On October 25, Simpson called in to the music video show Total Request Live and explained that due to complications arising from severe acid reflux disease, which had previously been seen bothering her in The Ashlee Simpson Show, she had completely lost her voice and her doctor had advised her not to sing. She said that because of the acid reflux, her father wanted her to use a vocal guide track for the performance. Simpson stated 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.[19] 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 poor voice control.[citation needed] The incident was spoofed on MADtv and in the Family Guy episode "Brian Goes Back to College." Simpson is about to start miming a song when the song changes to "Ol' Man River."[citation needed]
Jeannette Walls compared the impact of the SNL incident to the 1990 Milli Vanilli incident, in which their guide track skipped during a live MTV performance, revealing that they were lip-synching.[20]
The New York Times said the much-viewed clip of Simpson's SNL appearance "may just be this year's best music video," but dismissed its significance: "one of 2004's most popular new stars had been exposed as ... As what, exactly?"[21]
On January 4, 2005, Simpson performed "La La" at the halftime show for the 2005 Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida. After her performance, many of the 72,000-plus spectators booed. Some people noted that Kelly Clarkson had performed before Simpson in the show to a much more positive reaction, and assert that Simpson's performance was poor and very off-key.[22][23][24][25] Following her Orange Bowl performance, an internet petition at PetitionOnline.com that requested Simpson to stop producing music became one of the most active of the site's petitions.[26] Simpson later said: "That's cool. You don't always have to be a fan of everybody's music." She also cited the support she had received from her fans.[27] Around the time of the petition, Cosmopolitan magazine chose Simpson to be on the cover of the February 2005 issue, naming her the "Fun Fearless Female of the Year."[28]
Simpson's first North American tour ran from mid-February to late April 2005, and its opening acts were Pepper's Ghost and The Click Five.[29] 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 gonna be me and my band getting out there and having fun."[30] In March 2005, Simpson said that The Ashlee Simpson Show would conclude at the end of its second season,[31] the last episode of which aired at the end of the month.
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,[32][33] the film itself was trashed by critics[34] and placed outside of the top 10 in its opening weekend,[35] earning just $676,048. Her performance in the film earned her a Razzie nomination for Worst Supporting Actress.
Simpson's second album, I Am Me, was released in on October 18, 2005. Simpson said that she had wanted to incorporate the feel of music from the 1980s on the album, and that unlike her debut, it would focus less on relationships and more on herself.[31] I Am Me debuted at number one, with roughly 220,000 copies sold,[36] but sales quickly deteriorated; by April 2006, it had sold a little less than 900,000 copies in the United States and 3 million copies worldwide, according to Simpson's biography.[37][38] Its first single, "Boyfriend," became a top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and performed similarly elsewhere. The second single, "L.O.V.E.," reached the U.S. top 25; 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 canceled an appearance at the Radio Music Awards.[39]
Simpson and her sister Jessica were scheduled to appear in Rolling Stone magazine in a shoot shot by photographer David LaChapelle in 2005, but upon hearing the concept, both sisters were said to be uncomfortable with LaChapelle's raunchy ideas and canceled, 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.[40]
2006–08: Theater, Bittersweet World, pregnancy, and marriage
Simpson appeared on the December 2005/January 2006 cover of Teen People with her sister Jessica,[41] and could also be seen on the December 2005 issue of Blender,[42] Cosmopolitan 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 Kelly Slater/MTV celebrity surfing invitational competition, which also featured celebrities such as Meagan Good, Jack Osbourne (her main competitor during the competition), Ashley Parker Angel and Tony Hawk, as part of an MTV-sponsored 'Spring Break' Special in March 2006. On April 12, 2006 she hosted and performed at the MTV Australia Video Music Awards, where she won "Best Female Artist" and "Best Pop Video" (for "Boyfriend").[43] A new single, "Invisible," was released in mid-2006 and reached the top 25 on the Billboard Hot 100. Simpson began a summer tour on June 5, 2006 with Ashley Parker Angel as an opening act;[44] 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.[45]
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.[46]
Simpson played the role of Roxie Hart in the West End production of Chicago to rave reviews, from September 25 to October 28, 2006.[47] One reviewer called Simpson's performance in the show "dazzling and near flawless".[48]
In November 2006, Simpson said that she was going to meet with record executives soon and begin working on her third album.[49] During 2007, Simpson worked on the album, which was eventually given the title Bittersweet World,[50] with producers Timbaland, Kenna, and Chad Hugo.[51] She said that it would have a more "soulful" sound and more emphasis on beats than guitars.
