Childhood

Jessica Ann Simpson was born in Dallas, Texas on July 10th, 1980 to parents Joe and Tina Simpson.

She grew up in Richardson Texas where her father Joe was a psychologist and also served as youth minister in the local Baptist church.

With this background, it was only normal for young Jessica to participate in church activities and so she sang in the choir.

Constantly listening to the radio while growing up, she had great admiration for Brian McKnight, Celine Dion and Shania Twain.

While attending J.J. Pearce High School she auditioned for The Mickey Mouse Club, but missed getting the job. On reaching the finals she froze, choking completely. She returned to her love of Christian music and was soon on the circuit of Christian concerts. Jessica sold her homemade albums after these shows and was well received. On this foundation, Jessica began to build her career.

In 1995 she graduated from Richardson North Junior High in Richardson, Texas.

Her dad a minister at a Baptist church in Texas also manages her musical career and her official website.

 

Career

Jessica has been blessed with the voice of an angel, designed to appeal to the young teens. It's her phenomenal voice and stage presence that have made her so popular and admired.

Simpson's career began in the gospel choir at her local Baptist church. At age 13, while at a gospel camp, she preformed a cappella arrangement of "Amazing Grace".

Her debut album, Sweet Kisses, was released in 1999 with the singles I Wanna Love You Forever and I Think I'm In Love With You on that same album.

She then hit the road and showed audiences worldwide what the Jessica Simpson craze was all about.

While touring with 98 Degrees, during one performance, she actually ripped her pants in the butt. She told MTV news of the incident "It was really, really embarrassing. I started backing up off the stage, and I told my dancers to take over, and people were flashing their cameras.

While on this tour she met and fell in love with band member, Nick Lachey. Their duet, Where You Are, proved richer by their romance.

Her second album, Irresistible, was released in June 2001 and it was an even bigger seller and crossover hit, with the title single reaching as high as #3 on the Top 40 mainstream chart.

Jessica and Nick finally got married in October 2002 and the celebrity marriage had rejoiced gossip columnists everywhere. As a result, MTV offered the couple a reality show based on their everyday life as a couple.

She and her husband Nick Lachey currently reside in Calabasas, California, which is also the location of their show "Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica" (2003).

Her third record, In This Skin, was released in August of 2003 and then again in spring 2004.