Jessica Simpson’s Emotional Return to the Stage Reveals Deep Struggles Amid Split From Eric Johnson

Jessica Simpson was hoping to relaunch her long-abandoned music career amid the fallout of her split from husband Eric Johnson, but sources tell GLOBE she’s now completely despairing after she bungled her big comeback.

The singer, 44, appeared on the season finale of American Idol — her first live TV appearance in 15 years — but it was anything but a triumphant return.

“It didn’t go as planned, not even close,” says a source. “She was visibly shaking and trying so hard not to stammer. It was extremely awkward watching her trip up in front of more than 6 million viewers.”

Even Jessica admitted that the performance made her look like a sweaty, nervous wreck.

“Oh, my God, I was dying,” she said afterward. “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.’”

“I just kept telling myself, ‘Do not cry. Do not cry. I know this is a big moment … do not cry.’”

A source says, “She has lost confidence in her ability to perform. It’s been too long since she was an active singer, and the fear is she’ll never make it back to where she was.”

Insiders tell GLOBE that Jessica’s separation from Eric, her retired NFL player husband, is largely to blame.

The singer-fashion entrepreneur announced the end of their 10-year marriage in January. As readers know, Jessica and Eric, 45, had already been living apart for months amid rumors that the hockey player had cheated on her.

The ex-couple is now maintaining separate residences as they navigate coparenting their three children, Maxwell, 13, Ace, 11, and Birdie, 6.

They have yet to file for divorce, but our source insists, “there’s no going back for Jessica.”

“She doesn’t want to be married to Eric, but she’s still floundering without his guidance and support. She depended on him as her crutch,” our source says.

“Now she’s leaning on her friends and family and driving them crazy with her nerves and constant second-guessing of herself. People around her are saying she’s a wreck and she needs to get a grip before she totally loses it.”