Geffen chairman 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."[52] A March 2007 interview with EW.com suggested she was working with a variety of musicians for her new album.[53]
In October, the album's release was delayed to the first quarter of 2008.[54] The album's first single, the Timbaland-produced "Outta My Head (Ay Ya Ya)", was released as a digital download in December 2007.[55]
In an interview with Cosmogirl for its December 2007/January 2008 issue (for which she was the cover girl), Simpson said that she had a "stronger vision" for this album and that she challenged herself by "working with new sounds and new people". She described the result as a "fun party album" with a "silly and quirky" side. Regarding her future plans, she said that she wanted to take some small movie roles and eventually move into bigger roles. She also said she would like to do theater again and to someday have a clothing line.[56]
Simpson has described the album as having some influences from '80s music while still incorporating some pop/rock. She intends to go on tour to support the album.[55] Its second single, "Little Miss Obsessive", was released in March 2008.[57]
Bittersweet World was released in the U.S. on April 22, 2008. Reviews for the album were characterized as mixed.[58] A collection of tops designed by Simpson was launched by the clothing retailer Wet Seal on April 22, in connection with the album's release.[59]
Simpson began appearing in commercials for Canadian retailer Zellers to promote their independent clothing line, Request, in mid-2008.[60]
[edit] 2009–present: Melrose Place and upcoming fourth album
On March 18, 2009, Simpson-Wentz appeared alongside her husband in the crime drama series CSI: NY. She played a drug dealer named Lila Wickfield in Season 5, Episode 18, "Point of No Return". This marked Simpson-Wentz's first acting role since her stint in the 2006 West End production of Chicago.
Simpson returned to television in the acting role of Violet Foster in Melrose Place, the CW's revamp of the '90s series Melrose Place.[61] Simpson was originally signed to the show as a full-fledged cast member, but producers and CW executives changed their mind and Simpson was let go from the show after 13 episodes. Multiple rumors surfaced about her sudden departure, including feuds with cast members, lack of acting ability and financial issues. Simpson-Wentz stated that she knew all along that her character would be written out once the murder mystery storyline had concluded.[62] Her last appearance on the show aired in March 2010. It was later revealed that Simpson's departure was due to the show needing a "face lift" because of the decreasing viewing figures.[63]
It was reported on November 5, 2009, that Simpson-Wentz would reprise her role in the Broadway musical production Chicago. It was later confirmed on November 16, 2009. She began her Broadway run on November 30, 2009 and performed in New York for six weeks. She played 8 shows a week through February 7, 2010.[64]
After finishing her run in Chicago Simpson-Wentz stated in an interview that she was going to take a break to spend time with her son. She also stated that she is ready to record her fourth studio album, and has been listening to bands on her husband's record label for inspiration. She did however say she will continue acting, but wishes to play comedy roles in the future.[65] At a red carpet event, Simpson confirmed that she is back in the recording studio working on her fourth album.[66] During an interview with Paper magazine, Simpson-Wentz stated that the new album would have a “folk feel” and that she is also creating a fashion line.[67] The fashion line, which is a collaboration with her sister, Jessica Simpson, will be aimed at girls aged 7-16. She is the co-creative director of the line, which is set to be in stores by the end of 2011.[68]
On June 21, 2011, Simpson tweeted (@ashleesimpson) that she was in a meeting with the producer of her Autobiography and I Am Me albums, John Shanks, talking about her fourth LP. Two days after, on June 23, 2011, Ryan Seacrest confirmed on his radio show, On Air with Ryan Seacrest, that Simpson had indeed been having meetings with record executives to figure out the direction of her next album. He also mentioned she is hoping to release new material before the end of the year. [69]
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.[70] Simpson trains with a vocal coach, and studies old Etta James and Aretha Franklin albums for vocal inspiration.[71] In one interview, Simpson pointed to Joan Jett, The Runaways, Madonna, Pat Benatar, Chrissie Hynde, and Debbie Harry from Blondie as musical influences.[72] Simpson cited that she is a fan of several musicians and bands which include Alanis Morissette, Fiona Apple, Green Day, Björk, Joan Osborne, Karen O from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and Gwen Stefani.
