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Ashlee Nicole Simpson (born October 3 , 1984 ) is an American Pop Rock Singer , Songwriter , and Actress , and younger sister of pop singer Jessica Simpson . Simpson rose to prominence in mid-2004 through the success of her number-one Debut Album '' Autobiography '' and the accompanying Reality Series '' The Ashlee Simpson Show ''. Simpson received widespread criticism when she Used A Pre-recorded Vocal Track on '' Saturday Night Live '' in October 2004 . Following a North American Concert Tour and a film appearance, Simpson released a second number-one album, '' I Am Me '', in late 2005 . EARLY LIFE Simpson was born in Waco , Texas , and raised in Dallas . She is the daughter of Joe Truett Simpson (a former Baptist youth minister who is now her Manager ) and Tina Ann Drew (a former Sunday School teacher who Homeschooled Ashlee). Ashlee attended Prairie Creek Elementary.http://www.dotspotter.com/celebrities/Ashlee_Simpson retrieved 2007-07-26 An accomplished dancer, Simpson began studying classical landed a record deal, the Simpson family decided to move to Los Angeles , California , where Ashlee began appearing in Television Commercial s.Janelle Brown, "Ashlee Simpson", '' Seventeen '', November 2004, pages 86–89. CAREER Early years When Jessica became a star after releasing her first album, Ashlee became one of her backup dancers. Later, Ashlee began appearing in films and television series, including an episode of the sitcom '' Malcolm In The Middle '' in 2001 , a minor role in the 2002 Film '' The Hot Chick '' and a recurring role, 39 episodes from 2002 - 2004 , on the family drama series '' 7th Heaven ''.http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1249883/ IMDB, retrieved 2007-07-26 In the summer of 2003 , Ashlee recorded a song titled "Just Let Me Cry" for the Soundtrack of the film '' Freaky Friday ''. Eventually, Simpson signed a record deal with Geffen Records . Debut album and reality television (2004) Simpson's first album, ''Autobiography'', debuted at number one in the U.S. in '' magazine's Peter Relic characterised ''Autobiography'' as a "mundane melange of Avril -ish brat pop and Sheryl Crow cod rock".2 E! Online wrote "Even if it doesn't wow you, Autobiography may surprise you."3 The Single that preceded the album, " Pieces Of Me ," was one of the biggest hits of the summer in the U.S. and sold well elsewhere. However, the follow-up singles " Shadow " and " La La " were less successful. Simpson occasionally appeared on '''', a reality show about the married life of Jessica and her then-husband Nick Lachey . To accompany the beginning of her own music career, she got her own MTV reality show entitled '' The Ashlee Simpson Show '', which aired in a subsequent time slot to ''Newlyweds''. It ran in the U.S. for eight weekly episodes over the summer of 2004 , and a second season of ten episodes aired from January to March 2005 . The show dealt with the process of writing, recording, and performing Simpson's music as well as aspects of her personal life. When appearing for live performances, Simpson performs live with a backing band consisting of Ray Brady (guitar), Braxton Olita (guitar), Joey Kaimana (bass guitar—from 2004 to 2005 Zach Kennedy filled this role), Chris Megert (keyboards and vocals—from late 2004 to 2005 Lucy Walsh filled this role), and Chris Fox (drums). In addition to her own first album, Simpson sang "Christmas Past, Present, and Future" on the '', which they had sung together during the ABC Variety Hour special ''Nick & Jessica's Family Christmas''.45 At the '''' along with Regis Philbin (in Dick Clark 's absence) at the end of the year, hosting the West Coast portion of the show and performing three songs. The ''Saturday Night Live'' incident Simpson appeared as a musical guest on Episode 568 of '' Saturday Night Live '' ( October 23 – 24 , 2004 ), and as is customary for the show's format, she was scheduled to perform two songs. Her first song, "Pieces of Me", was performed without problems. However, when she began her second song, "Autobiography", the vocals for the song "Pieces of Me" were heard again—before she had raised the microphone to her mouth. Simpson began to dance and then left the stage, while the band (not a recording) continued playing. During the closing of the show Simpson appeared with the guest host Jude Law stating that her band performed the wrong song in the opening on the performance and commenting that she