Jessica Simpson Returns to VMAs After 19 Years, Presents Latin Icon Award

Jessica Simpson made a highly anticipated return to the MTV Video Music Awards in 2025, marking her first appearance in nearly two decades since 2006. She stunned fans on the red carpet wearing a sheer black dress with corset-style detailing, complemented by bold makeup and silver jewelry, which prompted widespread admiration and surprise at her transformed look. At the awards, she presented Ricky Martin with the inaugural Latin Icon Award, celebrating their shared beginnings in the late 1990s music scene. Simpson also shared that attending the VMAs without a record label and representing herself was empowering, coinciding with her recent release of a new EP, Nashville Canyon, her first in 15 years. Her appearance came amid personal challenges, including a publicized separation from her estranged husband Eric Johnson, with Simpson emphasizing that music helped her through difficult times. She was joined by her sister Ashlee Simpson on stage, and the sisters also presented an award together, highlighting both their ongoing presence in the music industry.