Nancy’s Notes: The Real Nick Lachey: May 12, 2006

This is the first edition of Nancy?s Notes.  I am looking forward to writing my thoughts and experiences on a regular basis to give people insight into what goes on when the cameras aren?t rolling or aren?t present.  There is so much about Hollywood that is either misunderstood or that goes without the proper attention.  Don?t get me wrong, there is a lot that is accurately portrayed in the media (whether that?s good or bad for the celebrity is up to their own actions), as we at Access Hollywood fact-check every story we do to make sure it is accurate.  However, as an entertainment reporter for 11 years, I have seen a lot happen that I wish more people knew about and I have had experiences that I have always thought would be entertaining or insightful and I am going to share some of those with you. You can take it or leave it, believe it or not, agree or disagree, laugh or cry, for better or worse…there, disclaimer made.  So to use the Access expression, “Nancy?s Notes starts RIGHT NOW”…

My first entry is on a story I recently did which, I have to say, conjured up some very personal feelings and emotions. The interview was with Nick Lachey. Unless you have been living in a cave somewhere (without cable, DirecTV, Blackberry service or wireless internet access in it), you know that Nick and Jessica Simpson have split up. Having gone through a divorce myself, I know how terribly hard it can be. Fortunately, not having mine dragged into a public forum in the way Nick and Jessica?s has, I can only imagine what it must be like to have millions of people speculating/judging what is done during the divorce process or what you do in your personal life in general throughout this most difficult time.

So, with Nick putting his new album out entitled “What?s Left of Me,” there was a clamoring by every entertainment show and journalist to get the interview with Nick and allow him to respond to all that has been happening in his life.  I was very honored when Ken Sunshine (Nick?s VERY powerful publicist) and Nick requested that I be the one to do the interview.  I knew with my having gone through a divorce myself, my relationship with both Lachey brothers (I co-hosted Miss USA with Nick?s brother Drew) and the desire to give all celebrities I interview the forum to express their thoughts in a fair and trusting environment while still asking the tough questions, the stage was set for quite an interesting interview.

On the plane, flying from L.A. to New York (where the interview was to be held), I was doing my research reading every article that has been written about Nick in recent months, thinking about my questions and listening to his new CD.  Business in prepping was as “per usual”… that is, until I listened to his CD. I was completely moved. Not only did I hear a very talented singer, but I was given such insight into what Nick has been through and what he continues to feel in this very difficult time.  The lyrics were the side of him you hadn’t read about in the tabloids. I started to tear up. Now, I realize some of the emotions I was feeling were coming from my having gone through the hell a divorce puts you through, but I was touched by the raw emotions Nick was going to allow his fans to experience with him. I was flying with my newlywed husband, Keith (my most wonderful man in the world). We make sure we travel EVERYWHERE together and he noticed I was crying.  He asked me what was wrong.  I told him how beautiful I thought the CD was, but more importantly, how I felt so sad for Nick after hearing the lyrics.  His response was probably typical to what most of the public thinks, given the photos and reports of Nick?s romances and party-going lately.  He looked at me and said, “Don?t feel bad for Nick, I?m sure he is getting more ass than a Greyhound bus seat?life looks like it’s pretty good for him.”  Now, my hubby is the sweetest, most sensitive man I?ve ever known, so this reaction from him MUST have been popular opinion.  In retrospect, looking at all the press clippings and news reports, he DOES look pretty happy with the women he?s with and his smile IS pretty wide as he is walking into the parties…

However, in the course of the interview, I came to know more about Nick and developed a sincere appreciation and profound respect for a man who, from my perspective, is a rarity these days.  See, I have always been of the opinion that the measure of a man is not in the quantity of his conquests, but the quality of his emotions.  Nick goes against what most people would say is ‘manly’. He demonstrates his belief that ‘manly’ isn?t defined by putting on a tough exterior, but more importantly by the ability to be sensitive and express emotions. To do this in such a public forum, with the knowledge that naysayers and critics would be there to pick on him or put him down, and to still be strong (yes, the TRUE strength), is admirable and made me appreciate him as a person and an artist even more. So, the critics will claim that he rode Jessica?s coattails in “Newlyweds” and that now that the divorce is happening; he is taking advantage of the situation by putting his album out.

To both of these points, I suggest that those people check their own views of what a ?supporting husband? and a ‘strong man’ should be and what they consider to be the source of every creative artist?s inspiration.  Nick was strong enough during his marriage, because of his love and adoration for his wife, to allow her and her career to blossom without fighting for the limelight on “Newlyweds” (I think they call that sacrifice and it should be admired).  With this CD, he mentioned to me that he would much rather be writing and singing songs about “having children and happy things,” but unfortunately that isn?t his life right now. And if he had written about fluffy, happy stuff, you know the critics would be all over him for that for sure! We shouldn?t BLAME him for expressing his emotions in song, we should listen to them and appreciate that he is willing to put them out there for everyone to hear. Isn’t that why the tabloids sell so many copies?

We ask and ask for celebrities to be revealing, so here it is!  Music is often nothing more than the experiences of the writer; it isn?t Nick?s fault that his ?inspiration? happens to be public fodder as well.

So, throughout the interview, and even in talking for quite awhile afterwards off-camera, you could hear the emotion and sincerity.  He didn?t “sugarcoat” it or act like divorce and heartbreak are no big deal.  He admitted to the pain, he admitted to feeling hurt, he admitted to not being in his life where he thought he would be at 32, he admitted hatred, disappointment and regret.  Yet, through it all he never spoke negatively about Jessica, he never tried to put her down or make the case that he is right or try any “one-upsmanship”. He maintained that divorce is hard, but that loving and losing is harder.  However, he still hasn?t lost faith in relationships or marriage and that he will love again…even saying but “I am a fool sometimes”.  This is honesty and courage.  My husband, Keith, left with such a respect for Nick and admitted to having a 180-degree change of heart with his perspective on him.

As I mentioned, I had the opportunity to co-host the Miss USA pageant with Drew Lachey, Nick?s brother, and my experience with him was that he was a true professional, extremely talented and a well-rounded and grounded individual as well.  So, to Mom and Dad Lachey, my kudos to raising two very successful men.  And, yes I use ?MEN? in its most respectable sense, however I am referring to ?successful? in the sense that they are both quality individuals (winning ?Dancing With the Stars?, and putting out a heartfelt CD such as ?What?s Left of Me” are just bonuses).

Nick, thanks for the interview, stay strong and don?t change…

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