On May 18, 2025, Jessica Simpson stepped back into the spotlight with her first television appearance in 15 years. She returned to the stage during the American Idol Season 23 finale, performing her new single “Blame Me.” She also teamed up with finalist Josh King for a duet of her classic hit “These Boots Are Made For Walkin’.”
The American Idol judges — Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, and Lionel Richie — gave Jessica a standing ovation. But fans watching at home had a very different reaction. Social media quickly filled with harsh comments calling the performance “cringe,” “awkward,” and even “a train wreck.”
Many viewers felt Jessica’s vocals were not as strong as they remembered. Some said she sounded off-key or looked uncomfortable. One user posted, “I was embarrassed watching Jessica Simpson’s performance.” Others said the duet with Josh King felt forced and uncomfortable.
While Jessica faced most of the backlash, some fans blamed Josh King for the awkward duet. A few even said Jessica still had some stage presence and tried her best, but Josh “ruined the moment.” One fan said, “Jessica held tunes with attitude, but Josh brought the vibe down.”
Although most comments were negative, a few longtime fans supported Jessica’s return. They praised her effort and appearance but agreed the performance didn’t go as smoothly as hoped.