Ashlee Simpson Guest Judges On America's Next Top Model

If you've been wondering where Ashlee Simpson's been too, I found her... on the most recent episode of America's Next Top Model.

Ashlee Simpson Files For Divorce

Ashlee Simpson-Wentz will soon be without her Wentz... Pete, that is. Citing "irreconcilable differences," Ashlee filed for divorce yesterday & is seeking spousal support as well as primary physical custody of their 2-year-old son Bronx with visitation for Pete. She is also looking to go back to simply having 'Simpson' as her last name. Didn't really see this one coming... hope everything works out smoothly.

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Ashlee & Jessica Simpson Perform "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" On PBS

Ashlee Simpson-Wentz joined her sister to sing "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" on her "Jessica Simpson: Happy Christmas" PBS special. The performance wasn't as bad as you'd think, but that's about it on the positive side. Ash, what's up with the hair? Not to mention that Jessica must be in one of her upswings... It's weird because I never would've thought it possible when Jess first came out, but Ashlee > Jessica vocally.

Ashlee Simpson Does Women's Health Magazine

Catching up with Ashlee Simpson-Wentz, she covers the December issue of Women's Health along with this accompanying shoot. Since shooting this, Ashlee has gone back to black--hair, that is--& is now starring in Chicago on Broadway.

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Ashlee Simpson Fired From Melrose Place

Due to dismal ratings, the CW is shifting the tone of their new Melrose Place reboot & as a result, Ashlee Simpson-Wentz is being let go. Producers are claiming her exit was the plan all along to save face, but I'm not buying a word of it. I feel bad for Ashlee that she's losing her day job, but I couldn't be bothered to watch that crap anyway. Let the music-making commence!

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Ashlee Simpson "Redbook" Magazine Cover

To promote her new series Melrose Place, Ashlee Simpson-Wentz shares the latest cover of Redbook with Alicia Silverstone & Connie Britton (Friday Night Lights). Kinda wish she had gone a little less with the eye makeup because it makes her look like she has a pair of black eyes next to the others, but Ashlee looks pretty great overall.

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Syesha Mercado, Ashlee Simpson "NO H8" Campaign

American Idol season seven's Syesha Mercado recently shot an ad for the NO H8 campaign against California's Prop 8. I think it turned out well. Ashlee Simpson-Wentz also did a NO H8 shoot with her husband Pete Wentz:

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Ashlee Simpson Joins Cast Of New Melrose Place

Ashlee Simpson-Wentz has joined the cast of The CW's new version of Melrose Place. She will play Violet, "a character whose disarming naiveté masks the calculating, shrewd sex kitten within." 'Melrose 2.0' is aiming to be included on The CW's fall schedule. No offense Ashlee, but I will not be watching...

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Ashlee Simpson & Pete Wentz "CSI: NY" Sneak Peek

Here is a sneak peek of Ashlee Simpson-Wentz & Pete Wentz guest-starring on a new episode of CSI: NY. In the episode, which airs March 18th, the real-life married couple plays a Bonnie & Clyde-like pair. I actually watch this show & as much as I dig Ashlee, this looks like a hot mess.

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Ashlee Simpson Gives Birth To Baby Boy

Ashlee Simpson-Wentz & husband Pete Wentz welcomed a 7 lb., 11 oz. baby boy last night. Their son's name is Bronx Mowgli Wentz. Congratulations!

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Ashlee Simpson's Zellers Commercial

Check out the now-pregnant Ashlee Simpson in this new commercial for Zellers. I've never heard of Zellers, but apparently they have enough money to hire Ashlee.

Album Review: Ashlee Simpson "Bittersweet World"

Being the MTV reality sister-of-a-star that she is, Ashlee Simpson is out to truly define herself on her third effort Bittersweet World, which strays from the comfortable pop/rock sound of her first two outings. Jessica is no longer the 'Newlywed' star she once was, so Ashlee doesn't have to be the rebellious answer to her sister's girl-next-door image any longer. Ashlee is ready to make the music she wants to make ... & it certainly makes for an interesting listen.

I'm not gonna lie: I really like Ashlee's first two albums, so the idea that she would mess with a formula that was working wasn't my ideal situation at first, but I became open to the idea. For anyone who has heard Simpson's first single off her new project, "Outta My Head (Ay Ya Ya)," the difference is obvious. I must say that I liked the quirkiness of her new sound when the single hit--& especially so because I respected Ashlee for it. If that's the music she wants to make, more power to her because it becomes evident, looking back, that she was in need of a bit of a change musically, considering she had gone about as far as she could go with the old sound. With Bittersweet World, the new sound works too, as the album gets rolling strong with one of its better & more radio-friendly cuts, "Boys."