thought she'd "do a Hoedown " following the musical number. MSNBC gossip columnist Jeannette Walls compared the incident to the 1989 Milli Vanilli incident in which their guide track skipped during a live MTV performance, revealing that they were lip-synching.6 On October 25 , Simpson called in to the Music Video show '' Total Request Live '' and explained that due to complications arising from a "severe" variation of Acid Reflux (which had previously been seen in '' The Ashlee Simpson Show '') she had completely lost her voice and her doctor had advised her not to sing. She claimed that because of the acid reflux, her father required her to use a Guide Track for the performance. She said of the incident, "I made a complete fool of myself." According to Simpson, the drummer hit the wrong button, which caused the wrong track to be played.7 During the October 25 Radio Music Awards broadcast, Simpson pretended, as a joke, to make the same mistake as she did in the ''SNL'' incident, but then began to perform "Autobiography" without using a pre-recorded vocal track as she had done during the prior ''SNL'' performance. On October 31 , the CBS news program '' 60 Minutes '' aired footage from Simpson's rehearsals before the ''SNL'' performance in which Simpson is shown to be disturbed by voice trouble. Orange Bowl performance and first tour (early 2005) On January 4 , 2005 , Simpson performed "La La" at the halftime show for the Orange Bowl in Miami , Florida ; after her performance, many of the 72,000-plus spectators Booed . Representatives for the Orange Bowl stated that they were pleased with her performance and felt that it was a belated reaction to the ''SNL'' incident, while others have speculated that it may have been because the audience of the Orange Bowl was outside of Simpson's target age bracket. Still others disagree ( Kelly Clarkson had performed before Simpson in the show to a far more positive reaction), and assert that Simpson's performance was poor and very off-key.891011 Following her Orange Bowl performance, an '' magazine chose Simpson to be on the cover of the February 2005 issue, naming her the "Fun Fearless Female of the Year". Simpson's first U.S. headlining tour (with two dates in Canada as well) ran from mid-February to late April 2005 , and its opening acts were Pepper's Ghost and The Click Five .14 In addition to material from ''Autobiography'', Simpson performed her own unreleased song "Hollywood", The Pretenders ' " Brass In Pocket ", Blondie 's " Call Me ", and Madonna 's " Burning Up ". She said that the tour would be "stripped down", without Pyrotechnics , and that "it's going to be me and my band getting out there and having fun".15 In March 2005 , Simpson said that ''The Ashlee Simpson Show'' would conclude at the end of its second season,16 the last episode of which aired at the end of the month. Film, second album, and theater (2005–2006) Simpson had a supporting role as an aspiring actress named Clea in '' Undiscovered '' (originally titled ''Wannabe''), an Independent Film that was released in theaters in August 2005 . Simpson filmed her scenes in late 2004 . While Simpson's performance was met with acceptable reviews,1718 the film itself was trashed by critics19 and placed outside of the top ten in its opening weekend,20 earning just $676,048. Her performance in the film earned her a Razzie nomination for Worst Supporting Actress. Simpson's second album, ''", became a top twenty hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and performed similarly elsewhere. The second single, " L.O.V.E. ", reached the U.S. top twenty-five, its success aided by a remix by R&B/hip-hop producer Missy Elliott and MTV 's heavy rotation of the single's Music Video (it has been her most successful video to date on '' Total Request Live ''). Simpson began a concert tour in late September in Portland , Oregon and appeared on the October 8 , 2005 episode of ''SNL'' to promote the album. The first of Simpson's two performances on the show was of the ballad "Catch Me When I Fall", which was written about her previous ''SNL'' experience, and she thanked the crowd after her second performance. In mid-December, Simpson collapsed after performing in Japan , possibly due to exhaustion. She was briefly hospitalized, and consequently cancelled an appearance at the Radio Music Awards .22 Simpson and her sister Jessica were scheduled to appear in '' Rolling Stone '' magazine in a shoot shot by photographer David LaChapelle in 2005. Upon