Simpson And Lachey Hide Separation For Business

[mia981]

Nick and Jessica are much more viable as a couple than they are as two individuals," a friend of the two tells Star.

"Their appeal is as a cutesy, cuddly duo. If they split, they will lose the fan base of those who fell in love with them as a happy, and oh-so-in-love newlywed couple."

While that may or may not be true, Joe Simpson, Jessica's father/ manager, isn't about to let Jessica's personal life get in the way of her career, another source says.

"Joe controls everything in that marriage, from where they perform together, to whether they appear publicly, or not."

In fact, this source is even suspicious of the timing of the London trip. "This trip has Joe written all over it," the source says flatly. "I think Nick and Jessica will publicly separate when it is in her best interest. And Joe wants his daughter's career to last for years, like Cher or Barbra Streisand."

The same source points out how it benefits Nick to remain married. "As of now," the source says, "people are still taking his phone calls. But how will it be without Jessica on his arm?"

[LynnieD]

Oh for gods sake, does anyone think they are together??? Please..

[stargazer]

It's true--they skyrocketed to so-called A-list status as a couple. As individuals they were both C-list. Not surprising that they're trying to keep up with the charade.

[bsbfan23]

I dont believe anything magazines say these days.I mean how many times are they going to say they broke up and in real life they havent.Move on people ( US WEEKLY especially).

[miss_perfect]

"Their appeal is as a cutesy, cuddly duo. If they split, they will lose the fan base of those who fell in love with them as a happy, and oh-so-in-love newlywed couple."

Let me be the lone person here to say that these two never appealed to me! The whole show was just a vehicle for her comeback after being a one hit wonder in 1999. He just seems embarassed by it all.

[Mr. Authority]

From a business standpoint, they are kinda smart. They were both has-beens before thier MTV show came on. After the Newlyweds, Jessica got a new platinum album, a movie deal, and a perfume line, as well as her no-talent sister getting her own crap career as well.

Nick however got a bombed album, forced to star with Jessica in dumb holiday specials, and got no where in terms of his career. I think Nick wants to end the relationship more than Jess does cuz he does'nt want to rely on Jess or her dad anymore, even though he has a small chance of making his own comeback.

[Palermo]

I saw that Newlywed show a few times, and found it revolting. She could not have sounded any dumber if she tried and he seems so vain.

[stargazer]

^ Don't tell Jess' mom that. Jess is a GENIUS, remember??

[southernbelle]

I think that Papa Simpson purposefully ran Nick's career into the ground to ensure that Jessica would be the "star" of the marriage.

[suede]

I didn't even know either of them existed before Newlyweds or what they did prior.

[luvmy2cats]

Well Nick seems to be doing pretty well with his career. Granted he's no A-lister, but he is doing the sports thing, and has been in a few shows. I think he probably will have more staying power than Jessica because all we see from her is boozing it up and acting trashy.

I'm just wondering how much $$$ is Jess and her dad paying Nick to not leave her butt and tell everyone that it really IS over.

[Elisa]

There is just something very creepy all the way around about that father! He seems obsessed with his daughter - and not a "healthy" obsessed I might add. It sickens me to think that he would put his daughter's "career" and his own greed from the benefits of said "career" ahead of a happy, normal and long-lasting marriage for her.

He would be your father-in-law from hell. And the mother is not much better. She's an enabler. I mean - who would really want their inlaws involved in every aspect of their life? Are we really surprised this marriage didn't last?