Lucas Delgado
In 2003, actress, singer, and fashion designer Jessica Simpson confused tuna and chicken while eating a bowl of Chicken of the Sea tuna on her reality show Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica. Simpson's then-husband Nick Lachey corrected her, explaining that Chicken of the Sea was the brand. Simpson's confusion between chicken and tuna has since become an iconic pop culture moment, with Simpson poking fun at herself by posting memes on social media and starring in a 2024 Chicken of the Sea ad campaign that referenced the incident.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Jessica Simpson |
| Profession | Actress, singer, fashion designer, business mogul |
| Year of the incident | 2003 |
| Incident | Confused tuna with chicken while eating Chicken of the Sea |
| Show | Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica |
| Partner at the time | Nick Lachey |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Jessica Simpson's Chicken of the Sea gaffe
Jessica Simpson, the American singer, actress, and fashion designer, famously confused chicken and tuna during the 2003 premiere of her reality show Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica. The show chronicled her life with her then-husband Nick Lachey. In the episode, Simpson is seen eating a bowl of Chicken of the Sea and questioning whether it is chicken or fish. "Is this chicken that I have, or is this fish? I know it's tuna, but it says chicken by the sea," she says. "Is that stupid? What is it called — chicken by the sea or in the sea?"
Lachey looked at Simpson with confusion and replied, "Chicken of the Sea is the brand. You know, 'cause a lot of people eat tuna, just like a lot of people eat chicken. Chicken of the Sea." Simpson then realized her mistake and said, "Oh, I understand now. I read it wrong."
The moment became a popular meme and was widely mocked, with Simpson becoming the subject of ridicule. However, she has since embraced the gaffe, even posting a meme on Instagram with a picture of a chicken floating in the sea and the hashtag #chickenofthesea. In 2024, Simpson and her daughter Maxwell starred in a commercial for Chicken of the Sea, poking fun at the incident. In the ad, Maxwell asks her mother, "Mom, what are you eating in the packet?" Simpson replies, "It's called Chicken of the Sea, but it's not really chicken — it's tuna. So don't get confused by it." Maxwell then asks, "Who would get confused by that?" to which Simpson slyly replies, "No one. Not your Mom," before letting out an awkward laugh.
Air Fryer Breaded Chicken: Tips for Perfectly Cooked Meals
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Simpson's ex-husband Nick Lachey's reaction
Jessica Simpson's ex-husband, Nick Lachey, has publicly expressed his reaction to his former wife's "Chicken of the Sea" comment, which occurred during their reality show Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica. While the incident took place in 2003, Lachey has continued to reflect on it even years later.
During the show's premiere episode, Simpson, confused by the brand name "Chicken of the Sea," asked Lachey: "Is this chicken that I have, or is this fish? I know it's tuna, but it says chicken...by the sea?" Lachey, taken aback by the question, responded by explaining that "Chicken of the Sea" was simply the brand name. He clarified that just as many people eat tuna as they do chicken.
Lachey's initial reaction to Simpson's comment seemed to be one of confusion and surprise. However, in subsequent years, he has shared his thoughts on the impact of the show and his relationship with Simpson. In 2025, Lachey opened up about his experience filming Newlyweds, acknowledging that the show became much bigger than they had anticipated. He shared that the show allowed him to introduce himself as Nick Lachey, the person, to the world and helped him feel comfortable being himself.
Lachey also expressed bittersweet feelings about the show's ending, which coincided with his marriage to Simpson unraveling. He admitted that while he struggled with the constant presence of camera crews, he grew close to the production crew and considered them family. Additionally, Lachey has commented on Simpson's tell-all memoir, "Open Book," in which she discusses their relationship. He stated that he has mutual respect for Simpson and is happy for her, echoing similar sentiments expressed by Simpson about him in the book.
Overall, Lachey's reactions to Simpson's "Chicken of the Sea" comment and their time together on Newlyweds seem to be a mix of surprise, confusion, appreciation for the show's impact, and a sense of closure regarding their marriage. While they have both moved on with their respective partners and families, they appear to have a respectful relationship and hold shared memories of their time together.
Meat or Bones: What's Best for Stock?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Simpson's Instagram post about the incident
The Simpsons family is known for their hilarious and relatable moments, and this time, we're taking a trip down memory lane to an iconic foodie mix-up!
It's time to dish out the deets on that one time, on the 2003 premiere of their reality show, when Marge Simpson, our beloved matriarch, had a tasty tuna treat from Chicken of the Sea. But, in a blend of poultry and piscine, she pondered: "Is this chicken that I have, or is this fish?"
Of course, we all know the famous catchphrase, and it's been a good-natured joke for years. Who can forget the exchange with her then-husband Homer, where she added, "I know it's tuna, but it says chicken by the sea"? A true moment of culinary conundrum!
