reference. The camera flashed to a seat where the Family Guy baby, Stewie, sat.
Once in the audience, Lachey sat front and center, next to Jessica Alba and her boyfriend Cash Warren, where he remained until he was presented with the choice love song award for his single, “What’s Left of Me.” During his acceptance, a clip from his music video ran, showing girlfriend Vanessa Minillo.
Onstage Lachey joked, “I just want to start about by saying … awkward? A little bit.” (Later Simpson won for choice breakout female star in a movie for The Dukes of Hazzard.)
People
