Jessica Simpson and Nicole Richie just started taping their upcoming NBC reality series, Fashion Star, but the two designers are already getting along like old pals.

At a Friday taping of NBC’s midseason series in Los Angeles, Simpson, 31, and Richie, 29, gabbed in between takes and applauded each other as they offered feedback to aspiring designers.

“Nicole and Jess seemed to get along really well,” an eyewitness tells Us Weekly of the Winter Kate and Jessica Simpson Collection fashion moguls.

Clad in a black sparkly mini dress, Simpson clapped enthusiastically as her fellow reality show mentor was introduced to the crowd. Though the onlooker tells Us Simpson appeared fidgety at first, she was able to loosen up quite quickly. “She danced in her seat to the house music, almost as if releasing nervous energy,” says the witness.

NBC executives couldn’t be more thrilled to have Simpson, Richie, fellow mentor John Varvatos and host Elle MacPherson on board. “Jessica, Nicole, John and Elle make the most exciting team we have ever worked with on a reality television show and we are thrilled to feature such an extraordinary group of mentors and designers,” Fashion Star’s executive producer, Ben Silverman, has said of his cast.

Source: usmagazine.com

Nick Lachey is back on reality television with his wife. But this time around it’s not Jessica Simpson with Newlyweds reruns. It’s his new leading lady Vanessa Minnillo, in their TLC reality special Nick & Vanessa’s Dream Wedding. But Jessica’s presence still looms over the couple’s nuptials.

The TLC special may be all about Nick marrying Vanessa, but his last wedding sparked a paparazzi picture frenzy and heightened interest still remains in Nick’s nuptials with Vanessa because of his past with Jess.

Source: okmagazine.com

Jessica Simpson and fiancé Eric Johnson enjoyed a cozy afternoon with his parents at James Beach in Venice, Calif. A scruffy Eric drank a beer and Jessica had a cocktail with a lime wedge. “They looked adorable. Eric had his arm around Jessica as they sat at the bar. And they were taking cute photos on their phones,” an eyewitness tells us.

Source: people.com

Next year, Jessica Simpson will have a new NBC reality series, “Fashion Star,” and has a new wedding to plan. Access’ guest correspondent Jayde Donovan met up with Jessica, who revealed that she is keeping one important fact about her big day a secret.

Source: accesshollywood.com

There have been some concerns raised over the past couple of days regarding the situation with JessicaSimpson.com. Jessica’s official website appeared to be offline and even up for sale at one point – I can assure you that the domain name is not for sale, it is still owned by Jessica and her management company.

The site is currently down for updates and will reappear soon with a great new look that everyone will love! For now there is a temporary message:

We will let you know as soon as the new look JessicaSimpson.com comes online, so keep visiting back for more updates.

Are Saks Fifth Avenue, H&M and Macy’s the Cee Lo Green, Christina Aguilera and Blake Shelton of fashion? Well, that’s what NBC seems to believe. They’ve lined up employees from the retailers to be the judges on the reality show contest “Fashion Star,” which is shaping up to be like “The Voice” for the fashion business. Scheduled to premiere during the first half of next year, the show will feature around 14 designers vying for a multimillion-dollar contract to launch collections at Saks Fifth Avenue, H&M and Macy’s. Elle Macpherson has signed on to host and executive produce, and Jessica Simpson, Nicole Richie and John Varvatos will serve as mentors.

Source: wwd.com/eyescoop

This August, young fashionistas will have the opportunity to dress like Macy’s star Jessica Simpson. Expanding on her current clothing collection, Jessica Simpson will now offer sportswear to the junior consumer. With a more sophisticated feel, this collection offers pieces that are dressed up and ladylike, yet have a bit of funk and flair. With a lot of style, these are not your average suits or skirts, but 9-5 work wear that is updated and fresh.

Selling on average from $34 – $98, with higher-end faux fur pieces selling up to $129, key pieces will include tops, blazers, knits, sweaters and pants available in approximately 150 Macy’s stores nationwide.

Source: businesswire.com

A less-than-flattering paparazzi photo of Jessica Simpson sparked rumors of a possible bun in the oven for the singer/fashion mogul last week, but a source close to the star says not to get out the baby name book just yet.

“She is not pregnant,” the source told Access Hollywood on Wednesday.

While Jessica may not be expecting a child, the 31-year-old is treasuring every moment of her engagement to former NFL player Eric Johnson, who she began dating in May 2010.

The couple announced their engagement in November 2010, and has said they hope to wed by Christmas 2011.

Source: accesshollywood.com

The National Enquirer claims Jessica Simpson is “furious” about her ex Nick Lachey’s elaborate island wedding to Vanessa Minnillo.

A source close to Simpson tells Gossip Cop the idea that Lachey’s wedding angered her is ridiculous, and says she has no plans to televise her nuptials to Johnson.

Source: gossipcop.com

Thanks, Gossip Cop!