Nick Lachey is still trying to work through his painful split with estranged wife Jessica Simpson, but shockingly still watches episodes of their reality show Newlyweds: Nick And Jessica and finds them hysterical. The couple separated in November (05) and Lachey recently found time to sit down and watch some of the old shows. He explains, “I haven’t seen them for over two-years and I found myself laughing again, despite all that’s going on.” The couple, finalised their divorce yesterday (30Jun06), and Lachey is certain the couple’s celebrity status added strain to their marriage. He explains, “If you let it, it can (add stress). It’s certainly easier said than done to avoid it. “But you don’t get a chance to go back and change things, do you? “You make your decisions at the time and hope they work out.”

Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey are officially divorced, rep Rob Shuter confirms to PEOPLE exclusively.

According to papers filed in L.A. County Superior Court, the divorce is dated June 30, 2006, and Jessica’s name is restored to Jessica Simpson (from Jessica Simpson Lachey).

On Thursday, documents were released in which the former couple asked that retired Superior Court Judge Dana Senit Henry be appointed “for the sole purpose of” ending their marriage. They asked the judge to “bifurcate” the case, meaning to make the divorce official without settling all the financial details.

In fact, money has been a sticking point between the couple. Soon after Simpson filed for divorce last December, Lachey specified that he reserved the right to ask for spousal support, though in a published interview he denied that he planned to ask for alimony.

The end of Simpson and Lachey’s marriage concludes the dramatic final chapter in the relationship of the couple who married in 2002 and then starred together in the MTV reality series Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica, which chronicled their early, happier days together.

In a statement released the day before Thanksgiving last year, Simpson and Lachey announced their split, saying: “After three years of marriage, and careful thought and consideration, we have decided to part ways. This is the mutual decision of two people with an enormous amount of respect and admiration for each other. We hope that you respect our privacy during this difficult time.”

On Dec. 16, divorce papers were filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, by which time Simpson already had begun her new life – by moving into her new $3 million Beverly Hills home. (The Calabasas mansion she had shared with Lachey went on the market for $3.75 million and was bought by Malcolm in the Middle actor Justin Berfield.)

“She’s happy to have a house that’s hers,” someone close to the pop star told PEOPLE at the time. “This is the first time she’s making her own decisions.”

For his part, Lachey confided to Rolling Stone in April that he was taken by complete surprise when Simpson dropped the D-word to him. “I’ll tell you how I knew my marriage was over: I was told,” he said, explaining that he was “blindsided” when his then-wife told him after dinner last November that she wanted to split up.

As for seeking out a new relationship, Simpson told Maxim magazine recently that, “A guy with a great imagination sends me through the rafters. … I love it!”

Since the split, both Simpson, 25, and Lachey, 32, have been linked to a variety of new partners. Most recently, she was seen engaging in a public flirtation with Jared Leto. Lachey, alternately, has been said to be romancing Vanessa Minnillo and/or stylist Kim Kardashian.

Professionally, Simpson has been causing quite a buzz with her new video for her single “A Public Affair.” Simpson costars in it with Eva Longoria, Christina Applegate and Ryan Seacrest among others, and shot it recently at a Los Angeles roller rink.

Lachey, meanwhile, has been out promoting his new album, What’s Left of Me.

People

“Everything you think you know about Jessica Simpson - forget it. Here she comes with the best music ever, a fun summer blockbuster smash called ‘A Public Affair,’ an irresistible fresh look, and a video packed with exciting surprises. I am so proud to be a part of this moment with her as she’s about to knock everyone off their feet.” - Brett Ratner, Director, “X-Men: The Last Stand”

“Jessica Simpson opens a new chapter in her life ready to set the charts ablaze. This record is perfect!” boasts Chuck Taylor of Billboard magazine.

This week, superstar JESSICA SIMPSON is kicking off the launch of her forthcoming album “A Public Affair” with the release of her first single, a dance-pop summer smash single also entitled “A Public Affair.” Reminiscent of a fun roller-skating jam, co-written by Jessica and Johnta Austin (Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige) and produced by Lester Mendez, the anthem is about a girl’s night out.

This weekend, Brett Ratner of “X-Men” fame directed a star-studded video chronicling a fun night out with Jessica and her celebrity friends. Jessica Simpson is joined in the clip by EVA LONGORIA, CHRISTINA APPLEGATE, CHRISTINA MILIAN, MARIA MENOUNOS, ANDY DICK AND RYAN SEACREST. Jessica will appear on MTV’s “TRL” on July 19th to unveil the video; her appearance will be preceded by an exclusive “Making the Video” special.

On Tuesday, June 27th, a major pre-order campaign launches with lots of incentives for fans. When fans log on to www.JessicaSimpson.com to order the album in advance of August 29th, they will also receive an exclusive DVD featuring a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the album, and the chance to win a trip to New York City for a fans-only party with Jessica herself. And that day in the mobile space, Epic Records will launch a creative multi-city street advertising campaign in ten major markets with posters reading Text “Jess” to the short code 33992 where people can text to hear the song. They’ll also be able to download the ringtone and sign up to receive text messages about Jessica. The text campaign is available across all major US Carriers. Yahoo! is launching their “Get Your Freak On” contest where fans will to create their own version of the video submitting a 30-second clip of them grooving to the new tune. The best and hottest performers will be included in a special fans-only video for the new track, premiering exclusively on Yahoo! Music, July 10th.

