#45: Newlyweds

With the hit reality show Newlyweds, pop stars Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey turned their young marriage into a cultural phenomenon. Audiences were drawn to their playful banter, especially Simpson’s now-infamous “dumb blonde” moments that became iconic.

However, in 2020, Simpson revealed the show wasn’t as real as it seemed. She admitted much of it was scripted or exaggerated, with producers leaning into her on-screen persona for laughs. Behind the scenes, their marriage was struggling, and the pressure to maintain a cheerful facade only worsened things.