Celebrity Online NewsOnline Celebrity Gossip and News

This article or section has multiple issues. Please help improve the article or discuss these issues on the talk page. Its references would be clearer with a different or consistent style of citation, footnoting or external linking. Tagged since June 2008. It needs additional references or sources for verification. Tagged since April 2008. The external links in this article may not comply with Wikipedia's content policies or guidelines. Please improve this article by removing excessive or inappropriate external links. Tagged since April 2008.

Jessica Simpson
Simpson at the Bob Hope Memorial Theater at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, 2005.
Background information
Birth name	Jessica Ann Simpson
Born	July 10, 1980 (1980-07-10) (age 28)
Origin	Abilene, Texas, United States
Genre(s)	Pop, Country, R&B, dance-pop, adult contemporary
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter, actress
Years active	1999–present
Label(s)	Columbia (1998-2006) Epic (2006-2007) Columbia Nashville (2008-present)[1]
Associated acts	Nick Lachey, Ashlee Simpson, 98 Degrees, Willie Nelson
Website	JessicaSimpson.com

Jessica Ann Simpson (born July 10, 1980) is an American pop singer and actress who rose to fame in the late 1990s. She has achieved seven Billboard Top 40 hits, and has two gold and three multi-platinum RIAA-certified albums. Simpson starred with her then-husband Nick Lachey in the MTV reality show Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica. She has also begun working as an actress, and is the older sister of Ashlee Simpson, an internationally successful Pop Rock singer and actress.

Early life

Simpson was born in Abilene, Texas, the daughter of Tina and Joe Truett Simpson, who was a minister and psychologist.^[2] She began singing at her local Baptist church. She auditioned for the Mickey Mouse Club and made it to the finals at the age of twelve. She attended J.J. Pearce High School, but dropped out around the age of sixteen, after releasing a self-titled gospel album, at the age of fourteen. The album, however, failed to make an impact in the US. Simpson signed with Columbia Records in 1998.^[3][4][5]

Career

1999-2001: Rise to fame

Simpson released her first single, "I Wanna Love You Forever," which peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2000. Soon afterward her major label debut album Sweet Kisses was released. Simpson toured with boy band 98 Degrees to promote her new album. She was given a role in the music video for 98 Degrees' hit song "My Everything," playing Nick Lachey's love interest. At that time she and Lachey began dating. After dating for two years the couple cooled their relationship, stating that the "break" allowed them to concentrate on their music careers. Then on September 11, 2001, Lachey was supposed to be flying out of New York City with his group 98 Degrees. When Simpson heard of the attacks on the nation coming from the airport she immediately phoned Lachey to learn his whereabouts. After this scare the couple rekindled the relationship.

Meanwhile, Simpson's album Sweet Kisses had gone double platinum, helped by follow-up singles "Where You Are" and "I Think I'm In Love With You", which were both released in 2000. The latter became Simpson's biggest radio hit at that point and was her first release of an uptempo single. But although her debut album sold 2 million copies, sales fell far short of those achieved by Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, and unlike the two pop princesses, Simpson was not a worldwide household name. Columbia Records officials reportedly decided Simpson needed a change for her second album.

In 2001, Simpson recorded a follow-up album with what Columbia considered more radio-friendly, up-tempo tracks. The result in that was Irresistible, released in mid-2001 on the heels of the title-track first single. "Irresistible" became one of the biggest hits of her career; it peaked at # 15 on the Hot 100. Irresistible debuted at #6 in June 2001 on the Billboard 200 Album Chart, and has sold 825,000 copies to date.

2002: Marriage to Nick Lachey and TV success

During the summer of 2003, the reality show, Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica, starring Simpson and her then-new husband Nick Lachey began airing on MTV. Simpson's third album, In This Skin, was released in August of 2003 to coincide with the series premiere of Newlyweds.

The show quickly became a pop culture phenomenon and is credited with making her a household name, even among those who did not follow pop music or MTV. “I never knew that just doing the show would give me that pedestal to step on,” Simpson told Blender magazine in a March 2004 feature.^[6]

On May 30, 2004, Simpson was chosen to sing the National Anthem at the Indianapolis 500. Later that summer, Simpson won three Teen Choice Awards: Female Fashion Icon, Choice Hottie Female, and Female Reality/Variety TV Star for Newlyweds.

