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Anatomy of a Propaganda Campaign
Jessica Simpson is the latest celeb gearing up to return to dating. The “Irresistible” singer reportedly “soft launch[ed]” a budding romance with actor Jeremy Renner by way of some flirty Instagram comments.
Jessica Simpson and Jeremy Renner’s Instagram exchanges, recapped
First, a quick rundown of Simpson and Renner’s Instagram exchanges. It all started when The Jessica Simpson Collection founder liked and commented on not one but two of The Hurt Locker alum’s workout videos.
The 54-year-old actor shared a video of himself exercising to Instagram. He wrote in the caption about finding “inspiration everywhere, especially when I need it most.” Simpson liked Renner’s post and commented with a fire emoji.
On March 24, 2025, Renner posted another workout video, this time featuring his mother. Once again, Simpson liked the post and commented. Except this clip didn’t just elicit a response in the form of an emoji. She wrote: “I love this oh my…Mama is STRONG…I need to go do sit ups now.”
As for Renner, who is still recovering from being run over by a snowplow in 2023, he liked Simpson’s fire emoji comment. He also congratulated Simpson on her new EP, “Nashville Canyon, Part I,” writing, “Congrats Jess !!!” in the comments alongside clapping and fire emojis. Additionally, he liked a post about her song, “Blame.”
According to an insider, Simpson’s comments on Renner’s Instagram posts go beyond flirting. They’re actually her way of “soft launch[ing]” their relationship.
“There has always been a very strong connection between the two of them,” the source told Radar Online of Simpson and Renner. (The Newlyweds alum and Marvel star are rumored to have had a flirtation back in 2010.) “And now Jessica is single, she is free to date anyone she wishes.”
“She and Jeremy have met up a few times and are taking things slowly,” they went on, saying, “The social media interaction is her way of giving the relationship a soft launch.”
All of this comes after the rumored pair were said to be “really flirting up a storm” at a cocktail party in Los Angeles, Calif., to celebrate The Hurt Locker. It’s also where they reportedly exchanged numbers.
Her divorce from Eric Johnson isn’t official yet
While Simpson has commented on Renner’s Instagram, she isn’t officially divorced. At least not yet, since she only announced her split from Johnson in January 2025. Meaning their divorce proceedings are currently underway.
Simpson told TMZ at the time that she and Johnson had been “living separately navigating a painful situation” in their marriage. Simpson also noted their three children—Maxwell, Ace, and Birdie—“come first.” To that end, she told the outlet they were “focusing on what is best for them” amid the split.
Since then, there have been reports of “trust issues” in their marriage. Simpson has also used the breakdown of her marriage as apparent inspiration for her new music. Johnson, for his part, is said to be “convinced” her new break-up track, “Leave,” is about him, and is “ready to fight back.”
