Ashlee Simpson and her rocker boyfriend Pete Wentz are engaged.

“We know there has been a lot of speculation recently about Pete and I, and we wanted our fans to be the first to know, because you guys are the best,” Simpson said in a statement posted Wednesday on People magazine’s Web site. “Yes, we are thrilled to share that we are happily engaged.”

Simpson’s manager-father, Joe Simpson, told the magazine he’s “totally happy” and “so excited to have Pete as part of (our) family.”

The couple began dating in fall 2006, according to People.

Wentz, 28, is bassist for Fall Out Boy. Simpson, 23, a singer, songwriter and actress, is the younger sister of pop star Jessica Simpson. Ashlee Simpson’s new album, “Bittersweet World,” is set for release on April 22.

A phone message left Wednesday for Joe Simpson by The Associated Press was not immediately returned.

Ashlee Simpson has come a long way since being a style wallflower in the shadow of older sister Jessica. “I used to look at a beautiful girl on the cover of a magazine and think I could never be that,” the 23-year-old singer tells Us Weekly in its latest issue, on newsstands now.

But Simpson – who has churned through countless haircuts and colors over her six years of stardom – has graced recent covers of Cosmopolitan, CosmoGirl! and Seventeen. Now she’s the cover girl on Us’ 2008 Beauty Makeover Special issue, which includes 30 pages of bonus makeovers, tips, and star style.

“I definitely embrace my sexy side, but at the end of the day, I still feel like the girl next door,” she tells Us. “I like to get dressed up now, and that’s something I’ve never been into before.” Simpson also opens up to Us about her April 2006 rhinoplasty. “I think as long as people have two eyes, then you probably know the answer,” she says.

“[Plastic surgery] is something that everybody should think about for a really long time,” she tells Us. “Once you know it’s something you really feel comfortable with, then to each their own.” Still, the singer downplays her own transformation. “I was never really unhappy with how I looked, [and] I don’t think I am more beautiful than I was [before],” Simpson tells Us. “I just see the same old goofy girl I see every day.”

This past weekend held a busy Saturday for Jessica Simpson, as the With You singer ended the day aboard a flight headed to the Middle East.

After the signing, the Dukes of Hazzard babe made her way to the airport, heading for her heavily publicized appearance in support of the troops based in Kuwait, where she will entertain America’s servicemen and women. For the past few months, Jess has also been hard at work on her new country album.

On her fan website, Jessica wrote: “Hey ya’ll. I just wanted to say hi, and let you know that I am hard at work on my country record, and I can’t wait to share it will all of you. I am heading to Kuwait to do a show for the troops, then back in the studio. I love you all and am so blessed by the support and love you show me everyday!! xoxo jess.”

Jessica will be joined in the Middle East by the Dolls, the band Disturbed and comic Carlos Mencia, with a source telling, “Jessica will be roughing it, with no special treatment.” (I can’t wait to get pics from this trip to Kuwait!)

That’s the latest on Jess - enjoy the photos!

From the NY Post:

Jessica Simpson does not want you to know how she fit into her Daisy Dukes. In 2005, during a lull in her career, Simpson starred in a workout tape produced by Speedfit, a fitness video company. Although she signed a multimillion-dollar contract, she later changed her mind and prevented the video from being released by not giving final approval.

Speedfit owner Alex Astilean sued Simpson last year for $10 million - and since she’s refused to settle, Astilean’s now suing her manager dad, Joe, as well. Astilean said, “They are hurting millions of fat people in America.” Simpson’s rep said, “It’s a legal matter that’s in the hands of attorneys.”

For Jessica Simpson, Valentine’s Day was spent Texas-style: The singer and beau Tony Romo dined together at Nove Italiano restaurant in Dallas.

“All eyes were on them,” one insider says of the singer and the Dallas Cowboys quarterback. “But they sat in a corner booth to try and get some privacy.”

Simpson was wearing a sexy crimson dress, and the pair were seen being very affectionate with each other. The couple kick-started their romantic meal with a bottle of Cristal champagne, followed by spaghetti bolognaise.

As for dessert, the sweet of the day was on the menu, of course: Simpson and Romo cozily shared chocolate-covered strawberries along with chocolate mousse before heading out through the restaurant’s special VIP exit (also known as the kitchen), where they darted off in a waiting limo.

They look cute together, and that’s all I have to say. This is one of the few pictures of Tony Romo where I actually think he looks attractive. But that’s just me.

In other news, I really like Jess’ cute blue patterned cover-up, and it looks like she has on a ruffly bikini top underneath. I wish I could see it better. It may be this one in red, which is from Jessica’s own swimwear line. If it is, I’m impressed that Jessica is wearing it instead of Valentino. Wait: Does Valentino make swimwear? In any case, I have to give Jess props for promoting her own line.

The couple stayed at the Ihilani Spa and Resort, a Marriott property located in Oahu.

I suppose this trip dispels the rumors that the two are headed for Splitsville anytime soon – who takes a vacation with an ex when they can be trolling for their next, ah, prey? No, prey is too severe. Hunk of meat? Yeah, that’ll do just fine.

In any case, I hope the trip gave the pair some time to relax and to escape from the negative press they’ve been receiving lately. But SimpsonWatch.com wants to know: what about that rumor that Jess would show up to the Grammy’s as John Mayer’s date? Did you hear about that, too? Scandalous!

(Endnote: check out the cute cowboy hat that Jess wore in the airport on her return flight to the mainland! Country looks good on her!)

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Papa Joe Simpson is ticked off that he’s being accused of tipping off the paparazzi that his daughter was off in Cabo with Tony Romo the week before his big game.

But a source says everybody knows Joe makes deals with the paparazzi so that the family gets a cut for the sales of any good photos.

The source says, “Nobody would have known that Tony was down in Mexico with Jessica if there hadn’t been those pictures everywhere. So a lot of people suspect he tipped off the photographers, causing Tony this huge headache. But, when you date Jessica, you date Joe, too.”

Meantime, John Mayer is defending his former girlfriend, blogging that it’s not fair that the state of Texas has turned on their fair-haired daughter. He says, “That girl loves Texas more than you know…So please don’t try and take that away from her.”

Things are so bad for Jess that she’s even beefed up security.

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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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Anyway, the most recent report about the two follows them on a romantic getaway to Mexico.

Talk about one way to relax before the playoffs.

They jetted off to Los Cabos, Mexico, on Friday night for a poolside vacation with some of Romo’s teammates – and Jessica’s parents. (HELLO, AWKWARD.)

The two – enjoying a post-New Year’s respite before Romo’s playoff game against the New York Giants next weekend – did opt for some extra privacy, though, staying at a house in a gated community with their own chef.

Jessica and Tony have certainly gotten cozier in the past few months. They spent the recent holidays together in Dallas and even showed some late-night PDA while partying at Hollywood club Teddy’s in December. They’ve also introduced each other to close friends.

So now that it looks like his teammates have warmed up to Simpson, what do her friends think?

Scrubs star Donald Faison, who’s dating Jessica’s childhood pal and ex-personal assistant, CaCee Cobb, calls Romo “a great guy.”

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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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