hearing the concept, both sisters were said to be uncomfortable with LaChapelle's raunchy ideas and cancelled, outraging the photographer. He ranted to the press in early 2006, calling them "everything that's wrong with music." Furthering his statement, LaChapelle said he was just trying to "make the Simpsons look cool. I realize now that is an impossible task." LaChapelle planned to have the sisters "down and dirty" and appearing with snakes. "LACHAPELLE SLAMS SIMPSON SISTERS" , contactmusic.com, February 13, 2006. Simpson appeared on the December 2005/January 2006 cover of '''' magazine's January 2006 edition, the March 2006 issues of '' Seventeen '' and '' ELLE '', the April 2006 issue of '' JANE '', the June/July 2006 issue of ''Teen People'' (in which she was named one of its "25 hottest stars under twenty-five"), the July 2006 issue of '' Marie Claire '' and the September 2006 issue of ''CosmoGirl''. Simpson won a ", was released in mid-2006 and reached the top 25 on the Billboard Hot 100. Initially it was said that the song would appear on a re-released version of ''I Am Me'', but this never occurred. Simpson began a summer tour on June 5 , 2006 with Ashley Parker Angel as an opening act;24 initially The Veronicas also opened but quit the tour after the first few shows due to a problem with one of their singers' vocal cords.Sire Records press release, "The Veronicas' North American Summer Tour Cancelled" , Market Wire, June 13, 2006. Simpson said that after this tour, which ended in late July, she would be going on vacation, that she would take her time making her third album, and that she would look at movie scripts and continue her acting career.Jennifer Vineyard, "Ashlee Simpson Hosts Pajama Party, Says She Needs Rest" , MTV News, July 20, 2006. Simpson played the role of ''Roxie Hart'' in the London stage production of '' Chicago '' to rave reviews, from September 25 to October 28 2006 . "Pop Singer Ashlee Simpson to Play Chicago's Roxie in London" , Broadway.com, September 14, 2006. One reviewer called Simpson's performance in the show "dazzling and near flawless".Peter Law, "Ashlee Simpson 'rox' the West End" , thisislocallondon.co.uk, September 28, 2006. Third album In November 2006 , Simpson said that she was going to meet with record executives soon and begin working on her third album. Simpson also stated that she would like to work with Robert Smith from The Cure , who attended her last performance as Roxie Hart in the musical "Chicago". "For The Record: Quick News On Michael Jackson, Beyonce, Chris Brown, Ashlee, Cure, Clipse, Nicky Hilton & More" , MTV News, November 15, 2006. Producer Ron Fair said in December 2006 that working on Simpson's next album would be "very tricky" because of press scrutiny and "prejudices", but that Geffen would work with her to overcome that, "because she deserves to be heard and she deserves a shot." "or The Record: Quick News On Gwen, Good Charlotte, Christina, Katharine McPhee, Ashlee, Rihanna & More" , MTV News, December 6, 2006. On January 17 , 2007 , Simpson sent out a message to her fans, saying "I am starting to write and record a new album which I am so excited about", and "I have a good feeling about 2007, and I can't wait for you guys to hear my new album later on this year". On February 1 , 2007 , MTV's ''TRL'' spoke about Simpson's new music, saying such top artists as Tom Petty , Pharrell Williams , Linda Perry , India.Arie , and Will.i.am want to help Simpson with her third album. On March 6 , 2007 MTV reported that Simpson's next album would have "a more soulful sound" and was planned for release in October 2007 . Simpson said she was writing with many different people. "For The Record: Quick News On Mariah, Jennifer Hudson, Jay-Z, Ashlee, K-Fed, Lily Allen, Chili Peppers & More" , MTV News, March 6, 2007. On March 22 , 2007 EW.com reported that Joe Simpson revealed she had been writing with Kenna and Chad Hugo . She also is said to be working with Timbaland , John Legend , and Tim Rice-Oxley , who worked with Gwen Stefani on a song from her album '' The Sweet Escape ''. Simpson was also reportedly working on a collaboration with The Cure's frontman, Robert Smith,Leah Greenblatt, "Ashlee Finds the Cure?" , EW.com, March 22, 2007. although in July Smith said that he had not worked with her and did not think it was likely that he would do so in 2007; he did, however, give a positive appraisal of Simpson's 2006 performance in ''Chicago''. "Jessica Simpson Says Ashlee