Johannesburg – American singer and actress Jessica Simpson has left fans both amused and bewildered after revealing her rather unconventional secret to maintaining her vocal prowess: snake sperm. The revelation, shared in a recent Instagram post, has sparked a frenzy of reactions online, with many questioning the bizarre beverage choice.
In an Instagram video, Simpson, who recently made her return to the stage after a 15-year hiatus, can be seen in the studio with other artists, recounting the story of a Chinese herb drink recommended to her by her vocal coach.
Simpson explains that she did not know what the drink contained until someone asked her about it, prompting them to research the ingredients.
To her surprise, she discovered that the drink contains snake sperm. Simpson shared her reaction with her followers, seeming amused by the revelation.
“They’re like, ‘What are you drinking?’ It’s this Chinese herb thing. I’m like ‘I don’t know. My vocal coach told me to drink it,'” Simpson explained in the clip. “And they Googled it and it’s snake sperm. It’s like a honey,” Simpson said, letting out a laugh.
“If you want a good vocal, you gotta drink snake sperm!” she added.
Simpson's candid admission has generated a mix of surprise and amusement among her fans, who have praised her honesty and willingness to share her life experiences.
@deidrec02 commented: “I love this, you always make me smile and laugh. You are a beautiful queen! I wish you had your own show.”
The "snake sperm" revelation comes just days after the release of Simpson's new EP, "Nashville Canyon, Pt. 1," her first project since 2010's "Happy Christmas," although she dropped a one-off single, titled “Particles” in 2021. The EP features five tracks including “Leave Me,” “Use My Heart Against Me,” and “Breadcrumbs.”
Simpson recently spoke to Rolling Stone about working on her album from East Nashville and co-writing the tracks with producer JD McPherson.
“A lot of people are like, ‘I didn’t really listen to your music in the past, but I respected you as a singer, and I feel like this is the most you you’ve ever been,’” Simpson told Rolling Stone ahead of the album. “To me, that is success.”
Simpson also made her first stage appearance since 2010 earlier this month, performing covers of “Son of a Preacher Man” and “These Boots Are Made for Walkin'” along with renditions of her EP’s songs during a Texas show.
“This time I needed to remember who I was and why I wanted to sing in the first place and all the music that inspires me,” Simpson said. “And I needed to forget who they told me to be.”
Simpson made her (long-awaited?) return to the stage for the first time in 15 years when the singer/actress took the stage at Willie Nelson’s Luck Reunion just outside of Austin, Texas.
Simpson's journey back to the stage has also involved a commitment to sobriety. Back in 2023, Simpson revealed that she was four years sober and shared some old photos of herself that she called “unrecognizable.”
She said it was in this moment she knew it was time to “take back my light,” adding that a big part of that was quitting alcohol to keep her mind clear.
Simpson said it had now been four years since she’s had a drink on the journey to find “personal power with soulful courage.”
But what about the snake sperm? While Simpson seems to be taking it in good humour, is there any scientific basis for its purported vocal benefits?
The truth is, there's no credible scientific evidence to support the claim that snake sperm can improve vocal performance. The idea likely stems from traditional medicine practices, where certain animal products are believed to possess medicinal properties. However, these beliefs are often based on anecdotal evidence rather than rigorous scientific testing.
Snake sperm, like the sperm of other animals, is primarily composed of genetic material and proteins. While it might contain some nutrients, there's nothing inherently unique about its composition that would suggest it could enhance vocal cords. It's more likely that any perceived benefits are due to a placebo effect or other ingredients in the Chinese herb drink Simpson is consuming.
Ultimately, Jessica Simpson's snake sperm revelation is a reminder that even celebrities are willing to try unusual remedies in pursuit of their goals.
