Jessica Ann Simpson was born on July 10, 1980 in
Abilene, Texas to Joe and Tina Simpson. She grew up in Richardson, Texas with
her younger sister Ashlee Simpson, where her father worked as psychologist and
minister at a Baptist church. Jessica began her singing career in the church
choir. In 1989, Jessica auditioned for theMickey Mouse Club, but lost the part after choking on the
final audition question. She returned to Richardson, TX and began recording
Christian music. Proclaim Records offered to record her gospel album, but just
as they were ready for release, the label went bankrupt. Her father, who now
manages her musical career and her official website, took Jessica on the road
and worked the Christian Youth Concert circuit. Jessica would perform and then
sell her home-recorded album after performances. While she was still in junior
high, Jessica began performing with gospel legends such as Kirk Franklin and Ce
Ce Winans. Jessica Simpson graduated from Richardson North Junior High in 1995
and J.J. Pearce High School in 1998.
Jessica jumped into the pop-music arena when she
signed with Columbia Records/Sony Music and released her debut album Sweet
Kisses in 1999. Jessica joined boy band 98 Degrees on their tour and it
didn't take long for her to fall in love with one of its members, Nick Lachey.
Their budding romance only helped the release of their duet, "Where You Are,"
off Sweet Kisses. Jessica and Nick were engaged in February 2002 and
married in October of the same year, which produced a swarm of gossip as Jessica
had proclaimed that she was saving herself for marriage. As a result of the
media attention, the couple was offered a reality show based on their everyday
life together. In August 2003, Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica debuted on
MTV. Due to the success of their reality show, the couple was also offered a TV
variety show in keeping with the Sonny and Cher Show. Both TV
opportunities have proven very prosperous. The couple now resides in Calabasas,
California; however, on November 23, 2005, they announced they will be divorcing.
Jessica Simpson performed at President George W. Bush's Inauguration in 2001. In 2003,
Jessica was also a part of the USO tour in the Iraqi War. In 2004, she was
chosen as #1 on 'Maxim' top 100 hot list. And, she recently beat out Britney
Spears, for the role of Daisy Duke, in the upcoming movie, The Dukes of Hazzard(2005).
Jessica Simpson is the national spokesperson for Operation Smile, a non-profit
volunteer medical services organization providing reconstructive surgery and
related health care to indigent children and young adults in developing
countries
Though she plays a dumb blonde on her hit TV show,
according to the August issue of Vanity Fair, her I.Q is in the 160s. That would
place her in the "genius" area and she could apply for a membership to the
brainiac club Mensa.
