Biography
Ashlee Nicole Simpson was born on October 3, 1984, in Waco, Texas, and raised in Dallas. She's the daughter of Joe and Tina Simpson, and the younger sister of pop star/reality TV queen Jessica Simpson. Attending Prairie Creek Elementary School, Ashlee's talent was apparent early on: At age 4 she started dancing, and by the time she was 11, she was the youngest person to ever be admitted to the prestigious School of American Ballet.
When Ashlee Simpson was 14, she began to dance professionally, and the Simpson family moved to Los Angeles. Not long after, Ashlee went on the road, dancing as part of her sister's stage show. She supported Jessica's rise to fame from 1999 to 2001, all the while dreaming of acting and pursuing her own music career.
ashlee simpson joins 7th heaven
In 2001, Ashlee made her first solo television appearance in a small role on Malcolm in the Middle, and during this time she appeared alongside her more famous sibling on Saved by the Bell, The Donny & Marie Show, The Rosie O'Donnell Show, The View, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and a Disney Christmas show and concert special. Ashlee also took a part in the Rob Schneider comedy The Hot Chick (2002).
But it was on TV that Ashlee Simpson first got the role that would catapult her to greater stardom: In 2002, she was cast as Cecilia Smith, girlfriend of Simon Camden on the popular WB drama 7th Heaven. While playing this recurring role, Ashlee took lessons from renowned acting coach Janet Alhanti. All the same, Ashlee began to take small steps toward becoming a singer as well, and in between breaks in her shooting schedule she recorded songs such as "Just Let Me Cry" for the Freaky Friday soundtrack.
the ashlee simpson show
In late 2003, Ashlee Simpson signed a recording contract with Geffen Records to make her first album. At the same time, her father, Joe, asked her if she wanted to have a show built around her. Ashlee declined at first, but agreed when Joe Simpson suggested it be about the making of her upcoming album.
The Ashlee Simpson Show premiered on June 16, 2004, on MTV, and the album, Autobiography, was released on July 20th, after the show finished its run. The debut single, "Pieces of Me," hit No. 1 on the charts.
Later in 2004, Ashlee Simpson was set to perform on Saturday Night Live but a technical mishap caused the cancellation of the performance and a great embarrassment as it proved the starlet was lip-synching.
ashlee simpson releases i am me
Ashlee Simpson's second album, I Am Me, hit music store shelves in the U.S. in October 2005, and the single "Boyfriend" became a top 20 hit on the Billboard Top 100.
After touring in support of her second album, Ashlee hit the stage as Roxy Hart in the London stage production of Chicago.
ashlee simpson is named no. 93 in 2008 top 99
In 2007, Ashlee Simpson began working on her third album, Bittersweet World, and worked with producers such as Timbaland, Kenna and Will.i.am.
And, in 2008, Ashlee Simpson placed No. 93 on AskMen.com's Top 99 Most Desirable Women list, showing the world that despite past mishaps she's still hot stuff and geared to take on her sister and the industry. She also announced her engagement to Pete Wentz from the band Fallout Boy. Just after this, it was speculated that Ashlee Simpson was pregnant.
