Simpson Watch

In case you haven’t already heard the news, Jessica Simpson is planning on releasing her first country music album this year to jumpstart her stalled singing career.

CMT reports that she is working with Nashville songwriters and hopes to emulate the work of female country notables including Martina McBride, Shania Twain, Faith Hill and Reba McEntire. According to People, she hopes to write at least a few of the songs on the album herself saying:

“Writing is a release for me… It’s a way for me to tell my story. That’s not to say I wouldn’t record a song that I didn’t write. It’s just that it has been a while since I have opened the book.”

This is certainly a big departure from her early career as a pop star. Do you think she can pull off country?

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Timbaland can fix anything, right? That’s what Ashlee Simpson is counting on.

Lots of positive buzz about her new song “Out Of My Head” which has been blessed with the Timbaland touch and she could really use the career boost.

Her 2004 debut album debuted at number one and sold over 2.5 million copies.

Her follow-up in 2006 failed to live up to the first one, selling less than half that amount. Ashlee’s third effort will be released in March.

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Ashlee’s new song, Outta Here, will be hitting the radio waves soon. Check out a preview of it HERE.

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Ashlee Simpson recently did a photo shoot — not for a magazine, but for her upcoming album — and WOW! These photos turned out incredible. I’ve put them in order, from my favorite to my least favorite, though I have to admit that even my least favorite is pretty good.

I’m not sure how much these were photo-shopped, but I’d love to see the “before” shots to compare them. Photoshop is a lifesaver for that kind of thing.

My favorite photo is the one posted above – I love the warm, golden tones of Ashlee’s skin and hair, the metallic texture of the background and the stark black polo. Ashlee skin looks flawless in this photo! LOVE! (more…)

Yes, Ashlee Simpson has an alter ego, Vicky Valentine, and I’m curious to know (a) how long Vicky has existed and (b) how Ashlee came up with the name. It kind of sounds like a porn star’s name, doesn’t it? Or at least a stripper.

Ashlee says about Vicky: “You will know when Vicky is in the room” (presumably because Vicky is wild and crazy). I guess it’s really Vicky Valentine that has been dating Pete Wentz, then? Ashlee has been hard at work on her latest album, which due out in November. Read more about the album: (more…)

Now that Jessica has finished filming “Major Movie Star”, she’s got more time for the important things in life. Well, important to her, anyway.

She’s been seen lunching with her sister, showing off her Valentino bag and (lest your forget her origins) singing! I can’t confirm the rumor, but I hear that she’s working on a country album. With Willie Nelson. In Nashville. (more…)

Continuing the 17 Things tradition about Ashlee Simpson…

ASHLEE CONFESSES: I’m a huge fan of female singers like Etta James and Courtney Love.

Read more. (more…)

In Style’s July issue (on sale Friday, June 22) features a music portfolio with seven of the hottest stars in the music industry, including Ashlee Simpson, talking about what inspires their music.

Actress turned chart-topping singer Ashlee Simpson, who is recording her third album due out this fall, tells In Style that she is inspired by the beach. Simpson says, “Being by the water makes me feel so peaceful. Before I head into the studio, that’s where I go to clear my head and write. I wear flip-flops and no makeup. I just take my journal and chill.” Simpson’s favorite songs include music by The Beatles, Steel Pulse, Patty Griffin, Bob Marley & the Wailers, and The Cure.

Watch her on camera interview and shoot now.

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TMZ reported:

Ever wonder what’s going on in John Mayer’s big ol’ head? As a part of the Live Earth “concert series for a climate in crisis,” Mayer’s been blogging his thoughts on climate change.

Here’s what Mayer wrote about the event a couple of days ago:

“I hope that for all the cynicism that’s existed around this subject, we can all uncross our arms long enough to give this event a chance to impact the world in the way that I’m beginning to feel that it could. Now isn’t the time to dissect the rights and wrongs. (If you’re hoping Live Earth doesn’t work, you have a lot of soul-searching to do.)

With this kind of lineup, there’s no cause or crisis that wouldn’t be positively affected by an event of this scope. Live Earth isn’t a show - it’s a showing, a presentation of an idea. Artists like us don’t just get together to each play 20 minute sets every weekend, you know. We’re also usually pretty sensitive about the order in which we take the stage, and I’ve got no problems with my 5:12 PM set time. The Police, Bon Jovi, Alicia Keys, Kanye West, and yes, myself and my dumb face are all openers for the true headliner - the power to literally change the world’s mind.”

So inspirational! Wonder what John’s ex, Jessica Simpson, thinks about Mayer’s do-good-ing green scene?

Source

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Last I heard, Ashlee was promoting those sassy little shoes made by Sketchers. But Ashlee is the celebrity face behind another brand, too: Stride Gum^®. Stride Gum’s slogan is “The Ridiculously Long Lasting Gum,” and with that tagline in mind, it paid Ashlee to promote the brand on the longest day of the year (the summer solstice).

Is it just me, or are times reealllyyyyyy hard in LA right now? Seems like a lot of music and film artists are using their talent less and acting as a spokesman more. (I do like her dress, though.)

Click thumbnails for full-size images.

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Jess and Ashlee have been flying under the radar a lot lately, which makes reporting on their whereabouts a little difficult. To that, I say: Good for them. It’s healthy to have a bit of privacy. It’s respectable, actually. In my opinion, at least.

A couple nights ago, Ashlee was working on her album at Record Planet, where she was photographed leaving the recording studio with Jess. Jessica Simpson confirmed to the press that Ashlee is, in deed, working on her new album. No word yet on its style or what types of tracks are recorded, who Ashlee is collaborating with, etc.

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Ashlee was recently photographed leaving the recording studio, where she was working on her upcoming album. Her sister, Jessica Simpson, was at the record plant with Ashlee (I suppose for moral support).

What I don’t get: how do the paparazzi know they’re there? Did they follow them in and then hunker down for the evening until the pair came out? Did they just happen by the studio and wait to see if any celebs came out? What is the deal with paparazzi being EVERYWHERE, ALL THE TIME?

A ton of pics after the jump.
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Jessica Simpson is reportedly jealous of younger sister Ashlee.

The ‘Employee of the Month’ actress is said to be unhappy her sibling’s fame is beginning to eclipse her own.

A source told Closer magazine: “Jessica finds it tough being compared with Ashlee, who’s becoming a big star and is threatening to overtake Jessica as the more successful sister.

“Jessica was always seen as the bigger star, but now Ashlee is taking over. There’s certainly a sibling rivalry between them.”

Simpson, Jessica Simpson, Jess Simpson, Ashlee, Ashlee Simpson, celebrity, celebrities, 2007

You may not have known this, but on May 12, Jessica Simpson was in Cologne, Germany. She was performing at the UNESCO Gala 2007, which was held at the gorgeous Maritim Hotel.

She looks sultry here, like maybe she’s seducing the crowd (and with that body, she could).

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Singer Jessica Simpson was photographed at the Pure Nightclub at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas this past Friday night (May 4th).

Jess was on hand to emcee a performance by the Las Vegas Pussycat Dolls at the club and to help celebrate the second anniversary of the Pussycat Dolls Lounge at Caesars.

Afterward (and during!), she partied hard with other celebs, but John Mayer was nowhere to be found.

Click the link below for lots more pics of Jess hosting the Pussycat Dolls and partying with friends!
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