Fast forward to today, and we're loving the playful spirit of the Simpson family, embracing the moment with a pinch of humour and a dash of self-deprecation. Marge recently recreated the scene with her daughter Lisa, who asked, "Mom, what are you eating in that packet?" With a playful wink, Marge replied, "It's called Chicken of the Sea, but it's not really chicken—it's tuna." Lisa, ever the witty one, questioned who'd ever get confused, to which Marge cheekily quipped, "No one. Not your Mom."
So, Simpsons fans, let's keep embracing those lighthearted moments that bring us together. Remember, it's always good to laugh at ourselves and find the fun in everyday moments, even if they involve seafood surprises! #ChickenOfTheSea #SimpsonsShenanigans #FoodieFun
Caring for Your First Day-Old Chick
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Simpson's daughter Maxwell pokes fun at the incident
Jessica Simpson, an American singer, actress, and fashion designer, became infamous for confusing chicken and tuna during the 2003 premiere episode of her reality TV show, *Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica*. The show, which chronicled her life with her then-husband Nick Lachey, featured a scene where Simpson questioned whether the "Chicken of the Sea" tuna she was eating was actually chicken.
> "Is this chicken that I have, or is this fish?" Simpson asked then-husband Nick Lachey. "I know it's tuna, but it says 'chicken by the sea,'" she continued. "Is that stupid? What is it called — chicken by the sea or in the sea?"
Lachey, looking confused, replied: "Chicken of the Sea is the brand. You know, 'cause a lot of people eat tuna, just like a lot of people eat chicken. Chicken of the Sea."
> "Oh, I understand now. I read it wrong," Simpson added.
Over two decades later, Simpson and her daughter, Maxwell Drew Johnson, poked fun at the incident in a new commercial for the brand. The ad, part of their "It's the One For Me" campaign, features Simpson and her daughter sitting on a couch. "Mom, what are you eating in the packet?" Maxwell asks. "It's called Chicken of the Sea, but it's not really chicken — it's tuna," Simpson responds. "So don't get confused by it." As Maxwell questions, "Who would get confused by that?" Simpson slyly replies, "No one. Not your Mom," before letting out an awkward laugh.
The commercial was released over 11 years after the birth of Simpson and Johnson's first child, daughter Maxwell, on May 1, 2012. Maxwell has been described as a confident and empathetic young girl who shares her mother's love of fashion. She has made several public appearances with her famous mother, including on the Home Shopping Network and in social media posts. Simpson has three children with her estranged husband, Eric Johnson: Maxwell, Ace Knute Johnson, and Birdie Mae.
The Ancient Joke: Chicken Crosses Road
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Simpson recreates the moment in a Chicken of the Sea ad
Jessica Simpson, the actress, singer, and fashion designer, recreated her iconic 2003 mix-up of tuna and chicken in a new Chicken of the Sea ad. The commercial, which features her daughter Maxwell, begins with Simpson lounging on a sofa, snacking on a packet of lemon garlic light tuna. When Maxwell asks what she's eating, Simpson replies, "It's called Chicken of the Sea. But it's not really chicken—it's tuna, so don't get confused." Maxwell then asks who would get confused, to which Simpson cheekily replies, "No one. Not your mom." The ad is part of Chicken of the Sea's "It's the One For Me" campaign and sweepstakes, where fans can submit photos and videos of how the brand's products fit into their lives for a chance to win $10,000.
In the original 2003 incident, Simpson confused tuna and chicken while eating a bowl of Chicken of the Sea on her reality show Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica, which chronicled her life with her then-husband Nick Lachey. "I know it's tuna, but it says chicken by the sea," she said, adding, "Is that stupid? What is it called—chicken by the sea or in the sea?" Lachey looked at her with confusion and explained that "Chicken of the Sea" was the brand name. Simpson then realized her mistake, saying, "Oh, I understand now. I read it wrong."
The mix-up became a part of pop culture, with Simpson herself poking fun at it over the years on social media and in interviews. In 2016, she posted a meme on Instagram with a photo of a chicken floating in the sea, hashtagged "#chickenofthesea." She also shared a screenshot of a TIME magazine article about Whole Foods mistakenly selling tuna salad labelled as chicken salad, captioning it: "It happens to the best of us."
By recreating the moment in the Chicken of the Sea ad, Simpson not only embraced the humour in the situation but also leveraged her iconic pop culture moment to promote the brand's new initiative. Griffin Raasch, the company's director of marketing, stated that Simpson was an ideal spokesperson to kick off their new campaign, as her "Is it chicken or is it fish?" moment is part of the fabric of pop culture. The ad gave a new spin to Simpson's famous mix-up, allowing her to address the confusion in a lighthearted and self-deprecating manner.
The Battle of Sexes: Chicken or the Egg?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Jessica Simpson.
In 2003, on the premiere episode of her reality show Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica, Simpson asked her then-husband Nick Lachey: "Is this chicken that I have, or is this fish? I know it's tuna, but it says chicken by the sea."
Simpson has poked fun at herself for the gaffe, sharing memes about it on social media. In 2024, she recreated the moment in a commercial for Chicken of the Sea, alongside her daughter Maxwell.
