Picking Up the Pieces: Real deal Ashlee Simpson rocks skeptics with an SNL comeback and a gay boy-friendly new album that’s more “fun and dancey.”
By Brandon Voss
She’s here. She’s her. Get used to it.
With her 2004 multi-platinum debut album, Autobiography, driven by infectious chart-topper “Pieces of Me,” Ashlee Simpson busted out of her older sister’s shadow. But even with the success of her self-titled MTV reality show, the pop-punkster soon became best known for that little lip-synching fiasco on Saturday Night Live, during which she might as well have ripped up a picture of the Pope. It didn’t help matters that her first film vehicle, Undiscovered, went unappreciated at the box office. But la la or loathe her, Ashlee’s back in blonde with a defiant new disc, I Am Me, and spunky lead single “(Didn’t Steal Your) Boyfriend.”
Just days after her brave return to the SNL stage, I caught up with the barely 21-year-old star by phone as she enjoyed some “me” time on her parents’ couch in L.A.
HX: Guess what, Ashlee! We totally bumped Madonna off our music issue cover for you! I just called her to break the news and she is pissed.
Ashlee Simpson: [Laughs] Uh-oh!
But seriously, I read that Blender magazine actually did bump Madonna in favor of you for their December issue. That must feel surreal.
If that’s true, that’s crazy. But Madonna can have any cover that she wants.
Well, congratulations on your terrific performance on SNL last weekend.
Thank you! They asked me if I’d come back and I was like, “Hell yeah!” I’ve been waiting for that moment, being on tour all year and really feeling comfortable with how I perform. It was so good going back. I’m so glad because I feel like I redeemed myself. Performing is my favorite thing in the whole world.
You definitely impressed me at your Supper Club concert a few weeks ago. In between songs you’d offer little nuggets of advice to the crowd such as, “Don’t ever change for a guy!” Do you feel a responsibility to share your wisdom with your young fans?
I do. With my songs I’m so honest and I speak about every experience I go through. A lot of my fans go through similar situations. So if I have advice to offer, I’ll help out anybody.
Tell me about your new album, I Am Me.
I wanted to go with that title because I’m not perfect, but this is who I am. I went back to work with [producer] John Shanks again and I feel really proud of the record. It’s a journey of what I’ve been through this year — it shows growth. And there are more songs that are fun and dancey.
I’m not sure if you realize it, but “Boyfriend” is becoming something of a gay anthem.
I love it! Yes, I did. Actually, I met some [gay] fans at the Supper Club and they made their own video for it and they’re sending it to me. I can’t wait! I would love to go to gay clubs and perform “Boyfriend” for everybody. So fun!
You’ve made a big point of saying that the song isn’t about your pal Wilmer Valderrama, Lindsay’s ex, but have you ever stolen another girl’s man?
Honestly, I haven’t. I mean, if you’re dating someone, I don’t want your boyfriend, you know? But I’ve had boyfriends who have cheated on me before, which really sucks.
The worst. By the way, lesbians dig you, too. Have you ever experimented with a chick?
[Laughs] No comment!
Hot. If a drag queen wanted to do you, how should he best capture your essence?
I would say black eyeliner and a good wig. It all depends on if you want to be black-haired Ashlee or blonde Ashlee. I’d love to see it!
Which reminds me, I’m very concerned about your hair, girl. How are you keeping it healthy?
Honestly, I don’t know how I’m so lucky — I’ve gone through so many processes with it! But I do treatments on it all the time. And I take Phyto hair pills.
Are you still using over-the-counter Clairol?
I used to when it was dark, but now that it’s light, I don’t do it myself.
You know that many of us are obsessed with following your personal life online and in the tabloids. What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever read about yourself?
A lot of times I read things about myself that aren’t true. This week it was talking about how my dad wanted to send my sister away so I could have the spotlight. Like my dad would ever be like, “Jessica, you need to go away!” I was like, Are you kidding me? Where do you people come up with this? I thought that was quite funny.
Are you also in tune with celebrity pop culture?
I won’t lie, I do read the magazines. A lot of the times I feel bad for people. I know how untrue things can be about me, so whenever they say it about other people it’s like, Aww, I know what it feels like!
Let me quiz you: Do you know what Britney named her baby?
No, I don’t!
Ashlee, you failed!
Oh, I totally did! What did she name her baby?
Sean Preston.
Hmm. But I saw the headline “Britney’s Losing the Weight”! And you know she will, too, and have a hot body again.
I know, she makes me sick. Okay, next question: Who’s Ashlee Simpson dating now?
I’m actually single right now and I love it. I’m having a really good time because if I meet somebody and want to go on a date, I can.
Could you ever date an average schmo?
Oh, absolutely. That’s kind of what I’m looking for. I don’t want to date a celebrity or someone in the public eye.
Well, one reason we love you so much is because you always date the hottest guys. You know you’re a lucky bitch.
[Laughs] I totally am! Yeah, I definitely get hot guys.
What’s your secret?
I think guys like that I am who I am. You hang out with me, we’ll go have beer and I’ll be real. And also, I got a trick or two, ya know? [Laughs]
I’ll bet! Okay, now dish: Who makes you wanna “La La” lately?
