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EXCLUSIVE: Jessica Simpson's high school sweetheart shares never-before-seen photos of the star... and reveals she was bullied by 'jealous girls'

Published: 10:21 EST, 28 May 2015 | Updated: 13:06 EST, 28 May 2015

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Jessica Simpson’s high school sweetheart recalls slow dancing with the future star before she became Hollywood's most famous virgin on reality TV show, Newlyweds.

Chris Etchieson has shared never-before-seen photographs taken one year before Simpson met first husband Nick Lachey, and admits he will always look back on that night in 1997 with mixed emotions.

The singer and fashion designer was the most popular girl at J.J. Pearce High School in Dallas, Texas, and naturally all the guys wanted to date her.

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'She got away!' Jessica Simpson's high school sweetheart Chris Etchieson has shared a never-before-seen photo which shows him slow dancing with the star, and talked about growing up with her

But through an after-school dance club Etchieson would count Simpson as his partner and ultimately the one that got away.

Reminiscing over the evenings he got close to Jessica while listening to country legend Garth Brooks, he revealed: 'I got lucky because she was the hottest girl in our group. We became close, good friends. We would chat in the school hall and I got to know her really well.'

Etchieson, who still lives in Dallas and works in engineering, admits it's hard not to look back with regret for not swooning over the girl who'd later become the mastermind behind a billion-dollar fashion empire.

Destined to be a star: Chris says that Jessica always had 'a star quality about her', and that she was popular at school but bullied by some girls

Daddy's girl: The now 34-year-old, seen here with her minister father Joe, was a cheerleader

'She got away! I didn't try any moves on her. I was always on my best behavior because I knew all the guys wanted to be with her and I didn't want to be like them,' he explains.

'It was different with Jess because she didn't date in high school. Everyone knew she was single, I'd say she was notoriously single and that was part of the reason she got so much attention.'

He reveals how Simpson - who he first met at North Junior High in 1993 - got a lot of attention from guys because of her figure, while the girls were less supportive.

She can really sing! A young Jessica Simpson does Broadway

Sharing his story: Chris is still living in Dallas, Texas, where they went to school, and works as an engineer

Still friends: Chris said he bumped into Jessica in 2008 and that they spent 45 minutes catching up

'A lot of other girls were jealous and I know some people would bully her. It's hard for girls to develop so quickly but from what I saw she always had great self-esteem.

'A lot of people call her an air-head but that's probably because she's sweet. For someone who was destined to become famous she was really down to earth.

'She was really popular in general, with the guys and the girls, everyone knew who she was. Jess was a cheerleader and hung out with that kind of crew.'

When asked if Simpson boasted any diva behaviour off the back of her popularity and beauty, he said: 'I don't think she necessarily craved the attention or liked being chased but there was always a star quality about her.'

'She was notoriously single': Chris says Jessica did not date in high school. She is pictured in the centre of the photograph, while he is seen in the back row, far right

Waiting for her wedding night: Jessica stayed a virgin until she married Nick Lachey in 2002, and her high school pal says 'everyone knew' she was saving herself for marriage. Jessica was 18 when she met Nick

Simpson famously made a vow to remain a virgin until marriage and a purity ring was given to her aged 12 by her father Joe, a pastor at local Heights Baptist Church.

She later starred in MTV's reality show Newlyweds which followed her and Lachey's marriage, which Etchieson insists was genuine and not staged for publicity.

'I knew Jessica was a virgin. She didn't run around shouting about it but everyone knew,' he said.

'She didn't force her religion on anybody. I truly believe she was committed to her faith and was a virgin until Nick. I feel bad for her after what happened with Newlyweds having the cameras following their every move. That's not going to help a troubled marriage.'

'She was really down to earth': Chris said that some people call Jessica 'an air-head', but that it's only 'because she's sweet'

Where they met: Jessica and Chris went to J.J. Pearce High School, just outside of Dallas

Moving on up: While she now lives in a mansion, Jessica's childhood home was modest

Etchieson last saw Simpson in 2008 when she returned to Dallas to spend time with then-boyfriend Tony Romo, a quarter-back in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys.

He said: 'I bumped into her at the airport here and we spent about 45 minutes catching up. She remembered me, of course, even though it was 10 years since we last spoke. We talked about life, what was going on, how her family are and the usual stuff like that.

'I'd see Tony quite often as I worked in the airport and he'd always be flying in and out on private jets.

'Whenever I would speak to him I could tell Jessica definitely wore the trousers, from what I heard she's pretty tough and is really hard work in a relationship. I guess that's what happens when you have two high profile relationships in the public eye.'

Nowadays: The singer and fashion designer is pictured here on April 23

Get a jump on style in Jessica Simpson's Roland Mouret jumpsuit!

Jessica Simpson and her pregnant sister made a stylish pair as they attended the Gleason Project event with their husbands. The blond singers looked great as Ashlee rocked a long red dress and black cape over her ever growing bump, but it is Jessica's jumpsuit that we are obsessing about.

The black jumpsuit that boasts a white contrasting detail at the neck is the perfect thing to wear when you want to be the center of attention. The Roland Mouret jumpsuit has everything we are loving in a jumpsuit at the moment. Sleek fit, halter neck, and chic wide leg that you should pair with an amazing pair of heels.

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Simpson split from Romo in 2009 and became engaged to retired NFL star Eric Johnson in November 2010. They married in July 2014 and have two children, daughter Maxwell, three, and son Ace, 22 months.

When the star made odd comments and pulled funny faces during an interview at an awards ceremony in March this year, some suggested she'd had one too many drinks.

Etchieson said: 'Jess was very active with the church so always distanced herself from drink and drugs way back when but I don't know how strict she is with her beliefs anymore.'

He added: 'I think whatever she does will be scrutinized and even when her weight changes I think she looks great. As long as she's happy who am I to judge?'

'Marriage is unbelievable': Jessica Simpson on her husband

Happy family: Jessica is married to Eric Johnson and they have two children together, three-year-old Maxwell and Ace, 22 months. They are seen here in November 2014