The associated album, In This Skin, debuted at #10 on The Billboard 200 album chart, with sales of 64,000 in its first week. It rebounded after a special collectors' edition was released in April 2004 and subsequently reached a peak of #2. It was eventually certified quadruple platinum. It contained the song "Sweetest Sin", which barely even made an impact on the Bubbling Under Hot 100. However the album did contain the hit singles "With You" (#14, 2004) and a cover of the Berlin song "Take My Breath Away" (#20, 2004), and a lesser hit, a cover of the Robbie Williams song "Angels", which charted just outside the Billboard Hot 100.

The couple starred in the television special The Nick and Jessica Variety Hour, which aired in 2004 and was compared to The Sonny & Cher Show. Simpson released Rejoyce: The Christmas Album in late 2004, which peaked at #14 on the album chart and was later certified gold.

In 2005, Newlyweds won a People's Choice Award for Favorite Reality Show before wrapping shortly after.

Move to film

In the summer of 2005, at age 25, Simpson made her first appearance in a motion picture as Daisy Duke in the movie remake of The Dukes of Hazzard. The film was #1 at the box office its opening weekend, although it had little or no competition (the only other new film opening that weekend was a low-budget independent film), and grossed $30.7 million on 3,785 screens. It also had an adjusted-dollar rank of #14 all-time for August releases. The film eventually collected $110.5 million world-wide, although it was much less financially successful outside the U.S.

Simpson also appeared on the film's soundtrack, releasing "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'", a cover of the 1966 Nancy Sinatra hit. The song peaked at # 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 and won a People's Choice Award for Favorite Song from a Movie in 2006. The song's video featured Simpson as Daisy Duke. It contains scenes of her flirting and singing in a bar and then later washing her car in a pink string bikini. In some countries the video was banned for its overtly sexual content.^[7]

Simpson's second film, Employee of the Month, was released October 6, 2006. With poor reviews, the film took in $11.8 million in its opening weekend, debuting at #4 just behind Open Season.

Simpson's third film, Blonde Ambition, was released in December 2007 playing on limited theaters in Texas. After failing to gain interest, it was released on DVD the following month. Filming for the movie "The Witness", a spy comedy, had been scheduled for the same time but has been postponed.^[8]

2006-2007: Music and movies

Simpson in August 2006

November 2005 brought confirmation of rumors that Simpson and Lachey were breaking up. On June 30, 2006, their divorce was finalized. Simpson hosted the Teen Choice Awards in August 2006, and appeared on The View in September 2006 as the first choice of new co-host Rosie O'Donnell.

Simpson then returned to the recording studio, switching labels from Columbia to Epic Records. Her fourth album, A Public Affair, was released on August 29, 2006 via Epic Records. The album debuted at #5 on the Billboard 200 with 101,000 copies sold in its first week. The first single, "A Public Affair" (#14, 2006), reached the Top 20 of the Hot 100 but quickly fell off the charts. The music video for "A Public Affair" featured Eva Longoria, Christina Applegate, Christina Milian, Maria Menounos, Andy Dick and Ryan Seacrest. A second single, "I Belong To Me," was also released through her website and is now included on the CD itself. The single's video appeared on TRL countdowns, but quickly fell off.

In December 2006, while performing a tribute to Dolly Parton at the Kennedy Center Awards, she botched the lyrics, getting flustered in front of a crowd that included prominent persons such as Steven Spielberg, Shania Twain, and President George W. Bush. Afterward, during the final tribute to Parton, Parton's "biggest fan" Reese Witherspoon and her second cousin Jessica Savelli gave a tearful Simpson a comforting hug. Though Simpson was given the chance to redo the song for cameras, ultimately her portion was edited out of the CBS broadcast.

Luke Wilson co-starred with Simpson in her third film, Blonde Ambition, which was leaked online in December 2007. The movie was released on DVD the following month.

Simpson recently said she is due back in front of the cameras filming her next movie role in "The Witness." She also said she will be publishing a book containing selections from her personal journal and photographs, titled "Look Up To the Sky." Simpson has also been confirmed to be in studio recording with Eddie Galan and Drew Lane.

Jessica's father Joe Simpson stated to People magazine on September 11, 2007, that Jessica is considering doing a country album. Joe told People that Jessica is "talking about doing a country record and going back to her roots, being from Texas."