Orlando Bloom. Never met him, but he’s pretty hot!
HX, October 2005.
Brave New World: Ashlee Simpson on her album’s (and boyfriend’s) queer appeal.
By Brandon Voss
When I last interviewed Ashlee Simpson for HX in October 2005, the barely 21-year-old star continued to shirk her older sister’s shadow with her sophomore CD, I Am Me, and spunky single “(Didn’t Steal Your) Boyfriend.” Just a few days earlier, she had redeemed her infamous lip-synching debacle by returning to the SNL stage with a killer live performance.
A lot’s changed since that fall, including some physical transformations that — to use her own words to Us Weekly — are pretty obvious “as long as people have two eyes.” Putting the punk in her past, she also made a well-received professional stage debut as Roxie Hart in London’s Chicago, and she can currently be seen rocking a “promise ring” from Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz.
Now, as the reality show survivor prepares to release her dancey third disc, Bittersweet World (on which she collaborated with the likes of Timbaland, Chad Hugo, and Kenna), Simpson squashes some sticky rumors and la las about her latest L.O.V.E.
HX: I believe Bittersweet World is your gay-friendliest album yet.
Ashlee Simpson: It is, right? I thought so, too. I always bring it with my songs, and I think “Boys” might be an anthem. Last time we had “Boyfriend” and “L.O.V.E.,” the time before we had “La La” — my girlfriend would call me and be like, “I’m at a gay club and they’re playing “La La”! And I’m like, “Oh, yes!”
“Boys” is such a fun “on the prowl” club song. Do you miss those perks of being single?
I don’t miss that, because I’ve had that, and now I’ve got the cutest boyfriend in the world. It’s always more fun when you have a great person to go home to.
Who’s your closest gay friend?
Ooh, that’s tough. Probably my friend James in California. We go out to dinners, shopping, all that good stuff.
I thought it might be your hairstylist, Ken Pavés.
Oh, we may have a tie! Ken is definitely up there. Ken is the most exciting person to have around. He’s so much fun and brings the best energy, and he has the best heart. Ken is like a family member to me — like the long lost Simpson sister.
Rumor control: Is Jessica really getting inseminated with Ken’s sperm? Because that would be one well-coiffed child.
No, that’s not true. It would be cute, but it’s not true.
I understand that your stint in Chicago inspired the new album.
Yeah, with the storyline and a bit of the cattiness and whatnot — you can hear a bit of that on the record.
I was excited when I heard about a pseudo alter ego named Vicky Valentine on the new album because she sounded like a drag queen, but then you dismissed her. Why’d you kill Vicky?
Vicky still exists, but it’s like a joke in the studio — like, whenever I’m recording and I get my attitude on, because I’m not really a tough girl. I wasn’t doing a Garth Brooks thing. People were like, “Oh, you have an alter ego?” I’m like, “No!”
Your new single, “Little Miss Obsessive,” explores a “break up to make up” relationship. In your experience, do you need a little drama to keep things spicy?
It’s better without it, but we’ve all been there.
Your video for “Outta My Head (Ay Ya Ya),” with its shrink’s office and loony bin, concerns me that you’re about to snap like Britney under the media scrutiny.
Oh, gosh, no — and I did that video before Britney [was hospitalized]. Then I was like, “Whoa, that happened to her!” It was just a concept — it wasn’t me.
Your boyfriend Pete has said he has no qualms kissing other guys. I, of course, have no problem with that. How about you?
Well, he doesn’t! We only kiss each other. Guy or girl — only us! [Laughs]
Do you mind those gay rumors or that so many gay guys wish Pete were gay?
It doesn’t bother me, because he doesn’t act — I mean, I think I’d be more of the gay man in the relationship. He definitely wears the man-shoes in the relationship, which is great. I love that guys love him, too — that’s wonderful. It’s flattering.
How are you the gay man, Ashlee?
I am about everything! Like how I get excited about things — like shopping — and how I always want to talk… I’ll be like, “Aren’t you so excited right now?!”
Do you ever read what the blogs write about your love life?
I don't keep up with it too much anymore, because it's just not that exciting, you know? If I'm really super-bored, then I'll check it out, but usually no.
How much did Pete influence the sound on the new record?
If he would’ve influenced that, I probably would’ve made a totally different record. But there are many other ways that he inspires me — through music, writing, and just watching him.
If you want the media to get off your back about getting married, you should pull a Brad Pitt and declare that you won’t marry until all gays can legally marry.
I can’t make that deal, but I will definitely stand for you on that one. They definitely should be able to.
Fair enough. Your character in 2005’s Undiscovered was originally supposed to be a lesbian, but her sexuality got nixed. Are you at a safe place in your career where you’d play gay now?
Yeah, I definitely would. And I would’ve with that character as well, but it was a little too obvious — but I tried to butch it up a little bit!
Which actress would you choose for your onscreen love interest?
Oh, gosh! I think I’ll go with the answer that every woman goes with — Angelina Jolie. She’s got those huge lips and everything. I’d go with her for sure.
HX, April 2008; extended online version.