This is Jessica’s fifth solo album, “A Public Affair,” to be released on August 29th, 2005. Simpson boasts song writing credits on 9 out of the 12 slated tracks, produced by the most sought-after producers in the business: Lester Mendez, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Cory Rooney, Scott Storch and Stargate.

Simpson started her multi-platinum musical career in 1999 with her major label debut, “Sweet Kisses” that spawned the smash single, “I Wanna Love You Forever.” 2 years later she followed up with “Irresistible” in 2001. By her third album in 2003, Simpson showcased her maturity with the triple platinum “In This Skin,” which spawned hits like “With You” and the reworked Berlin track, “Take My Breath Away.” Her last effort in 2004 was “Rejoice: A Christmas Album,” showcasing cherished holiday favorites.

TMZ has obtained legal documents which make it all but certain that Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey are both about to become legally single.

The documents, which were signed by both Simpson and Lachey and filed in L.A. County Superior Court, ask that a retired judge be appointed specifically to enter a divorce decree.

In legal terms, Simpson and Lachey are asking to “bifurcate” the divorce case, meaning the divorce can become final and the parties can then deal with the messy financial matters separately. The documents ask that retired Judge Dana Senit Henry be appointed “for the sole purpose of conducting the hearing, if any, with respect to the bifurcated issue of the termination of marital status.”

The documents, which TMZ obtained from the court, need a “sign off” from the presiding judge before it becomes official. The judge is on vacation until next week. Assuming he signs it — and there is no reason he wouldn’t — Judge Senit Henry could issue the divorce decree immediately. Under California law, a divorce decree cannot become final until six months after the divorce petition is filed. Jessica officially filed for divorce on December 16, 2005, just over six months ago.

As TMZ first reported, Jessica and Nick are worlds apart on how their property will be divided. Under California law, all earnings and most other assets acquired during their marriage are divided 50/50. Jessica, who has earned tens of millions of dollars, has offered Nick a scant $1.5 million to walk away from the marriage. Nick has balked at that amount. So, the stage is set for a court battle over money.

Click to read the court documents.

I know I haven’t updated the gallery in a few days, and that is due to me changing the gallery. It has taken me ages to get it just the way I want it and get all the pictures up. I still have thousands more pictures to add but I think it’s time to start adding new pictures again =) I will add the older pictures here and there when I have time. Well, here are the latest pictures of Jess <3

While out and about in New York City on Wednesday, Jessica Simpson plays around with her hairstyles – and tries to beat the heat with a braid. The singer is in town to promote her new song, “A Public Affair.”

People

Simpson may have a new beau, but it looks like she lost the “Lucy Ewing” role to 19 year old Katie Cassidy, daughter of ex-teen idol and actor/singer, David Cassidy.

Simpson was widely mentioned as the frontrunner for the part of Lucy Ewing in the big screen remake of “Dallas.”

According to US Weekly, “Click” star Katie Cassidy has landed the part. Cassidy is best-known for her role in “7th Heaven.”

“Dallas” also stars Jennifer Lopez, who allegedly did not want Simpson cast in the flick. “She’s hoping for a no-name actress [to play Lucy Ewing],” a source told Us Weekly back in May. “Jennifer didn’t want a diva on the set.”

Jessica Simpson insists she’s not ready to date and is still recovering from the break up from her estranged husband Nick Lachey. A teary-eyed Simpson was interviewed by “E! News” co-host Ryan Seacrest, who also made an appearance in her latest music video for A Public Affair.

When Seacrest asked her if she was at the point where she felt she could start dating again, she said, “No, not yet.” The host then asked her if she thought she would be ready to get back into the dating scene anytime soon, and she said wistfully, “I don’t know …”

Trying to lighten the somber mood, Simpson added optimistically, “Somebody’s got to ask me out!”

Jessica Simpson insists she has no desire to sing about her break-up from estranged husband Nick Lachey. The singer announced she was divorcing her husband in November (05) and Lachey wrote the song ‘What’s Left Of Me’ about getting through the split. Simpson says she has no plans to follow suit saying, “I never really wanted to sing about that. I don’t feel like singing the blues. “I’m not really in that frame of mind. It really is just about me going out and having fun.” Simpson says her new song, ‘A Public Affair’, is not about romance, but light-hearted fun. She adds, “You know what, I’m going to go out and have a good time with my girlfriends and my friends and just make it a public affair.”

When it came time for Jessica Simpson to shoot the video for her new single “A Public Affair,” she made a couple of calls to some all-star friends. Eva Longoria, Christina Applegate and Christina Milian all join the pop-princess for the rollerskating themed shoot, making them some of the hottest women on wheels.

Simpson’s certainly having a bit more fun with her record than ex Nick Lachey’s somber “What’s Left of Me.” “My album’s definitely a reflection of where I am this very moment. It’s happy, it’s summer, I just want to get out with my girlfriends and have a good time and enjoy myself,” says Jessica about the new record.

So how did Simpson get them all to take a day to skate with her? “She said you better be there biatch!” says Applegate while getting a foot massage from Brett Ratner. “No. She just asked me please, so I said of course.”

Longoria was a little worried about the shoot since it had been a while since she last laced up. “8th grade maybe. It’s been a while, but Applegate is an expert so if I fall, I’m bringing her down with me.”

Simpson’s new album, “A Public Affair,” is set for release August 29th.

TMZ

Click image to watch the video! =)