Guide Note

Jessica Simpson is an American pop singer and actress. She starred with her ex-husband, Nick Lachey in the MTV reality show Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica. Simpson has a younger sister, Ashlee Simpson, who is also a pop singer.

Fast Facts

1. Name: Jessica Ann Simpson
2. Born: July 10, 1980
3. Currently Dating: Tony Romo
4. She's a big magic fan, and has appeared on a Keith Barry magic special
5. Her favorite magic trick is "Sawing a woman in half", and she's been sawed in half several times

Jessica Ann Simpson was born in Abilene, Texas on July 10, 1980. She is the daughter of former Baptist youth minister Joe Simpson, who is now her manager. Her mother is Tina Ann Drew, who is a former Sunday school teacher. Her younger sister Ashlee is a pop-rock singer and occasional actress.

Simpson started singing at her local church and auditioned for The Mickey Mouse Club. She made into the finals but unfortunately didn't do so well due to stage fright. She went back to singing in the church choir and handed out her homemade cds after the performances. Simpson went on to perform with famous Christian singers including Kirk Franklin and Ce Ce Winans.

Simpson's talents caught the eye of Tommy Mottola of Columbia Records/Sony Music. She made it clear to Mottola that she would only sign with him if she was able to maintain her image. Mottola supported her decision and signed her.

Simpson's debut album Sweet Kisses was released in 1999. Her singles from the album were "I Wanna Love You Forever" and "I Think I'm in Love With You". Sweet Kisses has sold over four million copies world wide.

Simpson joined the pop boy band 98 Degrees on tour and soon fell in love with one of the members, Nick Lachey. Together they did a romantic duet together for the ballad "Where You Are" from the Sweet Kisses album.

In 2002, the couple married and confirmed to the public that she remained a virgin until her wedding night. Shortly after, they were offered a reality show on MTV based on their new marriage. The show was Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica. The series had much success and had 41 episodes total.

On December 16, 2005, Simpson and Lachey filed for divorce due to irreconcilable differences. The divorce was finalized on June 30, 2006. Simpson told Jane magazine that she knew their marriage was over when Lachey refused to go on a charity trip to Aftica on their third wedding anniversary.