The country album has been confirmed for a 2008 release, via Columbia Nashville.^[9] Her first single from the upcoming album, "Come on Over," leaked on May 27, 2008, but will not be released until July 2008. The country album, entitled Do You Know,^[10] is scheduled for a September 9, 2008 release.^[11]

Other projects

Following in the footsteps of other female musicians, such as Cher and Patti LaBelle, Simpson launched a line of hair and beauty products on the Home Shopping Network. Teaming with celebrity stylist Ken Pavés and trained by HSN's first-ever home shopping host Bob Circosta, Simpson sells clip-in hair extensions over the air. Simpson also designs and markets a line of handbags and (primarily high-heeled) shoes and boots. She also plans to design lingerie including bras, panties, sleepwear and daywear. Jessica Simpson's Intimates is set to be available in major department stores and online shopping sites for spring 2009. ^[12]

Simpson has had many commercials, mainly with Pizza Hut and Proactiv Solution. She also has a commercial with Ice Breakers, along with her sister Ashlee. She has had up to three Pizza Hut commercials, the first in 2004, advertising the new Buffalo Wing Pizza (costarring The Muppets). In 2005, she started advertising Proactiv Solution, an over-the-counter acne medicine. In 2006, she premiered another Pizza Hut commercial for the Super Bowl XL broadcast. She sang "These Bites Are Made For Poppin'," in reference to the song "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'," to advertise the new Cheesy Bites Pizza. In 2007, the Super Bowl featured her third Pizza Hut commercial, which again promoted the Cheesy Bites Pizza. She has also advertised DirecTV in character as Daisy Duke.

Management

Jessica Simpson with her father and manager, Joe Simpson

Jessica is managed by her father, Joe Truett Simpson, whose fee is reported to be between 10 percent and 20 percent of her income. He has distanced himself from his daughters' finances, however, and has no access to their bank accounts, which are under the supervision of their shared and longtime business manager, David Levin. Mr. Simpson said he wanted his children to see that "Daddy never touched their stuff. I wanted them to always look at me with respect."^[13]

Jessica's principal photographer is Keith Munyan of North Hollywood, who also handles much of the shots of Hilary Duff and Carmen Electra.

Controversy

Simpson received criticism from a Christian group calling itself "The Resistance", for the sexualized image she used in the music video for "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'".^[14] In response, Simpson stated, "It didn't really surprise me because I grew up with a lot of that backlash. That's why I didn't end up going into the Christian music industry. I think that if they're really good Christians the judgment wouldn't be there."^[15]

In June of 2008 Simpson was seen with Tony Romo wearing a shirt that said "Real Girls Eat Meat". It was seen as a slam at Romo's ex girlfriend Carrie Underwood. Simpson has been compared to Underwood in terms that she is coping her to generate the success Underwood has seen in Country Music. Simpson is starting a country music career and this was seen as an attempt to create tabloid drama to see Simpson's new country music. Simpson received heated criticism from PETA. They issued a t-shirt that said "Only Stupid Girls Eat Meat". Pamela Anderson also commented by making a vulgar comment about Simpson.

Personal life

Simpson in 2001

Simpson attended Richardson, Texas public schools, including Richardson North Junior High and J.J. Pearce High School.^[16][17]

On October 26, 2002, at age 22, Simpson married Nick Lachey. She famously announced she had remained a virgin until her marriage. In November 2005, after months of tabloid speculation, Simpson and Lachey announced they were separating. Simpson filed for divorce on December 16, 2005, citing "irreconcilable differences." The couple's divorce was publicized worldwide and was reportedly finalized on June 30.

Simpson reportedly told Jane magazine in October 2006 that she knew her marriage to Lachey was over when he refused to join her on a charity trip to Africa, even though it was on their third wedding anniversary.^[18] Questions remain over whether the trip was to celebrate the anniversary, or a PR junket guided by her father/manager, who accompanied her on that day.

The couple reportedly sold their Calabasas, California mansion in which Newlyweds was filmed to Malcolm in the Middle star Justin Berfield for $3.75 million.

Simpson received increased publicity following her divorce, reportedly having romances with her Employee of the Month co-star Dane Cook and Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine. On February 6, 2007, the Associated Press reported that Simpson said she was stung when her ex-husband jumped back into dating after their high-profile breakup. "Oh, it hurt me," the 26-year-old singer-actress says in an interview in the March issue of Elle. "Two or three weeks later? Yeah, I'd say it kind of hurt me."^[19][20] Magazines have also speculated that she was jealous of her ex-husband's growing stardom and relationship with television personality Vanessa Minnillo, though she has publicly denied this.

