The singer/actress and TV host talked to USA Today about her love life, self-esteem and the endless scrutiny surrounding her weight.
“Many times I wanted to surrender and give up,” she said.
“But I have a calling in my life. And if I have to go through that scrutiny, I will.
“I went through a really hard time a couple years back with people just harping on the pressure of how to look perfect, obviously using me and my weight. It was a tabloid frenzy.
“I feel like people are constantly curious as to how much I weigh or what I look like or what I wear…There’s no way you’re not going to be affected by the ugly things people say about you. It’s very hurtful. It definitely brings up a lot of your own insecurities. It takes a great family and wonderful friends—and love definitely helps, too—to get through it.”
Simpson — who started dating NFL football player Eric Johnson in June — recently admitted she’s an emotional eater.
“When I’m sad, I want to eat, but when I’m happy, I don’t really think about it,” she said.
“When I’m hungry I’ll eat. When I’m not hungry, I won’t.
“I’m not that much of a calorie counter, but I do think about it. I’m from Texas, so I love everything fried. I’ll give myself a cheat day every week.
“I believe it’s important to not say, ‘I can’t have this’. I think there’s ways to do things in moderation … you definitely have to eat things you love.”