news archives

April 28, 2004 - WireImage has photos of the Jessica Simpson launches 'Dessert' photo shoot from back on January 13th at Splashlight Studios in New York City. Check out the pictures here.

April 28, 2004 - Indy500.com reports Jessica Simpson will sing the national anthem before the 88th Indianapolis 500 on May 30, Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials announced April 23rd. Read more.

April 28, 2004 - Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey of 98 Degrees hosted the Dessert Beauty Launch Party on Friday (April 23) at Marquee in New York City. Check out pictures here.

April 28, 2004 - Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey of 98 Degrees launched her new edible fragrance Dessert Beauty on Saturday (April 24) at Sephora Times Square in New York City. Check out pictures here.

April 28, 2004 - Jessica Simpson and hubby Nick Lachey of 98 Degrees spent the day together along with Nick's mother Cate shopping at Barney's on Madison Avenue in New York City before heading back to their Midtown hotel on Saturday (April 24). Check out pictures from GlobePhotos and SplashNews (use their search feature 'Simpson Lachey Cate').

April 28, 2004 - The New York Post reports Jessica Simpson wore five different outfits during the VH1 'Divas' concert - three of which were made specially for her by Donna Karan, with the others from Elie Saab and J. Mendel. When 'Access Hollywood' asked who designed her red-carpet gown, the ditsy diva replied, "Escada," instead of Karan.

April 28, 2004 - Are pop stars such as Britney Spears and Jessica Simpson really dopey or just purposefully blundering all way to the bank? Pop culture expert Nancy Snow tells FoxNews.com she leans toward the latter theory. "People at that level are always 'on' — they know what they're saying," said Snow, a communications professor at Cal State Fullerton. "I think it's kind of a sweetheart deal between them and the media. It really helps to feed the publicity machine." Read more.

April 28, 2004 - Ted Casablanca of E! Online reports Jessica Simpson was spotted at the smoking floor of the ritzy Le Meridien resort in Cancun, Mexico. Meanwhile, Ted says Simpson was later spotted at the CBS Radford lot in Studio City sitting in her Mercedes "as she inhaled somethin' fierce on one of those death-expediting cigs."

April 25, 2004 - Insiders tell the National Enquirer Jessica Simpson and hubby Nick Lachey of 98 Degrees constantly fought on the set of their ABC variety show. Jessica thought Nick was hamming it up and trying to hog the limelight, while Nick thought Jessica was a "prude" for objecting to his foul language off-camera. And when Jess suggested the show should focus on musical acts, Nick told producers the show should center around comedy. Several times Simpson halted taping moaning: "I can't do this!"

April 25, 2004 - carphe writes "MTV News reports that after submitting a book proposal to New York publishers earlier this year, Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey have now fielded at least one offer — reportedly in the $1 million range — for their proposed how-to, 'Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey's Secrets for a Happy (and Sexy!) Marriage'. "Nick and I would love to do a book about 'Newlyweds,' about surviving it and what goes into it, what to expect," Simpson said. "I think people expect marriage to be perfection, and that's not what it is. You see that on the 'Newlyweds' — we fight all the time. That's what makes a marriage healthy. We are no scholars on relationships, but I think we're definitely in a groove." However, the couple's literary agent said that they're going to pass on the current offer on the table."

April 25, 2004 - Jessica Simpson's father Joe spoke with Us Weekly about her new ABC sitcom hiting the air this fall, revealing his daughter is looking to get Donald Trump, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, and California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to appear on the program as themselves to be interviewed by Jessica's TV reporter character. "We're friends with Donald Rumsfeld and with Schwarzenegger," Joe said. "It will be tongue-in-cheek interviews." Joe also hyped Jessica's cover of the Robbie Williams hit 'Angels'. "That's our Grammy," father Simpson predicted. "We're gonna take it all the way home."

April 25, 2004 - The New York Post reports Jessica Simpson and her husband Nick Lachey of 98 Degrees were spotted getting mobbed by fans at the James hotel in Scottsdale, Arizona.

