We’re Not Worried About THE REALITY TV CURSE

46 IN TOUCH SEPTEMBER 17, 2018 Their E! docuseries puts their marriage under a microscope — but the singers say their bond can’t be broken

Everyone knows the drill: A so-in-love couple lands a reality show and before we know it, cute on-screen tiffs lead to real-life drama and, eventually, a split. But Ashlee Simpson, 33, and her actor-singer husband, Evan Ross, stars of the new E! docuseries, Ashlee+evan, insist it won’t happen to them. “We didn’t just jump into doing a show,” says Evan, 30. “This is something we came up with and produced ourselves. There’s nothing fake about the show, but we also have some control over things.” Here, the pair — who married in 2014 and are parents to Jagger, 3, and Bronx, Ashlee’s 9-year-old son with ex-husband Pete Wentz — talk to In Touch’s Diana Cooper about making time for romance, their new duets album (their single “I Do” comes out Sept. 7) and the one thing that was off-limits during filming.

Why did you decide to do a reality show together? AS: A part of me wanted to open up so people can see where I am at this point in my life. ER: Right, and we were working on our music in the studio and called some friends who know videographers to record us. We just realized it was fun and made the whole process more interesting. Anything you didn’t want to show? AS: We approached it very openly…. ER: Well, the cameras couldn’t come to the bathroom with us! [ Laughs]

How are your kids doing? ER: They’re getting older, so it’s a really special time. Jagger can say almost everything and Bronx has all these amazing ideas. They’re very inspiring!

Do you want to add to the family? AS: Definitely! I would love to. ER: That would be amazing.

Tell us about your duets album. AS: We’re always singing together, and this is something we’ve always wanted to do. The album is our love and is a mix of different sounds.

Ashlee, you starred in a reality show in the early 2000s. How have you changed since then? AS: I’m a mother now, and I’ve found the love of my life and figured out who I am as a woman.

You’ve got your music, the show and two young kids at home. How do you find time for romance? ER: We make time for each other. We’ll do a movie night or something. We don’t have any problem keeping the spark alive! ◼