Jessica Simpson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jessica Simpson
Simpson performing in 2011
Born	Jessica Ann Simpson (1980-07-10) July 10, 1980 (age 45) Abilene, Texas, U.S.
Education	J.J. Pearce High School Texas Tech High School
Occupation	Singer actress fashion designer
Years active	1993–present
Organization	The Jessica Simpson Collection
Spouse(s)	Nick Lachey ​ ​ (m. 2002; div. 2006)​ Eric Johnson ​ ​ (m. 2014; separated 2024)​
Children	3
Relatives	Ashlee Simpson (sister)
Awards	Full list
Musical career
Genres	Pop dance-pop R&B country
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	Columbia Epic Primary Wave BMG Nashville Canyon

Jessica Ann Johnson (born July 10, 1980), known by her maiden name Jessica Simpson, is an American singer, actress, and fashion designer. She started singing in church choirs when she was a child. At age seventeen, Simpson signed with Columbia Records in 1997.

Her first album, Sweet Kisses (1999), sold two million copies in the United States. It featured the hit song "I Wanna Love You Forever", which reached the top three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. For her second album, Irresistible (2001), Simpson showed a more grown-up style. The album's title song made it into the top 20. This album was certified gold, meaning it sold over 500,000 copies. Simpson's third album, In This Skin (2003), sold three million copies in the U.S.

Early in her career, Simpson was well-known for her relationship and marriage to Nick Lachey. They starred together in the MTV reality TV show Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica from 2003 to 2005. After releasing her first Christmas album, ReJoyce: The Christmas Album (2004), Simpson made her movie debut. She played Daisy Duke in The Dukes of Hazzard (2005). She also recorded a popular song, "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'", for the film's soundtrack.

In 2006, she released her fifth album, A Public Affair. She also appeared in the romantic comedy film Employee of the Month. With her sixth album, Do You Know (2008), she explored country music. A second Christmas album, Happy Christmas, came out in 2010. Jessica Simpson has sold over 30 million albums around the world.

Besides music, Simpson started The Jessica Simpson Collection in 2005. This fashion line includes many different products. It has earned over US$1 billion in sales. She also starred in the reality TV show The Price of Beauty in 2010. From 2012 to 2013, she was a judge on Fashion Star, a show about clothing design.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Growing Up in Texas

Jessica Ann Simpson was born on July 10, 1980, in Abilene, Texas. Her mother, Tina Ann Simpson, was a homemaker. Her father, Joseph Simpson, was a minister. Jessica has a younger sister named Ashlee. The family moved often because of her father's job. They lived mostly in Texas, but also spent a few years in the Midwest.

Jessica started singing in her church choir when she was a child. At age eleven, she dreamed of becoming a famous singer. When she was twelve, she auditioned for The Mickey Mouse Club. She sang "Amazing Grace" and danced to "Ice Ice Baby". She made it to the semi-finals, along with other future stars like Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and Justin Timberlake. Jessica felt nervous after seeing Christina Aguilera perform. She was not chosen for the show.

First Steps in Music

After the audition, Jessica continued singing in her church choir. The head of a Christian music label discovered her. He asked her to audition. She sang "I Will Always Love You" by Dolly Parton and was signed right away. She started working on her first album with Proclaim Records. She also began touring to promote her music. However, her father later said she had to stop touring. People thought she looked too grown-up for Christian music.

Her first album, Jessica, was never officially released because Proclaim Records went out of business. But her grandmother paid to have a small number of copies made. Soon after, Jessica got many auditions. Her album was sent to different music labels and producers. She caught the attention of Tommy Mottola, who was the head of Columbia Records. He signed her to the label. He said she had a "great little look and a great attitude." He also noted she was "something a bit different than Britney and all of them; she could actually sing."

