Nick Lachey is opening up about his recent run-in with his ex-wife, Jessica Simpson, on a plane ride to Hawaii.

While appearing on Wednesday night’s (May 13) episode of Watch What Happens Live, the 98 Degrees frontman confirmed to host Andy Cohen that he recently ran into Simpson for the first time since they divorced 20 years ago.

“It was strangely okay,” Nick confessed. “It’s been 20 years. We hadn’t seen each other in those 20 years, then spent six-and-a-half hours on a flight to Hawaii together. When I say spent, [it was] in the same vicinity. Everyone was very cordial, very respectful.”

Nick, who was traveling with his wife Vanessa Lachey and their “whole family,” said Simpson was seated with her mother, a.k.a. his “former mother-in-law,” while her estranged husband and their children were seated in a different part of the plane.

“The kids were in a separate class of service?” Cohen questioned, to which Nick replied, “Um … yes. Separate class of service,” seemingly hinting that Simpson put her kids in coach.

Nick and Simpson tied the knot in October 2002. Their wedding was featured on an episode of Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica, which premiered on MTV the following year and brought heightened media attention to their relationship. The couple split in November 2005, and finalized their divorce in June 2006, per People.

Nick went on to marry Vanessa, with whom he shares three children, in 2011, while Simpson married former NFL player Eric Johnson, with whom she also shares three children, in 2014. Unfortunately, Simpson announced her separation from Johnson last year.

“Eric and I have been living separately, navigating a painful situation in our marriage,” Simpson said in a January 2025 statement to People. “Our children come first, and we are focusing on what is best for them. We are grateful for all of the love and support that has been coming our way, and appreciate privacy right now as we work through this as a family.” 

Watch What Happens Live airs Sunday through Thursday at 10 p.m. ET on Bravo. New episodes are available to stream the next day on Peacock.