Jessica Simpson's ex-husband Nick Lachey confirms 6-hour airplane run-in with their families

Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey went from not speaking for two decades to being stuck in the same small space together for over six hours.

Last month, reports circulated that the exes had bumped into each other on a flight from Los Angeles to Hawai'i, and had a pleasant catching up.

The "I Wanna Love You Forever" singer and the Love is Blind host were famously married from 2002 to 2006, and fans saw their marriage deteriorate on their reality show Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica, which ran for two seasons.

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While appearing on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen this week, Nick, 52 confirmed that he had run into Jessica, 45, on the flight, and that it was the first time they saw each other in the 20 years since their divorce.

Describing the experience as "strangely okay," he said: "You know it's been 20 years … and so we haven't seen each other in those 20 years and then spent six and a half hours on a flight to Hawai'i together."

He then clarified that by "spent" he meant they were simply in the "same vicinity," though emphasized: "Everyone was very very cordial, very respectful."

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He further shared that his whole family was on the flight; Nick has been married to Vanessa Lachey (née Minnillo) since 2011, and they are parents to son Camden, 13, daughter Brooklyn, 11, and son Phoenix, nine.

Jessica meanwhile was seated next to her mother, Nick's "former mother-in-law," as host Andy Cohen noted, Tina Simpson, while Jessica's ex-husband Eric Johnson and their kids, daughter Maxwell, 13, son Ace, 12, and daughter Birdie, seven, were in a separate cabin. "It was fine," Nick maintained.

Jessica and Eric, who she married in 2011 and split from in January 2025, have yet to finalize their divorce and appear to be on amicable terms. It was reported last month that the former reality star had begun dating Nashville-based musician Thomas Eisenhood.

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Last year, after Jessica and Eric spent Thanksgiving together with their kids, the former gave insight into how co-parenting was working for them. Speaking with TMZ at the airport, she said that "of course" they would celebrate the holiday together, maintaining: "It's my kids' father."

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Noting that all their grandparents were also in attendance, she added: "They have a lot of them. Family first."

"No matter what your kid is half the other person. Always have respect for what you say around so they can always have a good perspective on it," Jessica further shared, and emphasized that "unconditional love is important."