REDBOOK MARCH 2004 [articles]

Since their October 26, 2002, Baptist wedding, set in a small Texas church, soundtrack of pop stars Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey's life has been a nonstop crescendo-with one high note after another. Nick, a former member of 98 Degrees, is now a solo vocalist. And Jessica, who wowed crowds with her lusty albums Sweet Kisses and Irresistable went from the world's most famous virgin to a so-in-love wife who makes moves on her hot guy at almost every oppurtunity. But last fall, what really put Jessica and Nick over the top was they let the world watch, in eye-opening detail, their just-married drama unfold on MTV's reality program Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica. The show was such a megahit (and source of watercooler conversation) that a second season was immediately put into production. In front of millions of viewers, Jessica, 23, and Nick, 30, argued about housekeeping and bills, went on a camping trip, and got used to each others, um, audible body functions. She may have come off as a lovable ditzy, but Jessica is one smart cookie: She's soared from teen idol to TV queen, signing a deal with ABC for her own sitcom. Both Jessica and Nick released albums last August (his is SoulO, hers is In This Skin). And Jessica's book, I Do: Achieving YourDream Wedding, is a must-have guide for brides-to-be. Nick, a hands-on hunk who moves his own furniture and doesn't let a backyard invasion of bees ruffle his Midwestern frat-boy charm, continues to spend bug bucks and effort on romancing his wife-with everything from balloon rides to bouquets. For her part, Jessica calls him baby and wraps herself in his arms. But their courtship had its rocky moments. Their most heartbreaking day came in April 2001, when Jessica broke up with Nick to focus on her career (they met when she was eighteen). During their six-month separation, which Nick has described as "torture", Jessica came to the realization that he was the perfect man for her. Then the September 11th tragedy happened, and the couple were drawn to each other again. On their wedding night, they took their vows and celebrated what matters most in life. Redbook sat down with this devoted duo to hear what makes their union tick.

What were the biggest hurdles you two faced on Newlyweds?
Jessica: It's a weird adjustment to have cameras watching you. But we don't have anything to hide. I was actually best walking into the show blindly. We didn't have expectations. We wanted people to know how normal we are-that we get frustrated dealing with newlywed things. We also felt that it was important for people to fall in love with us as a couple, because we are in love.
Nick: After a while you get used to the cameras. It's just too mentally exhausting to keep up a front. It was definitely a big thing to take on. We talked it over a lot and tried to decide whether or not we wanted to do it. But in the end we felt like it was a pretty cool oppurtunity. We're newlyweds, and since it's a crazy time anyway, just go for it and have fun.

What's the best part of being married?
Jessica: I wake up next to the person of my dreams. Marriage is my destiny. I absolutely adore Nick. There's no closer feeling than knowing you're with your soulmate. I don't ever have to worry about dating. We adore each other. And though every day together is a new adventure, the most thrilling moment was our wedding day. It was everything we could have hoped it would be.

What's the hardest part?
Jessica: It's a big lifestyle adjustment. Nick and I are opposites. I'm a baby. I've always been pampered; he's taken care of himself for so long-his parents divorced when he was in the third grade. He expects me to be domestic; I don't know how. Nick is the neat freak; I'm not. I am a great cook, though. I spend too much money, so we fight about that. As wonderful as married life is, you can't expect every minute to be a fairy tale. But you will always work things out.
Nick: Well, we never lived together, so it's an adjustment getting used to the things she does and her getting used to things that I do. She's sloppier than I would like. She leaves towels lying around and doesn't turn off lights. She'd probably say I'm a little too anal and that I need to relax. It's about finding a middle ground. And she is a really great cook.

So you have a secret talent! Does Nick like all your meals?
Jessica: He won't allow a deep fryer in our house. He doesn't want to stink it up. But fried food is my favorite!

Do you watch what you eat?
Jessica: I try to be careful. It sucks. But I'll give myself two days off a week to eat whatever I like. Other than that I try to stay healthy-work out, do Bikram yoga.

Since you two have different cleanliness thresholds, how do you deal with the housework?
Nick: We found a housekeeper, but for months we both tried to do it. I was cleaning toilets.

You now have a 6,400-square-foot mansion in the San Fernando Valley. That's alot of rooms to dust.
Nick: Yeah, we needed help.

Nick, you helped produce some of the vocals for Jessica's album In This Skin. And for Jessica's first single, "Sweetest Sin," you worked together shooting a video in which you two make out in some exotic locales. What's it like having your significant other at the office, so to speak?
Nick: It's great! The video was very sexy. I'd rather she do that video with me than somebody else-you know what I mean. Those types of scenes are awkward when you don't know the other person. With your wife, it's fun. It's good in some ways [that we work in the same industry]. We understand more what each of us is going through. But it's hard because it's hectic. We're busy and in different places. We don't see each other as much as we'd like.
Jessica: I love working with Nick. He's extremely talented and has a incredible ear. My label had me do my first single like five different times. I was getting frustrated, so I asked Nick to help me.

Do you ever feel competitive with one another?
Nick: I think a little bit sometimes. I mean, our albums [came out] at the same time and obviously it's like, "OK, who's gonna sell more albums?" But at the end of the day it all comes back to the same place and we're both on the same team. We can have a friendly competition, but know that we're cheering for each other.

Jessica, it must be thrilling to hear songs that you wrote for In This Skin played on the radio.
Jessica: It is amazing. It's great to share my thoughts with the world. And it's cool knowing that I can touch and inspire someone. Most of my music is about love-because I'm madly in love with my husband!

With such busy careers, what keeps your romance alive?
Jessica: Being busy can make a relationship more romantic. You can't wait to see one another. You anticipate it for days.
Nick: I send Jessica cards and flowers...get out a bottle of wine...create a flower-petal trail to...

What music really sets the scene for romance?
Jessica: Sade.

What do you consider to be a great date?
Jessica: We're movie junkies; we try to see everything that comes out.Friday night is date night.
Nick: We're pretty low-key. We definitely go out to clubs, but we also enjoy just being at home or going out to dinner.

You love fashion, Jessica. What's your favorite look?
Jessica: I like off-the-shoulder shirts, big hoop or chandelier earrings, really tight jeans, and a great pair of Manolo Blahniks. Or I'm totally in a cute Juicy Couture outfit. I like to be comfy but look chic.

Jessica, what do you like Nick to wear?
Jessica: T-shirts and jeans that cling to his body. But he also looks great in a suit. He's got an amazing body.

What's your biggest challenge, Jessica?
Jessica: Spending too much money! Plus, everyone thinks I'm perfect. But I have the same issues as a lot of people. I want people to be able to relate to me.

Are you ready to join the ranks of very young moms, like Reese Witherspoon and Kate Hudson?
Give me a few years on the mom thing! I do look forward to having a family with Nick, but I think I'd better start out with a dog and see how that goes first.

[back it up]