Jessica Simpson has been very successful in making her transition from pop star and country singer to savvy businesswoman and fashion designer, and the fact that she has the biggest celebrity fashion empire is testament to that. However, her most recent public appearances are fueling older reports that she may have a drinking problem.
The other day, Jessica did a pre-scheduled 2-hour live appearance on the Home Shopping Network to promote her new line of clothes and accessories, and the result, as you can see in the video and the tweets below, was a sheer disaster.
Regardless of what people said online, she wasn’t drunk, though.
Live TV is bound to have awkward moments
Minutes into Simpson’s stint on TV, Twitter was flush with negative comments about the state she was in. Of course, there were also those who found her erratic behavior appearance hilarious and undoubtedly the most entertaining stuff ever shown on HSN.
The majority of viewers, however, were simply shocked: shocked that HSN would allow her on live TV in this state, and shocked that she would embarrass herself in this way, when she could have easily pulled out of the appearance, even if she ran the risk of upsetting everyone.
Jessica slurred her words, giggled almost uncontrollably and swayed from side to side while standing still. She also walked off the set a few times without a word, and came back in front of the camera just as unexpectedly. While speaking of her own creations, she seemed at times unaware of what exactly she was talking about.
All this is just the kind of stuff that happens on live television, sources from HSN tell TMZ. Moreover, the video that’s making the rounds online (see below) isn’t representative of her appearance, because, for most of the time, she was “lucid and polished.”
Apparently, her “giggling and slurring is just part of her personality that surfaces from time to time,” but she was not drunk, she was being spontaneous and funny. She is far too professional to show up on TV under the influence.
Jessica Simpson is a pro, and haters gonna hate
As of the time of writing, Jessica is still to address the furor she started on social media with her apparently intoxicated appearance, but HSN has got her covered.
The network hasn’t released a public statement yet, but they’re doing major damage control with reports like the one mentioned above. As was to be expected.
According to these network insiders, Jessica is a pro, who “knows how to drive a sale” and who’s being painted in a negative light based on one short video that bears little connection to the truth. So, they are happy with her and how she acted.
Then again, even if she really was drunk, one wouldn’t expect any less from HSN than to come rushing to her defense. Her appearance was, after all, a hit with the audiences.
This HSN host should get an Emmy for this. Or a Purple Heart. #JessicaonHSN
— Tricia O'Reilly (@trishthedish36) September 18, 2015
It's funny but all of here things R selling out in spite of her being drunk. She'll wake up tomorrow hung over and richer! #JessicaOnHSN
— grantctgurl4eva (@grantctgurl4eva) September 18, 2015
One would think you would get sober as the time goes on. You seem to be getting more wasted. ??cheers. #JessicaOnHSN
— Kristina (@heartstrung) September 18, 2015
I wish I could send out one of those flash flood warnings to tell everyone to tune into HSN and watch this train wreck. #JessicaOnHSN
— Kevin (@KevyCoCo) September 18, 2015
What is wrong with Jessica Simpson on @HSN ?? she seems high or drunk. #jessicaonhsn #offtheair
— Rocio Rivera APR JM (@Rorivera27) September 18, 2015
#JessicaonHSN is she high as a kite or what?
— Debra Fitzwater (@Fed_Career_HR) September 18, 2015
She is beyond wasted right now, right? Right!!??!! #jessicaonhsn
— The Nev (@NevSays) September 18, 2015
"When you wear [jeans] they go right on your hips" - Jessica Simpson explaining how jeans work #JessicaOnHSN
— Kevin (@KevyCoCo) September 18, 2015
Really @HSN? This is embarrassing and inappropriate. Get her off the air, she's obviously under some kind of influence. #JessicaOnHSN
— Traci (@manntr07) September 18, 2015
Its like when u drive an accident u shouldn't stare but ofcourse u do. That's how I feel watching #JessicaOnHSN.I can't stop;it's so bad/sad
— Jill Marie Slucki (@Jylmarie) September 18, 2015
I've never watched @HSN before. Jessica Simpson seems wasted, so this is entertaining. #jessicaonhsn
— Erika Rains (@RainsDesign) September 18, 2015
Want an adventure: #JessicaonHSN - I'm going to say Jessica Simpson is D-RUNK. And now, wasn't watching until I was alerted to it. WOW.
— Sabina Hitchen (@SabinaKnows) September 18, 2015
Ummmm pretty sure Jessica Simpson is wasted on her debut on HSN. #JessicaOnHSN #jessicasimpsonten
— Jill Marie Slucki (@Jylmarie) September 18, 2015
Jessica is high or drunk! What is up with her stumbling and mumbling?! Embarrassing! #JessicaOnHSN #HSN
— Marisa Beckett (@marisabeckett) September 18, 2015
#JESSICAONHSN IS SHE HIGH
— nacole (@nacolejcimino) September 18, 2015
Up next on @hsn Jessica Simpson vodka? Looks like she has been sampling the merchandise.
— ray ray (@kingraybo) September 18, 2015
Jessica Simpson is beyond awkward on live tv.. She sounds drunk and clueless about her own brand ?? #HSN
— Jessica M (@Jess_martin333) September 18, 2015