April 21, 2004 - Anonymous writes "Blowurmind.org has a performance of Britney Spears singing along with Jessica Simpson on VH1 'Divas' special that aired Sunday night (April 18). Download the performance here."

April 21, 2004 - The New York Daily News profiled how many celebrity couples have broken up and gotten back together, including Jessica Simpson and 98 Degrees star Nick Lachey. Check out the complete run-down here.

April 21, 2004 - The New York Post reports Jessica Simpson and hubby Nick Lachey of 98 Degrees will launch Dessert, Simpson's edible perfume collection, at Marquee Friday night (April 23).

April 21, 2004 - It was girls' night out in Las Vegas at the seventh annual VH1's Divas live special on Sunday (April 18, 2004). Jessica Simpson, Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Debbie Harry of Blondie fame, Cyndi Lauper, Ashanti, and Joss Stone headlined the live show at the MGM Grand hotel on the Vegas strip. Watch highlights from the show from Reuters.

April 21, 2004 - The Las Vegas Sun reports immediately after the show, most of the 'VH1 Divas' performers at the MGM Grand on Sunday night went to the official afterparty in the abandoned MGM Grand Theme Park behind the hotel, now called The Garden at MGM. Spotted were Patti LaBelle, Jessica Simpson, Cyndi Lauper, Gladys Knight, Joss Stone and Sheila E. Then, the famous faces spread out all over town. Read more.

April 21, 2004 - The Las Vegas Review Journal reports Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey were spotted at N9NE on Saturday while in Vegas for 'Divas'.

April 21, 2004 - Carmen Electra, Jessica Alba, Jessica Simpson, Nick Lachey of 98 Degrees, and Tyra Banks were on hand for 2004 VH1 Divas on Sunday (April 18) at The MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. Check out pictures here.

April 19, 2004 - Pitching it as the New Millennium Sonny and Cher Show, ABC aired 'The Nick & Jessica Variety Hour' on Sunday, featuring Jessica Simpson and 98 Degrees star Nick Lachey. Watch highlights from the broadcast from WB11.

April 19, 2004 - The folks at VH1 admit they didn't really consider Jessica Simpson diva material when they put together their annual 'Divas' extravaganza last year. VH1 executive vice president Rick Kim told The Associated Press: "At that point, she was geared a little toward a teen audience." Jessica said, "I've always watched 'Divas,' and I knew I could hang with them. I knew I could do it. And I think more than anything, it's an honor to be finally respected for my voice." The show is set to air on Sunday live from Las Vegas. Read more.

April 19, 2004 - stilettosadist writes "Jessica Simpson’s ‘In This Skin’ has been certified double platinum by the RIAA. The album saw a 46% boost in sales to 113,000 copies, fueling a 12-4 rebound on Billboard this week. On the Hot 100 Jessica’s ‘Take My Breath Away’ gains 3 spots to No. 31 while ‘With You’ decreases 22-24. "

April 19, 2004 - Us Weekly reports Jessica Simpson was recently spotted listening to tunes being spun by DJ A.M. at the Conconrde in Los Angeles.

April 19, 2004 - Ellen DeGeneres popped the "are you going to have a baby?" question to Jessica Simpson and 98 Degrees hubby Nick Lachey when they appeared on her show April 9th. Simpson responded, "Yes, absolutely. We're still a few years out... It's been such a fantastic year and there are so many opportunities happening for both of us, that I think we want to persue those."

April 19, 2004 - webanging writes "The latest issue of Entertainment Weekly reports 'The Nick & Jessica Variety Hour' was the 2nd highest rated show on ABC for the week and No. 16 among all networks. The show won it’s time slot among 18 to 49-year-olds and prompted the network to okay a Christmas special with Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey of 98 Degrees."

April 19, 2004 - The Las Vegas Review Journal reports a shopping spree by Jessica Simpson created a commotion at The Venetian on Saturday. Curious onlookers got so carried away that security cut short her shopping tour at the Grand Canal Shoppes and escorted the 23-year-old reality TV newlywed out a back door. Read more.

