Nick Gets Candid

Access has the latest on the Lachey’s — Nick and Drew!

While Drew co-hosts the Miss USA pageant with Access’ very own Nancy O’Dell, big brother Nick finally goes on the record about ex-Jessica Simpson!

“If I had never done the show and was still married, that would have been a worthwhile sacrifice,” Nick explained.

It was the star-making show that turned Nick and Jessica into America’s fave newly-marrieds.

But did their success tear their marriage apart?

“What matters to me is having a family and being a good person, and I don’t think, that in a lot of ways, ‘Newlyweds’ aided that,” Nick said.

Nick said his divorce from Jessica is a “nasty situation,” but he’s not trying to hurt her with his revelations about their split — and, he still loves her.

His new solo album, “What’s Left of Me,” is set for release May 9. On it, Nick sings openly about divorce-driven heartbreak and angst on the title track and in songs such as “I Can’t Hate You Anymore.”

“It’s a nasty situation,” Lachey reveals in his MTV special, “Nick Lachey: What’s Left of Me.”

“It’s not fun. … So, it’s not in any way vindictive or an assault on her. In a lot of ways, it’s more of an assault on me.”

If Jessica feels attacked, Nick said he doesn’t mean any harm: “Jessica knows I still love her.”

But the show may not have been the problem. The tabloids relentless reports probably didn’t help. On the MTV special, Nick responds to its effects on his marriage.

“You don’t believe this filth do you?” asked Nick, of a girl who asked him to sign a tabloid.

“No, it’s just a good picture,” the girl said.

“As much as you want to say, we’re not going to pay attention to tabloids, you pay attention, it’s human nature,” Nick said. “And you read it, and it affects the way you relate to each other and the way you relate to yourself.”

Jessica filed for divorce in December, after three years of marriage.

As a result of the breakup, Nick said he’s “more guarded. I can’t be as open with people because I’ve been burned.”

He says his “biggest fear is being alone” and feeling like he’ll “never find that person that you’re looking for, especially when you thought you had it.”

But can Nick move on with someone else?

“Do I believe that I’ll fall in love again someday? Nick said. “I certainly hope so. I certainly hope I’m not going to be the jerk uncle bachelor for the rest of my life! You know, it’s not what I envisioned for myself, but at the same time, when I got married, that was it for me, you know, that was my life.”

Nick is uncle to Drew’s daughter, Isabella.

“Is (Nick) going to come out to the pageant and support you here?” Nancy asked.

“He can’t,” Drew said. “He is actually shooting a TV show and releasing his record on May 9, so, he is plenty busy, but he texts me all the time and lets me know that he is rooting for me!”