Jessica Simpson talks about the public’s fascination with her weight: 'I’ve been criticized and it hurts'

Jessica Simpson has been in the spotlight since she was a teen, gaining recognition for her talent as a singer and actress before ever evolving into a reality TV personality and businesswoman. But what the public seems most fascinated about when it comes to Simpson's life? Her body.

"People really like to talk about me," the 42-year-old told Extra while reflecting on the attention that's been paid to her weight — whether lost or gained — throughout her career. And while she said that she hasn't gotten used to the fanfare ("I mean, would any woman?" she questioned), Simpson mentioned that the actress Lynda Carter had actually warned her of the phenomenon.

"[Carter] warned me on the set of Dukes of Hazzard. She was like, 'I will always be Wonder Woman compared to Wonder Woman and that’s what you’re doing here as Daisy Duke. And just know that even the words 'Daisy Duke' will follow you for the rest of your career,'" Simpson recalled.

Since starring in the film back in 2005, Simpson has gone through a number of life changes, including becoming a mother of three. Throughout the years and the pregnancies, people haven't been shy to talk about how her body has changed, as well.

"I’ve been criticized and it hurts but I’ve been every weight and I’ve been proud of it," she said. "I decided, OK, everybody’s gonna talk about my weight all the time, I might as well make money off of it and turn it into a business of selling clothes and acceptance."

Simpson now sells a number of fashion and lifestyle products under her namesake brand and is preparing for an even more exciting future for her business. In the meantime, she's celebrating how comfortable she currently feels in her skin.

"I went to a nutritionist and I needed to get my eating habits right," she explained. "I absolutely feel healthy. I don’t know, I just feel like my old self before I had children and all the hormones going wild. I feel younger, actually. I feel younger, I have a lot more energy."

She added, "I get to wear all the clothes that are in storage that I saved for Maxwell and Birdie, and maybe Birdie will wear them because Maxwell’s already outgrown."

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