Ashlee Simpson, the 40-year-old singer and entertainer, marked a significant milestone as her firstborn son Bronx turned 16, sharing touching moments that showcase their strong bond and his remarkable growth.
In a heartfelt Instagram post on Wednesday, November 20, Simpson shared photos that captured attention, particularly one showing the Bronx standing notably taller than his mother under a canopy of lights. The teenager’s height difference became a talking point, with Simpson previously noting on The Jennifer Hudson Show that he stands at “5-foot-9½.”
The “Pieces of Me” singer expressed deep emotion in her social media tribute: “Being your mom has been the greatest joy of my life. You are my rock, my soul, my ride or die.” She included current photos and nostalgic throwbacks, from her pregnancy days to Bronx’s childhood moments with his younger siblings.
The birthday celebration highlighted the strong family dynamics in their blended household. The Bronx, whom Simpson shares with ex-husband Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy, has grown into what his mother describes as a “calm, consistent, brilliant” young man. Wentz also joined the celebration, sharing a father-son selfie on Instagram Stories with the message, “Happy birthday. I love you so much.”
Simpson’s current family life represents a success story in modern co-parenting. She has built a harmonious relationship with Wentz and his partner, Meagan Camper, recently stating on the “Broad Ideas” podcast that she had won “the co-parenting lottery.” Simpson has two other children with current husband Evan Ross: daughter Jagger, 9, and son Ziggy, 3.
The birthday post revealed intimate family moments, showing Bronx’s close relationship with his younger siblings. His maturity has sometimes led to amusing situations, with Simpson recounting how he was mistakenly offered wine at a movie theater due to his grown-up appearance.
“He’s chill, though, so I’m lucky for that,” Simpson shared in a previous interview. “He’s a good kid so far.” This sentiment echoes throughout her birthday tribute, where she praised his kind-hearted and thoughtful nature.
The celebration also highlighted how Simpson balances parenting children of different ages. She recently told PEOPLE magazine, “Everyone’s going through something different. My oldest son’s going to be 16, my daughter is 8… and then my 3-year-old’s dancing and being hilarious. It works out. It’s a nice balance.”
The family’s public appearances and social media presence show a tight-knit unit despite the complex dynamics of a blended family. Simpson’s husband, Evan Ross, has embraced his role as what she calls “the best bonus dad,” contributing to their successful family structure.
This milestone birthday celebrates Bronx’s journey into young adulthood and showcases how modern families can thrive through mutual respect, love, and understanding. As Simpson said in her birthday message, “You are a true gift to this universe, and I’m so lucky you are my very grown cool baby.”