NEED TO KNOW
- Jessica Simpson debuted a brand-new hairstyle during a special appearance on the season 23 finale of American Idol on May 18
- The singer turned to her longtime pro Rita Hazan for the fresh dirty blonde hue
- Hazan tells PEOPLE it took “two hours” to do and looks “more natural”
Jessica Simpson is shaking up her look!
The pop star, 43, rocked freshly dyed dirty blonde tresses with sunkissed highlights for a special appearance on the season 23 finale of American Idol on Sunday, May 18.
Simpson turned to her longtime pro and friend Rita Hazan, a celebrity hair colorist and salon owner, for the color switchup, which Hazan calls “more natural,” comparing it to “a kid on the beach.”
Describing the hair color itself as “desert sunset blonde,” Hazan says it took “two hours” to complete.
“The must-have in my kit that I use on all my clients is Glaze’s Supergloss. For Jessica, we used the shade Vanilla Lights — her perfect match to tone down brassiness in her highlights,” she explains. “It delivers a rich, shiny payoff, and a silky, polished finish that leaves hair looking refreshed and healthier after just one use.”
According to Hazan, Simpson “loved” her new hair color. “She was so happy to get a new look and switch it up,” the stylist says. “She always had a super buttery blonde — this time we wanted something new and youthful.”
Hazan adds that the updated hairdo is perfect for the “With You” singer, who is adjusting to her new normal following her split from Eric Johnson earlier this year. (Simpson and the former NFL player, 45, share three children: daughters Maxwell “Maxi” Drew and Birdie Mae, plus son Ace Knute.)
“I think it’s a fresh and young vibe, but with confidence and a slight attitude to represent her mood,” Hazan tells PEOPLE, adding: “We have been in each other’s lives for so many years that there’s personal and professional trust.”
“Usually I fly in from New York, and we have a hair party in her bathroom with a few of the same people every six weeks,” she continues. “First, we catch up on life for a quick second, and then continue to laugh and tell very personal stories about what we all got into for the month. It’s actually hysterical. I don’t think there was one time I went there and didn’t laugh hysterically.”
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Last month, Simpson — who recently released her EP Nashville Canyon — opened up about her latest Walmart for Jessica Simpson Collection that showcases her country roots in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE.
“For me, personally, style evolves as I do on a personal level, through each stage of my life,” the designer said. “That’s the inspiration for my music right now … Nashville Canyon is an evolution of past, present, future, versatility, femininity, openness and confidence.”
Simpson added at the time that she has “no rules” when it comes to her fashion inspiration.
“Anything from a vintage printed wallpaper in a movie I am watching or a performance piece displayed in an old documentary,” she said. “Everyone who knows me knows I am observant. I never miss a detail. Inspiration comes at me in visceral ways, every single day. And I honestly don’t know what I would do without Pinterest.”
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The musician has been adventurous with her looks in recent months. In March, Simpson shared videos on TikTok and Instagram of her rocking a cool airport look in Austin, Texas, where she traveled to perform for the first time in 15 years at the Recording Academy’s Austin Chapter Block Party during the South by Southwest festival.
In the video, the fashion designer could be seen in a luxurious Maison Common faux shearling coat that retailed for $2,350, before selling out, over what appeared to be a leopard-print jumpsuit and tall latex boots with heels. She also rocked oversized aviator sunglasses and a large cross necklace.
Also that month, Simpson stepped out for a surprise performance at the annual Luck Reunion festival in Texas, rocking an animal-inspired ensemble.
During the gig, which took place at Willie Nelson’s Luck Ranch in Spicewood, Simpson wore a leopard-print dress topped with piles of turquoise jewelry, as well as a cropped crochet lace bolero to top it all off.
Simpson’s many accessories included a massive silver belt decked out in turquoise stones, which matched her similarly styled earrings and necklace. She also wasn’t shy when it came to her silver jewelry on her wrists and fingers during the gig, with her showing off some bedazzled action on her nails too.
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Simpson’s appearance on American Idol is just the latest in a string of music moments for the superstar, who has been making the rounds since she debuted her pop-country rock single “Use My Heart Against Me” in February, marking her first original song release in years.
“It was a sexy song to write,” Simpson told PEOPLE exclusively of the track, which appears on Nashville Canyon, earlier this year.
“I woke up with that lyric in my head,” she explained. “It’s kind of craving someone that you want again and you don’t care if your heart is used against you – if it’s just for one night. Like, give it over, just for the experience again.”
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