No doubt about it. It’s been a tough week for country singer Jessica Simpson after pictures of her new “curves” while wearing high-waisted jeans sparked some cruel headlines.

But friends and relatives have rallied round, including a vote of support from Simpson’s ex-husband Nick Lachey, who was married to the singer from 2002-2005.

“I wish her nothing but the best and I hope she’s happy — whatever size that comes in, “Lachey told celebrity web site Extra on Friday. “I can’t believe it’s this big of a story and people are making such a big deal about it. I never ceased to be amazed by people’s reactions to things.”

Simpson, 28,  wearing tight black leather pants for a concert in Charlottesvlle, Virgina, thanked her fans on Thursday for their support without directly using words like buxom, fat, or jumbo that have been thrown around in her direction this week.

“Please remember, no matter what you go through in life, somebody else might have it harder,”  she told the crowd, according to People.com. ” I feel like in our world today, we focus on so many things that are completly pointless.”

Simpson’s brother-in-law, Fall Out Boy  front-man Pete Wentz , also came to her defense.  Wentz   told Extra that the media “puts too harsh of a spotlight on women in general and I think it’s a bummer. Real beauty is on the inside, man.”

Simpson isn’t the first celebrity to get ripped for apparently putting on a few pounds, and despite all the furor in recent years over anorexic looking fashion models, it looks as if she won’t be the last.

Do we really still want our celebs to look super-slim all the time?