
Courtesy of Universal Music
Birthdate: October 3, 1984
Birthplace: Dallas, Texas
Ashlee Simpson - Humble Beginnings
Even though she hasn't been
in the spotlight as long as her big sis Jessica, Ashlee Simpson has been preparing for a
career in entertainment since she was just a little kid. Ashlee started
studying dance when she was only four years old and, at age 11, became the youngest person ever admitted to the
School of American Ballet. It wasn't long before she was dancing professionally, and it was
Jessica who gave Ashlee her first big break. Ashlee became a part of Jessica's stage show, dancing in the background and
supporting her sister. But Ashlee was determined to break free from the shadow of her
famous sis and in 2001, she did exactly that.
Ashlee Simpson - Rising Star
In 2001, Ashlee began acting, landing small roles in
television shows and movies (she was in one episode of
Malcolm in the Middle, and even had a bit part opposite
Rob Schneider in The Hot Chick). Ashlee's big break came in 2002 when she was cast as
Simon Camden's love interest on
7th Heaven. While that role showed that Ashlee could act, it didn't change the fact that what she really wanted to do was sing. Aside from contributing a song to the
Freaky Friday soundtrack (which also featured tunes from
Lindsay Lohan and
Simple Plan), Ashlee didn't have much singing experience - though that didn't stop her from trying to launch
a solo career.
Ashlee Simpson - Fame and Fortune
Geffen Records signed Ashlee to
a music deal in 2003 and she began working on her first album immediately. Because Jessica was having so much success with her show
Newlyweds at that time, Ashlee decided to go the
reality TV route as well. Her series, called
The Ashlee Simpson Show, premiered in June of 2004 on MTV and documented the entire process of
making an album - from writing the songs to recording them. When
Autobiography was released in July 2004, it went straight to number one - a feat that big sister
Jessica Simpson has never been able to accomplish.
Ashlee Simpson - The Comeback Kid
Although Autobiography was originally met with
a good reception from music fans, Ashlee's good luck didn't last long. Throughout 2004 and 2005, peeps complained that she was
a poser who had no talent. When she was caught lip-syncing on
Saturday Night Live, things got even worse for this
rising star. But, despite her embarrassments, Ashlee picked up the pieces and
set to work on her second album,
I Am Me. The disc, released on
October 25, 2005, features the single Boyfriend (a song about the allegations that she stole
Lindsay Lohan's boyfriend from her!). Since then, Ashlee has Roxie Hart in the London stage production of
Chicago, and her third album is due out in 2008.
Ashlee Simpson - Did U Know?
Ashlee is currently dating Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz.
After Ashlee hit it big, the first thing she bought was a Lexus convertible.
The biggest influence on Ashlee's look and music is No Doubt's Gwen Stefani.
Ashlee wrote the song Catch Me When I Fall about her embarrassing experience on Saturday Night Live in 2004.
Ashlee Simpson Says...
"I was always, like, the younger sister. And she (Jessica), like, sang since she was
really young. So I danced and I was acting and all that stuff. And when I would sing, I would
sing alone in my room."
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