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The actress feels "blessed" to have "gone through the hard stuff" in her life, reports ‘Female First UK’.

The 45-year-old star has returned to performing music live, after separating from husband Eric Johnson earlier this year, and Jessica is now looking to the future with optimism.

The actress, who has Maxwell, 13, Ace, 12, and Birdie, six, with Eric, told ‘People’ magazine, "I was just in Pittsburgh to perform for the first time since 2008 for 60-plus minutes. It felt like home. It was such an adrenaline rush. It was beautiful for me. I’m actually blessed to have gone through the hard stuff that I went through. I feel like I’m on the other side. I’m proud to be doing music independently and have my kids rooting for me. It’s more free than I’ve ever been”.

Jessica revealed in July that she was ready to start dating again. The singer was asked by ‘Today’ show co-host Jenna Bush-Hager, "Are you interested in dating? Can I set you up with anybody?"

Jessica replied, “I'd totally jump on that. Yes I'm single - very into like, very, I'm ready”. Jenna subsequently questioned, "What are you into so I can set my criteria?" And Jessica then explained, "My type of person is one of a kind. I don't have a look, or anything. I just like for somebody to be individually, who they are. And exude confidence without the ego. It's hard to find but I feel like it's out there. I don't need somebody to be supportive of me all the time. I feel like the independence that I have right now, if I can have that and give it to someone else, that'd be cool”.

As per ‘Female First UK’, Jessica announced her split from Eric in January. The singer-actress wrote on Instagram at the time, "Eric and I have been living separately, navigating a painful situation in our marriage”.

“Our children come first, and we are focusing on what is best for them. We are grateful for all of the love and support that has been coming our way, and appreciate privacy right now as we work through this as a family”, she added.

- IANS