It's not all rainbows & butterflies, however, with "Rule Breaker" & "Little Miss Obsessive," the album's Tom Higginson (of the Plain White T's)-assisted second single (of sorts). While I can't blame her for the written material, the songs are more obnoxious than enjoyable; Ashlee just seems to be trying too hard at times. However, "No Time For Tears"--a track that is sandwiched between the two aforementioned cuts--is rather good ... &, interestingly enough, resembles Simpson's old material more than most of the other songs. The thankfully lovable funkiness does reappear in "Ragdoll" & continues in the title track "Bittersweet World," which--dare I say it--even features some interesting (in a good way) vocals. My favorite cut on the album is "What I've Become"--the other song which features a resemblance to her earlier material, but provides a nice mesh of the two sounds. It offers a dynamic of sorts, unfortunately, to my least favorite song: "Hot Stuff." Ashlee, please don't rap. Please.

A song some may be familiar with--in some form or another--is "Murder," which features Izza Kizza. In its finalized version, this track offers one of the better examples of why Ashlee's new sound works. An Ashlee Simpson song that incorporates hip-hop? By all means, it shouldn't work--but it does. "Murder" is a refreshing offering from a creative (yes, I said it!) artist. I also must say: Ashlee Simpson has got to be the best person at ending albums. "Never Dream Alone" is a very nice ballad that leaves the listener entranced & wanting more.

Bittersweet World is a tricky one. When its bad, it makes the listener wonder if Ashlee's critics are right, but when its good, its really, really good--especially for anyone willing to give it a shot. The good definitely outways the bad in both quality & quantity. Here's to yet another artist overlooked by way too many for no real reason whatsoever.

Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Ashlee Simpson Pregnant, Changes Name

Ashlee Simpson & husband Pete Wentz have confirmed that Ashlee is, in fact, pregnant with the couple's first child. In addition, newlywed Ashlee has decided to take Pete's last name. Privately, she will be known as simply Ashlee Wentz, but will go by Ashlee Simpson-Wentz professionally. They aren't wasting any time! Congrats to the couple.

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Ashlee Simpson Marries Pete Wentz

The younger Simpson is now a married woman. Ashlee Simpson married boyfriend Pete Wentz over the weekend at her parents' house. Among the 150 guests were her sister Jessica Simpson, Jessica's boyfriend Tony Romo, Nicole Richie, & Joel Madden. All enjoyed an "Alice In Wonderland"-themed reception following the ceremony. Congrats to the happy couple!

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Ashlee Simpson "Shape" Magazine Cover

Here's Ashlee Simpson on the June cover of Shape magazine. She looks really good. Job well done. Her new album Bittersweet World is in stores now.

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Ashlee Simpson Performs "Outta My Head" On Nokia Green Room

Ashlee Simpson performed first single "Outta My Head (Ay Ya Ya)" once again at the Nokia Green Room recently. I like her new album Bittersweet World, & even the studio version of this song, but how many times does she have to perform this the same way?

Kelly Rowland, Ashlee Simpson Perform Again In The UK

Kelly Rowland "Daylight"



Ashlee Simpson "Outta My Head (Ay Ya Ya)"

So, here's Kelly Rowland & Ashlee Simpson both on BBC's Sound in the UK recently, performing the same songs they've been pushing across the pond for a while now. 2 things: 1) What's with the setting? Are they performing under an overpass? WTH?! & 2) I think I get it now. Due to their previous success, both their record companies idiotically made the decision that promotion to sell a record was not necessary. Discovering how pathetic their choices were in the equally pathetic sales that followed, they gave up on the US, instead turning their attention to the UK. Since, they've been trying to right their wrongs to Kelly & Ashlee by making them perform the same song 867 times in the last couple weeks all in the same place. Ya, that's how it's supposed to work...

Ashlee Simpson Performs "Outta My Head (Ay Ya Ya)" On Bravo Supershow

Now this is a performance! Finally something that isn't from a talk show. Here, Ashlee Simpson performs "Outta My Head (Ay Ya Ya)" from her latest album Bittersweet World on Bravo Supershow in Germany. I quite enjoyed this one from her.

Ashlee Simpson On Yahoo! Pepsi Smash

Boys

Outta My Head (Ay Ya Ya) // Little Miss Obsessive

Ashlee Simpson did a trio of performances on Yahoo! Pepsi Smash to promote her brand new album Bittersweet World. "Boys" has a really cool vibe & sound that just works, so I hope it is chosen as the next single, which would make sense considering all the push it's been getting. Also included are the performances of Ashlee's first two singles. They are basically the same as we've previously seen.

Ashlee Simpson Performs "Outta My Head (Ay Ya Ya)" On Loose Women

Ashlee Simpson is now the one making the rounds in the UK, performing her single "Outta My Head (Ay Ya Ya)" on Loose Women. I like this performance better, with the more intimate feel somehow working for the song. The vocals were better, too.