Jessica Simpson, 45, returned to the MTV VMAs for the 2025 show after a 19-year hiatus - but some fans could barely recognize her.

The singer, who was honored to present the Latin Icon Award to Ricky Martin, debuted overly injected lips, leaving critics to mock her appearance online, asking, "What happened?"

'It Doesn't Even Look Like Her'

Source: megaFans were shocked to see Jessica Simpson's botched lip injections.

One viewer, among others, took to X to blast the entertainer, saying, "I'm watching the VMAs and who are these people??? I didn't even recognize Simpson because of all the botox.""Wtf did #JessicaSimpson do to her face. It doesn't even look like her. She was so beautiful," wrote another."I refuse to believe that's Jessica Simpson," said a third person.

'It's Crazy to Be Here'

Source: MTV/CBSThe singer's last VMAs appearance was in 2006.

Nonetheless, Simpson expressed how excited she was to make her long-awaited return to the iconic award show, telling a reporter on the red carpet, "It's crazy to be here and to not have a record label and to be here representing myself for myself, like, it's really empowering. I'm happy."She went on to explain that creating songs for her EP "Nashville Canyon, Pt. 2," released on Friday, September 5, was a therapeutic experience, much different from her earlier days as a "show pony" songstress. "It is heartfelt; I just surrendered everything while writing it," she shared.

Simpson said her newest music was a way for her to really "communicate" what she was feeling and thinking, adding, "This one is really more about communicating and hopefully being the voice that people need to hear."

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Jessica Simpson Says She's on a 'Performance High' From Concert 2 Days Before VMAs

Source: MTV/CBSThe singer said she is still on a 'performance high' from being on stage two days before the VMAs.

The mom-of-three also raved about her latest performance two days before the MTV VMAs, saying she was still on a "performance high" after singing notes she didn't realize she could still hit."I didn't know if people would clap for me," the bubbly blonde joked. "It's weird; it's like, you just don't know what to expect, but I haven't slept since... I cannot wait to get back on stage again! It was amazing. It gives me chills. It was a beautiful moment."Jessica Simpson Credits Mariah Carey for Reason Why She Sings

Source: megaJessica Simpson said Mariah Carey is the reason she got into singing.

When asked what she thought about Mariah Carey being honored with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, Simpson had nothing but nice things to say about the fellow artist."Mariah's music is one of the reasons why I sing," Simpson shared. "Probably growing up, my absolute favorite. I know all of Mariah's songs, and she doesn't disappoint in person, either. She was super kind to me when I met her. So she deserves everything. Nobody can write like her either; she's a great songwriter."