Jessica Simpson Parents Divorcing; Rep Slams 'False' Gay Rumors
Jessica Simpson's parents, Tina and Joe, recently confirmed that they are divorcing after 34year of marriage and a family rep has denied reports that appear to question Joe's sexuality.
On Wednesday The National Enquirer ran a story claiming that Joe, 54, revealed that he is a homosexual, claiming that prompted Tina's recent divorce filing. A Simpson family rep immediately dismissed the report as "false."
"It is an amicable split and there is no third party involved. Any other related allegations are completely false. The family appreciates your respect for their privacy at this time," a Simpson family representative told People.com.
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Tina, 52, filed divorce papers during the month of September citing a "conflict of personalities" as the reason for the split, according to reports. The pair is likely to enter into bitter property negotiations as Joe recently filed a response to Tina's request that allegedly seeks protection of one of her separate properties. He is insisting that she receive nothing in the settlement.
The estranged couple, who share two daughters Ashlee, 28, and Jessica, 32, became well known for their wholesome family image portrayed on Jessica's 2003 reality TV show "Newlyweds." However, they have not been seen together publicly for several months.
On Aug. 4, Joe was arrested for DUI in Los Angeles after allegedly driving under the influence and weeks later he was formally charged, with TMZ reporting that the father of two is facing up to six months behind bars if he is convicted. Some media outlets have speculated that his legal woes may have added strain to his 34-year marriage.
Joe, who once worked as a pastor at Heights Baptist Church in Texas, has previously faced criticism for his management style over his two daughters, Jessica and Ashlee. After leaving his position at the church to pursue showbiz careers for his daughters and later making public statements regarding Jessica's breast size, critics began accusing him of turning her into a sex symbol.
"I was accused, [because of] my background in the ministry, you know 'your daughter doesn't love God anymore', 'you've forsaken the church' and I'm like, you don't even know me or know my family," Simpson told ABC's "20/20" in a 2004 interview.
The divorce is currently pending in a Texas court and could take up to several months to be finalized.
