Heavily-pregnant Jessica Simpson goes nude on ELLE magazine cover

Mom-to-be Jessica Simpson appears nude on the cover of the April 2012 issue of ELLE magazine. The actress-turned-designer, who is pregnant with her first child, is channeling Demi Moore’s decade-old iconic Vanity Fair image.

Posing in front of a plain gray background, Jessica Simpson is seen cradling her bulging baby bump with her left arm on the cover image of April 2012 ELLE magazine. In the photo released by the magazine on Wednesday, the renowned fashion designer is covering her breasts with her right arm, wearing nothing but a yellow sapphire ring on her middle finger. The actress, who is engaged to Eric Johnson, has a sultry look while her voluminous blonde hair flows over her chest and back. Inside the magazine, there are also pictures of Johnson kissing the pregnant starlet’s burgeoning belly.

31-year-old “Fashion Star” mentor Jessica Simpson appears to be satisfied with her pregnancy portrait on the ELLE magazine cover. “I'm a lil nervous but I've never felt more beautiful or empowered,” she tweeted Wednesday about the photo.

Jessica Simpson was previously married to 98 Degrees lead singer Nick Lachey, whom she divorced in 2006 after four years of marriage. The former couple also starred together in a reality TV show about being newlyweds.

The actress started dating pro football player Eric Johnson in May 2010 and announced her pregnancy last year in October.

Just last month, Jessica Simpson was spotted buying pink stuff at a posh baby boutique in Los Angeles - fueling rumors she was having a girl. In the accompanying interview, the recording artist finally reveals the gender of her unborn baby with her fiancé, former NFL tight end Eric Johnson. “It’s a girl,” the fashionista says, adding, “I swear, I will croak if she asks me for a pair of Nikes instead of Christian Louboutins!”

The always candid star also shares her fears that her bundle of joy might be a tomboy. “Eric is so athletic. We’re gonna have this athletic girl and I won’t even be able to take her shopping, cause all she's gonna want is sports bras and Nikes!” the fashionista tells the magazine of the baby she is expecting this spring.

As for the names for the new arrival, Jessica Simpson doesn’t let the cat out of the bag. “We're embroidering it on things. It’s nothing shocking and nothing you’ll have to add to the dictionary,” she explains. “Still, when people hear it, they’ll know … why.”