Jessica Simpson Biography

Jessica Ann Simpson was born on July 10th, 1980 in Texas. Jessica Simpson is the oldest of two girls born to Tina and Joe Simpson. Jessica Simpson was raised in the Dallas area with her sister Ashlee Simpson.Jessica Simpson was brought up in the Baptist faith and sang in her church as a child. During this time she also tried out for the Mickey Mouse Club, but was not chosen due to a poor audition. The show went on to cast Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and Justin Timberlake.

Jessica Simpson attended Richardson North Junior High and then J.J. Pearce High School in Richardson, Texas. Jessica Simpson was a cheerleader and very involved in the school's drama program.

While singing in a church summer camp, she was discovered by a Christian music label.Jessica Simpson was signed to a record deal. For young Jessica Simpson, this was a dream come true. Jessica Simpsonworked for three years on her debut Christian album, however, the label folded and her album was never released. Jessica Simpson grandmother then put forth the funding in order for Jessica Simpson to have a demo album. Jessica Simpson dropped out of high school her senior year in order to pursue her music career. (Jessica Simpson would later get her GED.) Jessica Simpson toured with the Christian Youth Conference and shared the stage with Christian music greats God's Property, CeCe Winans, and Kirk Franklin. Jessica Simpson's father, Joe Simpson, would help her sell her demo albums after the shows.

Jessica Simpson caught the attention of Tommy Mottola from Columbia Records, who signed her to a record deal. He had heard Jessica Simpson's demo album and thought that she could make it big in the pop world. Jessica Simpson first album, Sweet Kisses, was released in 1999. This album was certified double platinum. Jessica Simpson single, "I Wanna Love You Forever" reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 songs. This was Jessica Simpson's first Top 10 hit. The single also was a success internationally, garnering Top 10 status in several European countries. In 2000, she was offered a role in the film "Coyote Ugly" but she turned it down.

Jessica Simpson stayed close to her Christian roots during the initial releases of her album. Jessica Simpson dressed much more conservatively than her pop star counterparts. However, with the release of her second album, "Irresistible," Jessica Simpson began to show more of a sexier image. The title single, "Irresistible," contained somewhat suggestive language and even showed Jessica Simpson questioning her famous decision to remain a virgin into marriage. This change in image was largely due to the influence of Tommy Mottola. Although Jessica Simpson had been successful with her first album, he had been disappointed with the results. He felt that Jessica Simpson had the ability to be competitive with Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, but the image was holding her back. He decided that Jessica Simpson needed to lose a little weight and dress sexier, both in her videos and while out in public. The "Irresistible" video is the first one to show this side of Jessica Simpson, and she is rumored not to be too fond of it. While she gained some new fans, she alienated some of her early fans who looked up to her as a Christian role model.