Jessica began recording her first album in Orlando, Florida. Mottola wanted to present Jessica differently from Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. Those artists were known for dancing and a more mature image. While working on her music, Jessica's father, Joe, became her manager. Her mother became her stylist. In 1998, Jessica met 98 Degrees singer Nick Lachey at a Christmas party. They started dating. Lachey later said he told his mother that night that he would marry Jessica someday.

Music Career and Fame

Breakthrough Albums

Jessica Simpson in January 2001

Jessica started working on her first studio album in 1998. Her first song, "I Wanna Love You Forever", came out on September 28, 1999. This song was a big hit. It reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the U.S. The song sold over one million copies and was certified platinum.

Jessica's first album, Sweet Kisses, was released on November 23, 1999. It sold 65,000 copies in its first week. The album also did well in some European countries. In 2000, "Where You Are" was released as the second song from the album. Jessica's boyfriend, Nick Lachey, sang on this track. "I Think I'm in Love with You" was the third and final song from the album. It was also successful in the U.S. Because of this success, Sweet Kisses reached number twenty-five on the Billboard 200 chart in August 2000. The album sold over two million copies in the U.S. and was certified double platinum. Jessica went on the Heat It Up Tour with 98 Degrees to promote Sweet Kisses.

Work on her second album began in 2000. During this time, Jessica adopted a more grown-up public image. She explained that she recorded Sweet Kisses when she was seventeen. Now she was twenty-one, so she had grown a lot. While making the album, Jessica ended her relationship with Lachey to focus on her career. But they got back together in September. Jessica released the album's main song, "Irresistible", in April 2001. This song became her second top twenty hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Her second album, Irresistible, was released on May 25, 2001. It sold 127,000 copies in its first week in the U.S. It debuted at number six on the Billboard 200 chart. Even though it sold more in its first week than her first album, Irresistible did not sell as many copies overall. It earned a gold certification for selling 500,000 copies. "A Little Bit", the album's second song, was not as successful. In July, Jessica performed on the Total Request Live Tour with artists like Destiny's Child. On August 7, she started her own 15-date tour called the DreamChaser Tour.

Marriage and Reality TV Fame

Jessica Simpson and then-husband Nick Lachey in 2005

Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey announced their engagement in February 2002. They got married on October 26 in Austin, Texas. Jessica also started working on her third album in 2002. On July 14, 2003, she released the album's first song, "Sweetest Sin", but it did not become a big hit.

In 2003, Jessica and Nick began starring in the MTV show Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica. The show started on August 19, 2003. It showed their marriage and Jessica recording her new album. The show quickly became very popular. Jessica's lighthearted personality on the show helped make them famous. The series was a big success for MTV and ran for three seasons until 2005.

Jessica released her third album, In This Skin, on August 19, 2003. It came out the same day Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica premiered. The show helped promote the album. In This Skin debuted at number ten on the Billboard 200. It sold 64,000 copies in its first week. By December 2003, it had sold over 565,000 copies in the U.S. Jessica released "With You" as the second song from the album in October. This song became a hit. It reached the top twenty of the Billboard Hot 100. It also topped the Mainstream Top 40 chart, which tracks radio play. Jessica performed at the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show.

She recorded new songs for a re-release of In This Skin, which came out in March 2004. This re-release greatly helped album sales. In This Skin went on to sell three million copies in the U.S. In 2004, "Take My Breath Away" and "Angels" were released as songs from the re-release.

Jessica and Nick starred in an ABC TV special called The Nick and Jessica Variety Hour in April. It featured guest stars like Jewel and Mr. T. That same month, Jessica launched a cosmetics line called Jessica Simpson Dessert Beauty. All the products in the line were edible. Jessica went on the Reality Tour across North America from June to October. The tour made a lot of money. During this time, Jessica and Nick also appeared on The Ashlee Simpson Show. This show followed the start of Jessica's sister's music career.

Jessica's fourth album, ReJoyce: The Christmas Album, was released on November 23, 2004. It was a collection of Christmas songs. The album reached number fourteen on the Billboard 200. It was certified gold for selling over 500,000 copies. In 2004, Jessica also filmed a TV show pilot for ABC, but the network did not pick it up. In February 2005, Jessica launched another edible cosmetics line called Dessert Treats. This line was for a younger audience. Both lines were later stopped due to legal issues.