When Simpson first broke onto the music scene in 2004, she was set apart from her sister's already established image by a different musical style, different fashion choices, and a more assertive personality. Simpson's songs have been characterized by rock elements absent from her sister's music, and, particularly during the time of her initial stardom, Simpson would often wear outfits highlighting a more rock or punk-influenced sense of style. Her fingernails and toenails have often been painted black. Over time, Simpson has moved toward more typically feminine styles. In March 2008, she said that "I like to get dressed up now, and that's something I've never been into before" and "I like to be feminine and sexy." According to Simpson, in her sense of style she tends to "mix and match".[73]
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. In November 2004, she debuted a shorter haircut with the same dark color. Following the end of her Autobiography tour, in early May 2005 she moved back to a blonde color;[74] she remained blonde until January 2008, when she appeared with a red hair color.[75] During her stint on Broadway, she dyed her hair black. Recently, she dyed her hair back to a bleached blonde paired with a pixie cut.[76]
She has seven tattoos,[73] including a star tattoo[77] on one wrist, two cherries on her ankle, the word "love" on her other wrist,[78][79] the number "3" added to one wrist in 2007,[80] and a large peony flower on one wrist in early March 2008.[81]
In November 2005, eTalk 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 an employee, 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.[82] She said that she told herself to "grow up" after the incident.
Simpson reportedly had a nose job in April 2006. When asked about it in an interview in May, Simpson neither confirmed nor denied it.[83] In the May 2007 issue of Harper's Bazaar, 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.[84] Joe Simpson said of the surgery in a September 2007 interview that "there was a real problem with her breathing and that was cured".[85] In March 2008, she said that "as long as people have two eyes" they could determine whether she had a nose job.[73]
Simpson married Fall Out Boy Bassist/lyricist Pete Wentz on May 17, 2008[86] in Encino, California at Simpson's parents' residence, where Ashlee's father officiated at the ceremony.
The couple announced that they were engaged on April 9, 2008.[87] Simpson had previously been wearing what she described as a "promise ring" from Wentz for several months.[87] On April 14, Us Weekly and OK! magazine reported that Simpson was pregnant. Wentz promptly denied this in an e-mail to MTV News,[88] although Simpson, in an interview the next day, chose not to confirm or deny the report, saying that it was something to "keep personal",[89][90] and on TRL she noted that rumors claiming she was pregnant had been appearing for so long that, if they were all true, she "would have had a baby by now".[90][91][92] She changed her legal name from Simpson to Wentz and wished to be known professionally as Ashlee Simpson-Wentz.[93]
On May 28, 2008, Simpson and Pete Wentz announced on Fall Out Boy's official website that they were expecting their first child.[94] "While many have speculated about this, we wanted to wait until the press was gone to have our first child. This is truly the most joyous time in our lives and we are excited to share the happy news and start our family."[95] That fall, Pete said they were "90% sure it was a boy". On November 20, 2008, Simpson gave birth to their son, Bronx Mowgli Wentz.[96]
Simpson was ranked in the Billboard Decade-End Chart at #145 of Billboard 200 artists,[97] while Autobiography was ranked at #148 on the Billboard 200 Albums.[98]
On February 9, 2011, it was announced that Simpson had filed for divorce from husband Pete Wentz, citing irreconcilable differences. In the filing she asked for joint legal custody with visitation for Wentz but sole physical custody and spousal support. She also asked that her name be restored to her birth name of Ashlee Nicole Simpson.[99]
In mid-2006, Simpson gave an interview to Marie Claire magazine, in which she was said to have "had it with Hollywood's twisted view of feminine beauty" and was photographed painting a pro-female mural with a group of underprivileged girls from Los Angeles' Green Dot Public School.[100] By the time the magazine hit newsstands, Simpson had already had her nose job, and some Marie Claire readers complained about this as being hypocritical. The magazine received over 1,000 angry letters and the magazine's new editor expanded the letters section of the September issue of the magazine to give readers a chance to vent their frustrations.[101][102]
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