Jessica Simpson’s ‘Nashville Canyon’ Era Begins with Bold Hair Makeover and American Idol Appearance

 Here's a concise summary of what you need to know:

• Jessica Simpson debuted a new hairstyle during the American Idol Season 23 finale on May 18.
• The fresh dirty blonde hue was crafted by her longtime hairstylist Rita Hazan.
• Hazan told PEOPLE that the transformation took two hours and gives Jessica a more natural look.

Jessica Simpson Flaunts Sun-Kissed New 'Do at American Idol Season 23 Finale

Jessica Simpson is sporting a new fresh style!

The 43-year-old music icon exited with a coveted dirty blonde cut dotted with sun-kissed highlights for her cameo at the American Idol Season 23 finale on Sunday, May 18.

To achieve the beachy look, Simpson engaged her longtime friend and celebrity colorist Rita Hazan. Hazan described the new look as "more natural," likening it to the effortless glow of "a kid on the beach."

She describes the color as "desert sunset blonde" and added the process was about two hours.

To finish off the look, Hazan utilized a workhorse in her lineup — Glaze's Supergloss. "For Jessica, we used the color Vanilla Lights, her perfect match to neutralize brassiness in highlights," Hazan said. "It gives a luscious, glossy finish with a smooth, polish-like texture — immediately refreshing and reviving the hair on first application."

Jessica Simpson Loves Her New Look: A Youthful New Color

Jessica Simpson is loving her latest hair makeover. The singer "loved it," says her go-to hairstylist Rita Hazan.

"Jessica loved it," Hazan tells PEOPLE. "She was so excited to change it up. She's always had that classic buttery blonde, but this time we wanted something new and youthful.".

The new look comes as Simpson is transitioning out of a new stage in her life since she split up with husband Eric Johnson this year. The couple previously had three children — Maxwell "Maxi" Drew, Birdie Mae, and Ace Knute — and are currently learning to co-parent.

“I think the new color has this young, vibrant energy, but with confidence and a little attitude — it reflects where she is emotionally,” Hazan explains. “There’s a personal and professional trust between us. We’ve been in each other’s lives for so long.”

Their hair appointments are more than a styling session — they're a ritual. "Typically, I fly in from New York and we host what we like to call a 'hair party' in her bathroom," Hazan says. "It's always the same core group of girlfriends every six weeks. We gossip, tell stories, laugh nonstop. Honestly, I don't know if there's ever been a time that we did not laugh uncontrollably."

Jessica Simpson Turns Country with New Fashion and Music Enterprises

Jessica Simpson recently sat down with PEOPLE for an honest discussion about her new projects — including her new EP, Nashville Canyon, and a fresh Walmart-exclusive collection from the Jessica Simpson Collection, marking her celebration of country music heritage.

During an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Simpson described how real life informs her creative vision:

"Style evolves with me, through every stage of life," she said. "That's the concept that's moving my music right now. Nashville Canyon is about past, present, and future — it's about flexibility, femininity, openness, and self-confidence." 

When it comes to fashion, Simpson revealed that she does not follow a formula. "I do not have rules when it comes to inspiration," she said. "It could be a design on an old wallpaper on the screen or a performance art in an older documentary."

An observing spirit by nature, she continued, "Everybody that knows me knows that I never miss a detail. Inspiration hits me in gut-level moments every day. Honestly, I don't know what I'd do without Pinterest."

Jessica Simpson Understands Fearless Style with Back-to-Back Concerts in Texas

Jessica Simpson has been trending the news lately with her fearless fashion choices and electrifying return to stage performances.

The fashion mogul and pop singer in March posted videos on Instagram and TikTok of a dramatic airport look in Austin, Texas, as she performed live for the first time in 15 years during Recording Academy's Austin Chapter Block Party in South by Southwest.

Her show-stopping ensemble consisted of a $2,350 Maison Common faux shearling coat (which sold out instantly), paired over a leopard-print jumpsuit and high latex heeled boots. She finished the look with oversized aviator sunglasses and a show-stopping cross necklace.

In late March, Simpson surprised once again at the Luck Reunion festival at Willie Nelson's Luck Ranch in Spicewood, Texas, once again channeling her go-to Western glam.

For the performance, she dressed in a leopard-print skirt with heaps of turquoise accessories, including a gigantic silver belt buckle, chunky earrings, and a matching necklace. She topped it off with a cropped crochet lace bolero and spared no silver trims whatsoever — her wrists were covered in chunky jewelry, and even her nails were painted with festoons for the occasion.

Jessica Simpson Resumes Musical Comeback with American Idol Appearance

Jessica Simpson's recent appearance on American Idol marks another milestone in her ongoing musical comeback. The pop star has been making a slow return to the scene since releasing her pop-country rock single "Use My Heart Against Me" in February — her first new music in years.

"It was a sexy song to write," Simpson told PEOPLE exclusively of the song, which appears on her new EP, Nashville Canyon.

She shared that the lyrics came to her one morning: “I woke up with that line in my head,” she explained. “It’s about craving someone you’ve had before and not caring if your heart gets broken again — even if it’s just for one night. You’re willing to risk it, just to feel that experience again.”