Jessica performed "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the Indy 500 in 2005. She also launched The Jessica Simpson Collection in 2005. This fashion company has grown a lot over the years. By 2014, it was reported to earn $1 billion in sales each year. Jessica made her movie debut as Daisy Duke in The Dukes of Hazzard (2005). The movie received mixed reviews but earned over $111 million worldwide. To promote the film, Jessica recorded "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'", a cover of a Nancy Sinatra song. This song became one of Jessica's most successful singles. Its music video, showing Jessica as Daisy Duke, got a lot of attention. In November 2005, Jessica and Nick announced they were separating. Jessica filed for divorce in December 2005. Their divorce was finalized on June 30, 2006.

New Music and Movies

Jessica started working on her fifth album in 2005. On March 28, 2006, she announced she had signed a new record deal with Epic Records. She was leaving Columbia Records after seven years. Jessica and stylist Ken Pavés launched a line of hair and beauty products in 2006. On June 29, 2006, Jessica released the song "A Public Affair". The song reached number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was certified gold for selling over 500,000 copies. This upbeat song was released the day before her divorce from Lachey was finalized.

Jessica Simpson in June 2008

On August 26, 2006, Jessica released her fifth album, A Public Affair. It debuted at number five on the Billboard 200. It sold 101,000 copies in its first week. The album did not sell as much as In This Skin (2003). It sold just over 500,000 copies in the U.S. The song "I Belong to Me" was the album's second song, but it was not a big hit. Jessica starred with Dane Cook and Dax Shepard in the comedy film Employee of the Month. It was released in October. The film received negative reviews and did not do well at the box office. Jessica performed a cover of the Dolly Parton song "9 to 5" as a tribute in December 2006.

Jessica had a relationship with singer-songwriter John Mayer from August 2006 to May 2007. In November 2007, Jessica started dating Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo. Some Cowboys fans thought their relationship was a distraction. They blamed Jessica for Romo's poor performance in some games. Even then-president George W. Bush commented on their relationship. Jessica and Romo ended their relationship in July 2009.

Jessica also appeared with Luke Wilson in the film Blonde Ambition (2007). It had a limited release before being available for home viewing. Later, she starred in the direct-to-video film Private Valentine: Blonde & Dangerous (2008). In this movie, she played an actress who joins the military. The film received mostly negative reviews. Jessica worked with Parlux Fragrances to launch her first perfume, Fancy, in 2008. The perfume was very popular.

Jessica began working on her sixth album in 2007. This album was inspired by country music. Jessica said she grew up listening to country music and wanted to "give something back." She released "Come On Over" as the album's first song on June 20, 2008. The song debuted at number forty-one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. This was the highest debut for an artist's first song on that chart. Do You Know was released on September 9, 2008. It sold 65,000 copies in its first week. It debuted at number four on the Billboard 200 chart. The album has sold over 200,000 copies in the U.S. Jessica opened for country music group Rascal Flatts on their Bob That Head Tour from January to March 2009.

Later Career and Business Ventures

Motherhood and New Ventures

Jessica Simpson in May 2010

Jessica Simpson's VH1 TV series, The Price of Beauty, started airing in March 2010. The show followed Jessica around the world. It showed viewers how different cultures see beauty. The first episode had one million viewers. Jessica said the series would return in 2011, but those plans did not happen. On October 12, 2010, Epic Records released a collection of her best songs, Playlist: The Very Best of Jessica Simpson. This was the last album under her contract with the label.

Jessica signed a new recording contract with eleveneleven and Primary Wave Music. She released her seventh album, Happy Christmas, on November 22, 2010. It was a Christmas-themed album. It reached number 123 on the Billboard 200 chart. Jessica started dating retired NFL tight end Eric Johnson in May 2010. They got married in July 2014 in Montecito, California. The couple has three children: a daughter born in May 2012, a son born in June 2013, and another daughter born in March 2019. In January 2025, Jessica announced that she and Johnson had separated.

