Josh King Joins Jessica Simpson For Triumphant ‘American Idol’ Finale Performance

In 1999, Jessica Simpson joined the lineup of late-20th century pop princesses with her debut single, “I Wanna Love You Forever.” Three years later, American Idol arrived on scene, kickstarting the illustrious career of a then-unknown artist named Kelly Clarkson. More than two decades later, American Idol is in its 23rd season and Jessica Simpson is releasing new music. Tonight, Idol viewers time traveled back to the early aughts as the “With You” singer took the stage.

Jessica Simpson Performs Music From Her Latest Album

If I had to name two things that reminded me of the year 2003, I’d say American Idol and Jessica Simpson. So I, and likely many others watching, got a healthy dose of nostalgia watching two of the earliest examples of 21st-century pop culture collide during Sunday’s (May 18) season 23 finale.

Now 44, Simpson performed “Blame Me” from her latest EP, Nashville Canyon, which dropped in March. The native Texan was part of a star-studded lineup including Brandon Lake, Goo Goo Dolls, Good Charlotte, Jennifer Holliday, Josh Groban, Kirk Franklin, Myles Smith, Patti LaBelle, and Salt-N-Pepa.

Jessica Simpson 🙌🏾🙌🏾 she absolutely killed it!! 🔥🔥🔥 #AmericanIdol

— JAY🐘 (@jayraynoldo) May 19, 2025

Once that was done, she welcomed eliminated contestant Josh King for a rousing duet of the 1966 Nancy Sinatra hit “These Boots Are Made For Walkin’.” The pop star reached the Top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100 with her 2005 cover, recorded for the Dukes of Hazzard movie.

Did not have Jessica Simpson on my #AmericanIdol finale Bingo Card – much less partnered with Josh King. Nor Josh in a cowboy hat. But it absolutely worked.

— Brian Werkman (@bwerkman) May 19, 2025

Tonight, viewers will finally learn the name of Idol’s season 23 winner. John Foster, Breanna Nix, and Jamal Roberts—all of whom notably, like Simpson, all hail from the South—are battling it out for the cash prize and contract with Hollywood Records.

[RELATED: How Much Money Does the ‘American Idol’ Winner Receive? Cash Prize and Record Deal Info]

Simpson Is “Coming Back Home to the Best Part Of” Herself

Two months before her American Idol performance, Jessica Simpson returned to the stage for the first time in 15 years. The “These Boots Are Made For Walkin’” singer called her performance at SXSW Austin “an emotional coming back home to the best part of myself.”

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Simpson’s latest album, Nashville Canyon Part 1, is her first non-holiday project since 2008’s Do You Know. The rockabilly-influenced record reflects how her career priorities have shifted. It’s no longer about chasing the next chart-tipping hit.

“It was just about having a vibe,” she told The Cut in a February cover story. “There’s really not a lot of that in L.A. right now. It’s formulaic. I wanted to break that mold for myself personally. I don’t care if anything’s a hit.”

She added, “I appreciate that you realize how deeply rooted, in unexpected ways, this project is for me to set myself apart from old versions of myself.”

Featured image by Gary Miller/Getty Images for Shock Ink