April 14, 2004 - Edna Gundersen of USA Today took part in a chat with the newspaper's readers on Tuesday and was asked if she thought Britney Spears would try to match the recent moves by Jessica Simpson with more television exposure. "Britney is so overexposed at this point that the only smart move is a long vacation at a Siberian spa," Gunderson responded. "Likewise, Jessica is dangerously close to the media saturation zone. I missed the variety show (any reports?) so I can't weigh in on her prospects as the new Cher, but there is something oddly appealing about her willingness to milk her own cerebral limitations for attention and laughs. It will be interesting to see which arena, TV or music, is more lucrative for her." Read more.

April 14, 2004 - 98 Degrees star Nick Lachey was on the Steve and DC show on Friday (April 9) to preview his variety hour show with wife Jessica Simpson that aired on ABC over the weekend. They talked about their 'Newlyweds' reality show, Jessica's love to shop and Nick's reputation of being cheap in contrast, his debut solo album 'Soul-O', whether her higher album sales cause tension in their marriage, hopes for an album of duets, the 'Take My Breath Away' hassles with their separate labels, and more. Listen to the 9-minute interview here.

April 14, 2004 - Strong ratings for Jessica Simpson and 98 Degrees star Nick Lachey's first prime-time variety show special have led to ABC ordering a Christmas installment built around the married couple. The audience for the special, 11.4 million viewers, was larger than the regular telecasts of 'Alias', which have averaged 8.1 million viewers in the 9 p.m. slot on Sundays. Read more.

April 14, 2004 - Jessica Simpson is featured in Us Weekly's 'Celebrity Carb Clash' feature where she reveals hubby Nick Lachey of 98 Degrees and her "were doing the low-carb-at-night diet." She added, "My diet is better than it's ever been."

April 14, 2004 - While Jessica Simpson comes off as friendly with fans, a source tells the Enquirer the singer was less than pleased to encounter a fan who approached her and hubby Nick Lachey of 98 Degrees at an LA eatery. When the female fan asked if she could click a picture, Jessica refused to even look at the woman, but Nick said warmly, "Sure.. do you want to be in the photo with us?" Jessica shot Nick an evil look, but painted on a phony smile when the camera flashed. After the thrilled fan walked away, Lachey told Simpson to wise up and stop dissing their fans.

April 10, 2004 - lopez_lover writes "First, she was a pop princess. Then, a "Newlywed." And now, Jessica Simpson is the hottest thing around – so says Maxim magazine. Jessica tops the mag's Hot 100 list of 2004 beating out Beyonce Knowles (No. 2), Christina Aguilera (No. 3) and Britney Spears (No. 36). "It's nice to get the stamp of approval from the boys," Simpson was quoted as saying. "It's way better than being No. 101." Read more.

April 10, 2004 - 'Extra' reports Ellen DeGeneres couldn’t help but notice Jessica Simpson and husband Nick Lachey's busy careers were in overdrive when they dropped by her show. "You all couldn't be hotter right now. You're on the cover of TV Guide, Entertainment Weekly, Us Weekly, twice," Ellen said to Jessica and Nick, Friday during her talk show. "This US cover is my favorite," noted Nick. "It says 'Is Fame Tearing Them Apart?' and we look so happy on the cover." Read more and watch the video clip here.

April 10, 2004 - Jaggie writes "The final task for one of the last two standing Apprentice contestants is to organize a Jessica Simpson concert at the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City. On the show that aired tonight, the contestant (Kwame Jackson) and his employees had dinner with Jessica's dad, Joe Simpson. On the previews for next week's finale, Jessica was shown talking to the contestants and saying, "I was so confused, I didn't know what to do!" (There was a mix up in her transportation and she was M.I.A. for a short time). The two hour finale of The Apprentice airs on NBC next Thursday (April 15) at 9 PM."

April 10, 2004 - Ashlee Simpson, Jessica Simpson, Joey Fatone of *NSYNC, Kylie Bax, Lindsay Lohan, Michelle Williams, and Randy Jackson were on hand for the Tommy Hilfiger 'H' Hilfiger Spring 2004 After Party on Tuesday (April 6) at Concorde in Hollywood, California. Check out pictures from WireImage.

