After more than a year of break-up rumors, "Newlyweds" JESSICA SIMPSON and NICK LACHEY have officially decided to call it quits, ET has confirmed.
"After three years of marriage, and careful thought and consideration, we have decided to part ways," the couple said in a statement Wednesday. "This is the mutual decision of two people with an enormous amount of respect and admiration for each other. We hope that you respect our privacy during this difficult time."
Back in October, rumors of a split started to swirl when Jessica arrived solo (and without her wedding ring) to her sister ASHLEE's 21st birthday in Las Vegas and Nick, who was scheduled to be there, was a no-show. Nick and Jessica were also reportedly apart for two more special dates: their 3rd wedding anniversary on October 26 and Nick's 32nd birthday on November 9.
It was just this fall, while talking about her new body care collection "Sweet Kisses," Jessica spoke with ET, offering marriage advice. "I think you have to always remember, and he has to remember, that you do need a compromise, even though it's hard," she said.
She admitted though, that sometimes strong personalities can get in the way of marital negotiations. "There's people with pride involved," she says. "You have to back down sometime -- just a little bit."
The couple married in Austin, TX, in front of 350 guests in an hour-long Baptist ceremony. Jessica wore a strapless VERA WANG gown and Nick sang "My Everything," a song he wrote just for his bride.
