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Jessica Simpson reveals struggle with addiction after being sexually abused aged six

Jessica Simpson is sharing long-held secrets in her upcoming memoir, Open Book.

People magazine had the first look at the book, which is chock-full of revelations, including that the singer and actress turned fashion mogul was sexually abused as a child.

It also revealed her quiet struggle with addiction — and how she got sober in 2017.

Jessica Simpson attends the Beautycon Festival LA 2018 at the Los Angeles Convention Center on July 14, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.
Jessica Simpson has opened up about her struggle with addiction and that she was sexually abused as a child. Photo: Getty Images

The sexual abuse started when she was 6, when the Simpsons would visit the home of family friends and Jessica would share a bed with their daughter.

“It would start with tickling my back and then go into things that were extremely uncomfortable,” the 39-year-old recalled.

Simpson kept silent about the abuse — and blamed herself, explaining, “I wanted to tell my parents. I was the victim but somehow I felt in the wrong.”

When she was 12 she finally shared her secret with her parents, Tina and Joe Simpson, while on a family road trip.

She said her mother reacted by yelling at her dad and slapping him, saying: “‘I told you something was happening.’”

Ace Knute Johnson, Eric Johnson,Jessica Simpson wearing Jessica Simpson Collection and Maxwell Drew Johnson
The singer is pictured with her husband, Eric Johnson, son Ace Knute Johnson and her daughter, Maxwell Drew Johnson. Photo: Getty Images

Simpson’s dad, a Baptist minister, who later went on to manage her career, didn’t take his eyes off the road “and said nothing,” she wrote.

Jessica said she never stayed at her parent’s friends house again after that but also her family never spoke about it.

The star said that the pain from the sexual abuse — coupled with stress of her career and anxiety — led to her self-medicating with alcohol and pills during her time in the spotlight.

She got help for her addiction in late 2017 and has been sober since.

“I was killing myself with all the drinking and pills,” wrote Simpson, who was told by her doctor that her dependency was putting her life in danger.

She said her rock bottom was at the annual Halloween party she and husband Eric Johnson hosted in 2017.

Whatever happened that night led to her telling her closest friends that she needed to quit.

She said her friends responded by embracing her in a group hug — and supporting her as she got sober.

Getting control of her addiction involved a team of doctors, therapy twice a week and the support of her family, she revealed.

Simpson — who welcomed her third child, 10-month-old Birdie, after getting sober — calls her new life “a continual gift.”

Open Book goes on sale Feb. 4 and will also detail her rise to stardom and her relationships, including with first husband Nick Lachey.

She also recorded the audiobook, which will include new songs she says are inspired by her memoir.

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