Is A Thriftier Shopper; Plus 50 Cent, Kelly Clarkson, Ne-Yo, Lindsay Lohan & More, In For The Record" , MTV News, July 20, 2007. In an April 2007 issue of ''US Magazine'', Simpson was quoted as saying the album would have a more "mature" sound, yet still remain "rock." In the June 2007 issue of ''Cosmopolitan'', she said that as she was becoming more mature, her music was changing, and that the new album would have less focus on relationship trouble and breakups.Shawna Malcom, "Girl on Fire", ''Cosmopolitan'', June 2007. In May 2007 , the official website of Kara DioGuardi revealed that Kara would again be working with Simpson.Kara DioGuardi, {Link without Title} , KaraDioGuardi.com, May 2007. In June 2007 , Simpson revealed to E! News that her album will have fun, dance songs, as well as break-up songs. She was also quoted as saying: "Who knows!? Maybe I'll fall in love on this record!" \E! News, {Link without Title} , Youtube.com, June 2007. In late June 2007 , it was revealed that Simpson was working with Pop/R&B producer Sean Garrett .Gail Mitchell, "Garrett Says His Britney Collab Is 'Out Of Control'" , Billboard.com, June 29, 2007. In July 2007 Simpson revealed to '' InStyle '' that the album would show her spiritual side. "I come from a spiritual background, so there are a few songs about my journey with that. But there are also some fun dance songs as well. And I always come from, like, a 'woman empowerment' kind of place, so there are still those songs too. But for the first time you will hear the side of me that is a spiritual person."James Patrick Herman, "Beauty and the Beach" , PartyHopper blog (instyle.com), July 3, 2007. During a interview for extraTV Ashlee confirmed that she will be working with Timbaland, Kenna and Chad Hugo on her album.ExtraTV, {Link without Title} , extratv.com, August 2007. Simpson's website has been updated recently, and now shows an image with the words "NEW ALBUM COMING NOV 2007." ARTISTRY Voice Ashlee Simpson's vocal capabilities have been both praised and ridiculed by critics and the general public alike. Simpson cites her childhood as being the time when she began to sing, and admits that she dreamed of being on Broadway and didn't expect to break into the pop music scene. "Ashlee Simpson AOL Music Exclusive Interview" , AOL Music, October 2005. Simpson's voice is described as being a Lyric , Pat Benatar , and Chrissy Hynde as musical influences. Ashlee Simpson Ticketmaster Exclusive Interview , Ticketmaster.com. IMAGE AND PERSONAL LIFE When she first broke onto the scene, Simpson had a decidedly different image from that of her sister. Previously Blonde like Jessica, she dyed her hair dark during the recording of the MTV reality show after she finished filming for the ''7th Heaven'' television series, although after a year with dark hair she returned to blonde in 2005 . Simpson's songs also have rock elements absent from her sister's music, and, particularly during the time of her initial stardom, Simpson would often wear shirts with the type of designs that are described as " Punk "-style, sometimes emblazoned with band names. Her fingernails and toenails are often painted black, and she has several Tattoos : a star on one wrist, two cherries on her ankle, the word "love" on her other wrist,Jennifer Schonborn, "Pieces of Ashlee" , MTV News. Retrieved August 27, 2005.25 and the number "3" added to one wrist in 2007.Holly Eagleson, "Ashlee", ''Seventeen'', September 2007, pages 196–199.Simpson has changed her style significantly over time; she now is often seen favoring girlier, "preppier" looks. She has also been seen sporting long blond hair extensions. Simpson and her sister were tied for third on oft-quoted celebrity-fashion critic Mr. Blackwell 's list of the worst-dressed celebrities of 2004 . Blackwell quipped that "from gaudy to grim to downright frenetic these two prove that bad taste is positively genetic." She has refused to discuss her sex life, in contrast with her sister, who openly stated her intention to practice Sexual Abstinence until Marriage . "I decided that I didn't want to talk about that because it's super personal," Simpson said of the situation.Patty Adams, "The Sister Who Rocks", '' YM '', September 2004 , pages 112–117. Simpson's relationship with actor Josh Henderson lasted for nearly two years and was shown ending in the first episode of ''The Ashlee Simpson Show''. Soon after, she began dating fellow musician Ryan Cabrera . That relationship was also featured