Simpson dated John Mayer for over nine months.^[21] Dating rumors started in August 2006 with a People magazine article, but kicked into high gear when Simpson and Mayer spent New Year's holiday together in New York City, both attending Christina Aguilera's New Years Eve 2006 party.^[22] Reports indicated that the two were publicly very affectionate. In the March 2007 issue of Elle, Simpson said that in her private life she is "begging and pleading for privacy," but the interviewer did notice emails, videos, and photos of Mayer on Simpson's laptop.^[20] The two were spotted kissing and hugging at a 2007 Grammy Awards after-party, and posed for photos.^[23] Simpson also accompanied Mayer for several dates of his 2007 winter tour, before the two departed for Rome.^[24][25][26]

On August 17, 2007 Jessica broke her nose while on the set of her new film Major Movie Star She was running with a gun over her head and tripped and fell.^[27][28]

In November, 2007, Simpson began dating Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo. They celebrated Thanksgiving together at Simpson's grandparents' home in Waco Texas.^[29] The relationship has come under scrutiny recently when she was blamed for Romo's poor football performances as exemplified by a December game in which the Cowboys lost to the Philadelphia Eagles.^[30] Some of the Cowboy's fans have given her the nickname Yoko Romo in comparison to Yoko Ono who many Beatles fans blame for "ruining" John Lennon. This is further fueled when the Cowboys lost to the Giants in the divisional playoffs, when Romo & Simpson went on a trip during the Wild Card game bye week. FOX broadcaster Terry Bradshaw called into question Simpson and Romo vacationing in Mexico.

"If only Tony had called me and said, 'Terry, Jessica [Simpson] and I are going to go to Mexico,' I would've told him: 'You crazy? Don't do that! The paparazzi is going to find you, man. You're a star. She's a star. It's just going to happen,' " Bradshaw said in an interview with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.^[31]

In October 2007, news outlets reported that Simpson was planning to move to Nashville, Tenn. She had secured a recording deal with the Nashville division of Columbia Records, a SonyBMG label.^[32] In late March 2008, Nashville sources speculated that Simpson was the buyer of a $3.5 million home in a gated community in Nashville.^[33] That rumor turned out to be false, however, as the buyers were actually Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban.^[34] On May 28, 2008 Simpson's sister Ashlee Wentz (now known professionally as Ashlee Simpson-Wentz) and brother-in-law Pete Wentz announced that they are expecting their first child,^[35] which will make Simpson an aunt for the first time.

Philanthropy

Simpson is Operation Smile’s International Youth Ambassador.^[36] In March 2007 Simpson donated a new Chrysler minivan to the Elim orphanage in Nuevo Laredo. Simpson had won a Chrysler Crossfire sports car at the 2006 MTV awards, but exchanged the $50,000 luxury car for a minivan so she could help the orphanage.^[37] She had first visited the orphanage as a child as part of her youth group mission. She has also mentioned that she has plans to adopt.^[38][39]

Discography

Main article: Jessica Simpson discography

• 1994: Jessica
• 1999: Sweet Kisses
• 2001: Irresistible
• 2002: This Is the Remix
• 2003: In This Skin
• 2004: Rejoyce: The Christmas Album
• 2006: A Public Affair
• 2008: Do You Know^[40]

Tours

• Heat It Up Tour (2000)
• MTV TRL Tour - selected dates prior to her headlining tour (2001)
• DreamChaser Tour (2001)
• Reality Tour Live (2004)
• Tour of Duty (2005)

Filmography

Television

• 2002-2003: That 70s Show as Annette
• 2003: The Twilight Zone as Miranda Evans
• 2004: The Nick & Jessica Variety Hour as Herself
• 2004: Jessica as Jessica Sampson
• 2003-2005: Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica as Herself

References

External links

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to:

Jessica Simpson

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Jessica Simpson

• Jessica Simpson's Official Website
• Jessica's Myspace
• Jessica Simpson at the Internet Movie Database
• Jessica Simpson at People.com
• Jessica Simpson profile at TV.com
• "Who Wants to be a Simpson," The New York Times, 10/3/04
• Jessica Simpson's Gallery at ArticleZines.com