In May 2012, Jessica appeared with Nicole Richie as a mentor on the NBC reality TV series Fashion Star. The show featured designers competing to create clothing. The series aired its second and final season in 2013. After her first daughter was born, Jessica launched a maternity clothing line that year. In August 2012, she released a perfume called Vintage Bloom. She also introduced a line of bedroom decor, including bedding and curtains, with floral patterns. In August 2014, Jessica released a perfume named after herself.

In 2015, Jessica confirmed she was working on a new album. She said she was working with Linda Perry on the project. In August 2015, Jessica hosted on the HSN channel to promote her products. Jessica launched her Warm Up brand of workout clothing. She expanded the brand in August 2016 to include trainers.

On February 2, 2020, Jessica released her memoir Open Book. The book became a New York Times Best Seller. It sold over 59,000 copies in its first week. The book discussed her marriage to Nick Lachey and her relationship with musician John Mayer. It also shared her experiences with childhood challenges and personal struggles. Six new songs were released as part of the book. This was her first music release since Happy Christmas in 2010.

In February 2025, Jessica Simpson returned to music with the song "Use My Heart Against Me". Her first extended play, Nashville Canyon, Part 1, was released on March 21, 2025.

Musical Style and Influences

Jessica Simpson has named Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Aretha Franklin, and Sade as artists who influenced her music. She first tried to start her career as a Christian music singer. She even completed a Christian music album with her own name as the title. When she signed with Columbia Records in 1998, she began making pop music. Jessica has recorded songs with Christian themes in later years, like "Pray Out Loud" (2008).

Her first album mainly featured pop ballads. These songs were meant to show off Jessica's singing voice. Critics compared her work to Mariah Carey. With Irresistible (2001), Jessica recorded more upbeat songs. She compared herself to artists like Britney Spears. Songs like "Irresistible" had more grown-up lyrics than her previous album. Jessica said this was because she was older when she recorded them. During the Total Request Live Tour (2001) and her DreamChaser Tour (2001), Jessica added more dancing and backup dancers to her live shows.

Jessica started working on her third album in 2002. Her then-husband Nick Lachey described the new direction as "organic." Jessica also began writing songs for the album herself. This was something she had been nervous to do before. The result was In This Skin (2003). This album stayed in the pop music style but moved towards the kind of powerful singer she wanted to be. Jessica explored elements of country music with "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'" (2005). This song was recorded for her movie debut, The Dukes of Hazzard. She continued to try out the genre on the song "Push Your Tush" (2006). Many songs on her fifth album have elements of dance and disco music. These include "A Public Affair" and her cover of "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)". Inspired by artists like Faith Hill, Shania Twain, and Martina McBride, Jessica recorded a country music album called Do You Know (2008). Throughout her career, Jessica has also released Christmas-themed albums in 2004 and 2010.

Filmography

Movies Jessica Simpson Has Been In

Television Shows Jessica Simpson Has Appeared In

Discography

• Sweet Kisses (1999)
• Irresistible (2001)
• In This Skin (2003)
• ReJoyce: The Christmas Album (2004)
• A Public Affair (2006)
• Do You Know (2008)
• Happy Christmas (2010)
• Nashville Canyon, Part 1 (2025)

Tours

Headlining Tours

• DreamChaser Tour (2001)
• Reality Tour (2004)

Co-headlining Tours

• Total Request Live Tour (with various artists) (2001)

Opening Act Tours

• Livin' la Vida Loca Tour (Ricky Martin) (1999)
• Heat It Up Tour (98 Degrees) (2000)
• Bob That Head Tour (Rascal Flatts) (2009)

See also

In Spanish: Jessica Simpson para niños

• List of awards and nominations received by Jessica Simpson