on the show, and Simpson appeared as Cabrera's love interest in the Music Video for his song "On the Way Down." The two were reported to have split in August 2004 due to their hectic schedules, but they resumed their relationship for a while afterward, before ending it again in early 2005 . Simpson said afterward that they were still friends, although rumors suggested that Simpson did not like the fact that Ryan had moved on to Lisa Origliasso of The Veronicas . In 2005 , rumors began circulating that Simpson had stolen Wilmer Valderrama from Lindsay Lohan . Simpson's single "Boyfriend" was reported to be about the situation, but she said that the song "is about {Link without Title} every girl out there sometimes thinks you stole her boyfriend. It's just making fun of that."26 Valderrama has since said on Howard Stern 's radio program that he did have sex with Simpson, but claimed the incident was unrelated to his break-up with Lohan. Later that year, rumours arose that Simpson was secretly dating another Joe Simpson-managed actor, '' Viva La Bam '' In November 2005 , '' ETalk Daily '' broadcast a video of a late-night visit made by Simpson to a McDonald's fast-food restaurant in Toronto, Canada. Simpson appeared to be intoxicated in the video, and was shown arguing with a member of the staff, as well as rejecting a customer's attempt to get an autograph from her because he wouldn't kiss her feet. According to Simpson in a 2006 '' ELLE '' interview, she was "a little Tipsy ", and the customer had first called her "gross" before he had realized who she was, at which point he asked her for an autograph. She has said that she told herself to "grow up" after the incident. In February 2006 , Simpson was honored by MTV's '' Total Request Live '' (''TRL''), as the "Bounce-Back" artist. The award was given to her for being able to recover from her many ups and downs of her career, and still manage to release another #1 platinum album. Simpson reportedly had a '', she said that she was not insecure about her appearance and had not been beforehand. She said that plastic surgery was a "personal choice" that one should only decide to do for oneself and not for others.Jenny Hontz, ''Harper's Bazaar'', May 2007. In June 2006, it was reported that Simpson seriously considered "Ashlee Simpson to Pose for Playboy?" , Contactmusic.com, June 27, 2006. but later turned down a $4 million offer to pose nude for Playboy. "Simpson Snubs Chance to Pose for Playboy" , Contactmusic.com, June 28, 2006. In early September 2006 , ''Us Weekly'' reported that Simpson and Braxton Olita had split up. Simpson's rep said that the couple "broke up about a week ago. They have decided to take a break." Simpson has often been seen with Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz in late 2006 and 2007, and despite their initial denials, there was much speculation that they were in a relationship. In an interview for '' OK! '' magazine in late 2006 she denied this,''OK!'', November 6, 2006. while in an interview with Pete Wentz on Ryan Seacrest's American Top 40 live, Seacrest asked if Wentz and Simpson were "on" or "off", and Wentz laughed and said "off". In a '' Rolling Stone '' photo shoot, however, Wentz and Simpson took a picture together for the opening of Wentz' bar, Angels & Kings, and were labeled as a "couple". Eventually the two began to acknowledge the relationship. In mid-2007 Wentz spoke about their relationship to ''InTouch'' magazine, saying of Simpson that "I have never met somebody who makes me feel the way she makes me feel", although he denied rumors that the two are engaged. "WENTZ GUSHES ABOUT SIMPSON" , Contactmusic.com, July 19, 2007. Their relationship was also discussed in an interview with Simpson in the September 2007 issue of ''Seventeen'' magazine. Simpson was ranked as one of the "Hottest Women in Pop/R&B" by ''Blender'' Magazine in January 2007.28 In the June 2007 edition of ''Cosmopolitan'' , Simpson said that she hasn't lip synched since her ''Saturday Night Live'' incident, that she has "a little crush on Christian Slater ", feels sexiest in bed, and that you can and can't have a good relationship without amazing sex. She also described herself as single. Simpson was voted number 16 in '' Maxim '' AWARDS WON VIDEOS FEATURED ON ''TRL'' - The following videos have charted on MTV 's '' Total Request Live '' (TRL) program: DISCOGRAPHY See Also: Ashlee Simpson discography Albums
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