April 10, 2004 - webanging writes "For the first time in Jessica Simpson's career she has two singles in the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100. 'Take My Breath Away' makes a big jump up from 47-34 while 'With You' slips one spot to No. 22. After falling out of the top 10 two weeks ago Britney Spears is back in with 'Toxic' at No. 10 up one notch from last week. Check out the top 50 list here."

April 8, 2004 - America's quizzical sweetheart Jessica Simpson remakes Berlin's 1986 chart-topper 'Take My Breath Away', giving it a very pop feel. Listen to the song at Netscape.com.

April 8, 2004 - The New York Post reports behavior by Jessica Simpson indicates the singer may be functional illiterate. On the 'Newlyweds' recent season finale hubby Nick Lachey of 98 Degrees gave her a Valentine's Day card, which she gave back to him, saying that she couldn't read his handwriting and that he should read it to her - which he did. "She claimed that the writing was too sloppy, but the excuse was straight out of some After School Special," says Stephen Falk, who recaps the series for the Web site televisionwithoutpity.com. "While watching all 10 episodes this season, it became clear that Jessica can't read. While I'm being a bit facetious, there are tons of examples of Jessica pawning things off to other people for them to read." Read more.

April 4, 2004 - Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey of 98 Degrees appear together on 'The Late Show with David Letterman' on Monday and 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show' on Friday, while Nick appears alone on 'Live with Regis and Kelly' on Tuesday.

April 4, 2004 - FHM editor in chief Scott Gramling was on the Fox News Channel this morning to discuss the magazine's 100 Sexiest Women In The World 2004 issue, including Janet Jackson at #19, Jessica Simpson at #10, Angelina Jolie at #2, and topping the list, Britney Spears. Gramling said Britney was "kind of like a drug" and host Brian Kilmeade said "it's hard to dislike her." Watch the interview here (click on the options button).

April 4, 2004 - Kevin Canfield of Slate.com weighed in on Jessica Simpson's chart topping single 'With You', and her touting the single as her own, having apparently co-written the single with the prolific lyricists Billy Mann and Andy Marvel. Canfield writes, "No one begrudges Simpson her ambitions. But spend three or four minutes with Simpson's 'With You'—'With nothing but a T-shirt on/ I never felt so beautiful/ Baby as I do now'—and you might find yourself longing for the days when professional songwriters ruled the pop charts." Read more.

April 4, 2004 - Craig Kilborn joked about Jessica Simpson and Jennifer Lopez during the 5th year anniversary of Late Late Show during his monologue on Thursday night. Kilborn said, "I got several telegrams today. Jessica Simpson sent one that said, 'Congratulations Regis!' J. Lo sent me a telegram too. It said, 'What's an anniversary?'"

April 4, 2004 - Us Weekly quotes Jessica Simpson stating: "I like amusement parks, but I'd rather go to Barneys. I'm high-maintenance. I can live with that."

April 4, 2004 - Ted Casablanca of E! Online reports Jessica Simpson and hubby Nick Lachey of 98 Degrees were spotted schmoozing with a mostly over-50 crowd at Ford's Theater pre-gala reception at the White House in Washington DC. Nick seemed more talkative than Jessica, who remained quite shy and reserved after embarrassing herself when introduced to Interior Secretary Gale Norton and exclaiming: "You've done a nice job decorating the White House."

April 4, 2004 - Craig Kilborn joked about the intellectually challenged reputation of President Bush during his Late Late Show monologue on Wednesday night. Craig joked, "Even Jessica Simpson is supporting John Kerry. You know you're in trouble when one of your own is supporting the opposition."

April 4, 2004 - Jessica Simpson graces the cover of People magazine's 30th birthday double issue. People's Senior Editor Jess Cagle tells 'Extra' the magazine is packed with an extraordinary look back at stars, scandals and a few unsolved mysteries, including how much plastic surgery Michael Jackson has had and where Jimmy Hoffa is. Watch a report here.

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