Jessica Simpson used a few not-so-common tricks to help combat her nerves for her first television performance in 15 years. 

Speaking to Extra after the American Idol season finale on Sunday, May 18, the 44-year-old singer admitted to using hairspray to keep her rooted.

“Oh, my God, I was dying. I can’t even tell you how long it’s been since I’ve been that nervous. Like, I had to put hairspray on my feet to stand still, like, not that it actually keeps me put, but, like, my feet were sweating. I’m like, my feet don’t sweat,” she told the outlet.

Simpson continued, “I just kept telling myself, ‘Do not cry. Do not cry. I know this is a big moment … do not cry.’ And then I see my dad, like, up in the corner, and I’m like, ‘Ah, I’m going to cry. I’m going to cry. Do not cry. Just sing your songs. Just sing your songs.’ ”

The “Sweetest Sin” singer admitted her more than a decade absence has been “a really long time.”

For her return, she was joined by former contestant Josh King. The two did a duet of her 2005 song, “These Boots Are Made for Walkin,’ ” which she recorded for the Dukes of Hazzard soundtrack.

“The last time was a Christmas song, so that’s easy,” she said of her prior performance years ago. 

Now, the star has a new EP, Nashville Canyon, Pt. 1, with part two set to arrive this summer.

“It is so much a part of my soul, and so to sing a song off of that I felt naked, to be honest, like, it was very bare and raw and very vulnerable,” Simpson said of the new music.

As for how her little ones feel, Simpson said she can’t wait to hear their reaction.

“I haven’t gotten to talk to them yet, but I’m so excited to talk to them because they’ve never seen me sing live like that,” the proud mother said during her interview with Extra.

Simpson and her estranged husband Eric Johnson are mom and dad to three kids: Maxwell “Maxi” Drew, 13, Ace Knute, 11, and Birdie Mae, 6. 

The former couple were married for 10 years before announcing their split on Jan. 13.

In addition to getting back onstage, the Employee of the Month actress added that she’s also back in front of the camera.

“I did an episode of ‘All’s Fair,’ and what a show! I mean, great cast. It is so fun,” she said. “I didn’t want it to end, like, I was so grateful that Ryan Murphy thought of me.”

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Telling the story of female divorce attorneys who start their own firm, the upcoming series stars Glenn Close, Teyana Taylor, Kim Kardashian, Niecy Nash-Betts, Naomi Watts and Sarah Paulson.

“His people called my people,” Simpson said of the series creator contacting her. She also added that she and the Skims mogul, 44, are friends, adding, “I don’t know if it was her idea at all, but definitely, I was glad she was on set and we had scenes together.”

She described her role on the show as “very crazy.”

While speaking of her new endeavors, she added, “This is like Jessica Simpson 4.0.”

“Cheers” star George Wendt has died. He was 76.

The actor, who portrayed Norm Peterson in the sitcom, “died peacefully in his sleep while at home” on Tuesday, his rep told The Post.

“George was a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him,” a family spokesperson said in a statement.

“He will be missed forever. The family has requested privacy during this time,” the rep continued.

A cause of death has not been revealed.

Wendt worked on all 11 seasons of “Cheers” from 1982 to 1993.

The “Fletch” star worked alongside Rhea Perlman, 77, Ted Danson, 77, John Ratzenberger, 78, Woody Harrelson, 63, Kelsey Grammer, 70, and the late Kirstie Alley.

His character was best known for his “Afternoon, everybody” catchphrase.

Wendt’s work on “Cheers” earned him six Emmy nominations for best supporting actor in a comedy series.

He was also known for his roles in the 1985 movie “House” and the 1992 film “Forever Young.”

This story is developing…

Hailey Bieber called out the haters who constantly speculate about her and Justin Bieber’s marriage woes.

“Well, I thought seven years in it would’ve [died down] already, and it hasn’t,” she said of the incessant breakup rumors plaguing them since their 2018 wedding in a Vogue interview published Tuesday.

“You would think after having a child, people would maybe move on, chill out a little bit, but no,” she added. “So I guess these bitches are going to be mad.”

The Rhode Skin founder admitted that she has become much more confrontational after becoming a mom.

“I was so not confrontational before. It was not easy for me to express things that bothered me or when people were pushing or stepping over boundaries,” she said. “And now I just feel so much more clear about, ‘Hey, this does not work for me.’”

Her close pal Kendall Jenner confirmed that Hailey faces her critics head-on these days.

“I see that in her every day,” Jenner told the outlet, gushing, “It’s been beautiful to watch.”

Despite being able to call out those overstepping her boundaries, the 28-year-old model has let herself be more vulnerable.

“I cry a lot more than I did before,” she said. “To feel what I’m feeling and be not okay, and be able to just really express that and feel safe with my friends to just be like, ‘I’m losing it today.’”

Hailey and Justin, 31, became first-time parents when she gave birth to their son, Jack Blues, in August 2024.

Despite renewing their vows upon announcing her pregnancy last May, the internet has consistently been ablaze with unfounded speculation that Hailey and the pop star are heading for divorce.

In March, fans were convinced that they were calling it quits when Hailey appeared to unfollow Justin on Instagram.

However, Hailey later confirmed that the unfollow was due to a glitch that occurred after Justin deactivated and reactivated his account.

A month prior, a source told us that Hailey was worried about her husband after he displayed strange behavior at her skincare event.

“Justin is going through a hard time and Hailey is doing her best to be there for him, but there’s only so much she can do,” the source said at the time.

“Hailey loves Justin with all her heart, but that doesn’t necessarily mean she’s happy.”

Hailey, for her part, has shut down rumors that she and Justin’s marriage is on the rocks on numerous occasions, with a Page Six source sharing in January that they are “doing amazing and loving this new chapter as parents.”

We were also told that the couple believes the split rumors “are ridiculous.”

“They ignore the headlines and rumors about their relationship as much as they can and instead focus on what’s the most important to them — their family, their careers, their friends and God,” the source said.