Earlier this week, an interview with Nick and Vanessa Lachey went viral for all the wrong reasons.
The pair appeared on Today to discuss their new TV show, but since Nick's ex-wife Jessica Simpson is currently promoting a book which references him, it was only a matter of time before she came up.
It all started when Hoda Kotb mentioned that she'd recently interviewed Jessica about her memoir, Open Book. She claimed that during the interview, Jessica said she was on good terms with Nick, and that he and Vanessa had sent a "beautiful" gift after she gave birth.
Nick attempted to move the conversation on by talking about something else, but Vanessa interrupted looking very confused.
"I feel bad, I'm sorry," she said. "You said somebody sent her [something]...It wasn't us."
Rather than just laugh and move on, Hoda decided to recount Jessica's story again, saying: "She got something nice from you guys after — I don't remember — some moment in her life, and she thought it was sweet. So she sort of was, like, saying thanks to you guys."
Nick then quietly asked Vanessa, "What did you send?" and she replied: "No, I didn't."
Hoda joked: "You can't remember?!"
And Vanessa, visibly confused, replied: "No, I didn't. I don't know her address. But thank you, whoever sent it from us."
Many people were quick to criticise Vanessa's response to the situation, suggesting she'd deliberately made the interaction awkward in a bid to create ~drama~.
@VanessaLachey Saw your interview today and it was truly sad. I was confused as to why you even had to "clarify" things? Right, or wrong it wasn't necessary and it just came across shady. I know you could care less what I have to say, but it just was sad to watch. Just saying..
Others said she should have just taken credit for sending the gift.
Well, Vanessa has now spoken out in defence of herself, responding to a series of tweets commenting on the incident.
The first tweet she responded to was this one, in which her reaction was described as "10000% not necessary and super awkward".
Anyone else catch @VanessaLachey deny doing something nice for @JessicaSimpson on the today show? I feel like that was 10000% not necessary... and super awkward.
"How." Vanessa wrote in response, "I'd love to know. Truly...I think it's weird accepting credit for something you didn't do or give. Even weirder to bring up something so random."
@BeFairyCreative @heatherkirkk @JessicaSimpson How. I’d love to know. Truly... I think it’s weird accepting credit for something you didn’t do or give. Even weirder to bring up something so random. Just giving facts. Wanted to make sure we were truthful. 🥰
"Just giving facts," she added. "Wanted to make sure we were truthful."
"Should I have pretended to give it?" she went on, "Can we get a do over and tell them it was a big beautiful basket."
@heatherkirkk @JessicaSimpson Should I have pretended to give it? Dang. Can we get a do over and I will tell them it was big beautiful basket. ;-). Kidding, sorry you think that, just wanted to be truthful. That’s all. But the gift sounds lovely!
Vanessa then replied to someone who criticised her for "calling out the host" live on air.
@VanessaLachey Classless act on @HodaAndJenna. U dont call out the host on live TV 2 look or feel important. @NickLachey embarrassed👍🏼 @JessicaSimpson had a heartwarming & tasteful interview that made those who dont know her fall in love w/ her. @Netflix dating show no comp 2 JS!
She said: "Totally hear you. But also, you make sure you do your research and state facts and ask appropriate questions as the host... don’t you think. The statement wasn’t true, so I was simply clearing that up."
@Clark33Clark @HodaAndJenna @NickLachey @JessicaSimpson @netflix Hey Derek. Totally hear you. But also, you make sure you do your research and state facts and ask appropriate questions as the host... don’t you think. The statement wasn’t true, so I was simply clearing that up. But definitely a beautiful sentiment if it was.
Another fan said she thought she'd misheard Vanessa's initial comment denying she'd sent the gift.
@KatieK61 @HodaAndJenna @NickLachey @VanessaLachey Yes. I had to rewatch it. I couldn’t believe what Vanessa said/did the first time I heard it. I see it wasn’t just me.
So Vanessa responded to this tweet too.
@kdarata @KatieK61 @HodaAndJenna @NickLachey Teehee, there was no gift ladies! That was what I was trying to say. But maybe we should have sent something. Then this would be all good?! ;-) Hope you have a Beautiful day! ❤️
And, finally, several other people said she was deliberately being shady.
Wow @VanessaLachey tossing shade on @HodaAndJenna at @JessicaSimpson
Sorry @VanessaLachey but that was definitely some type of shade. Why even deny it? What did that accomplish exactly? @edailypop #EDailyPop
So she responded to two tweets denying this was the case.
@JaniacNYC @HodaAndJenna @JessicaSimpson Ohhh shade! That would be fun and scandalous! No shade though, haha. Just wanting to clear the incorrect statement up. That’s all. 😘😘😘 Hope you Love the show on NETFLIX! #LoveIsBlind
@itsbayyyyyy @edailypop Sorry you think that, just didn’t want to take credit for something we didn’t do. That’s all. Seems weird to ignore sending a big beautiful gift basket and taking that credit. Either way... hope you have a Beautiful day! ❤️
In fact, a source told Hollywood Life that the gift was a "large basket of pink and white cookies with adorable baby girl decorations".
So, in conclusion, I'm still confused.
