1980–1998: Early life and career beginnings[edit]
Jessica Simpson was born in Abilene, Texas. She is the daughter of Tina Ann (née Drew), a homemaker, and Joseph Truett "Joe" Simpson, a minister and psychologist.[8] She has a younger sister, Ashlee, who is also a singer. Simpson's father gave her a purity ring at the age of 12, and Simpson has often stated she remained a virgin until marriage.[9]Her parents were married in 1978 and filed for divorce in 2012.[10][11] Their divorce was finalized in 2013.[12][13] Simpson has stated that she grew up in Dallas, but her parents now live in McGregor, Texas.[14] Simpson began singing at a local Baptist church, where her father also worked as the congregation's youth minister. At age twelve, she unsuccessfully auditioned for The Mickey Mouse Club.[15] Simpson has stated that they were put in groups and had acting and vocal coaches to help them. According to Jessica, Justin Timberlake was in a group with her. She explained that she had frozen after getting on stage to sing, and later commented that she had felt "intimidated" by the other performers. The following year, Simpson attended a church camp, where she sang Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You" and an arrangement of "Amazing Grace".[16] At camp, she was introduced to the founder of Proclaim Records, a minor Gospel music record label. She recorded an album, Jessica, but she was dismissed from the label when it went bankrupt.Jessica was never officially released except for a small pressing funded by her grandmother.[17][18] When Simpson was sixteen years old, Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola heard Jessica. Mottola was impressed with Simpson’s musical talent and skill. Simpson was immediately signed to the label. She dropped out of J. J. Pearce High Schoolbut later earned her GED.[19][20]
1999–2001: Sweet Kisses and Irresistible[edit]
Simpson began working with producers such as Louis Biancaniello, Robbie Nevil, Evan Rogers, and Cory Rooney. Biancaniello worked with Simpson on three of the albums eleven tracks, including "I Wanna Love You Forever", "Where You Are", and "Heart of Innocence". Rooney produced the track "I Think I'm in Love with You", which was later released as the album's third single. During this time, Simpson began datingNick Lachey. Simpson and Lachey recorded a duet, "Where You Are", which later became the album's second single.[21] She also worked withDestiny's Child.
Simpson also collaborated with Sam Watters for the album. Watters produced the singles "I Wanna Love You Forever" and "Where You Are", as well as "Heart of Innocence". Watters also co-wrote the track "I Wanna Love You Forever", along with Louis Biancaniello. Carl Sturken and Evan Rogers also produced the tracks "I've Got My Eyes On You" and "Betcha She Don't Love You" together, though neither tracks were released as singles. Simpson's label wanted Sweet Kisses to be different than that of Aguilera's and Spears' debut albums, in that they were sexually risque, especially the lead singles from both albums.[citation needed] For Sweet Kisses, the label decided they wanted Simpson to be the "anti-sex appeal", to which Simpson would sing about love and romance rather than sexual themes. Simpson's "virgin" image was thought as a great idea by the label, who felt that it would draw in listeners by making a girl whom they could relate to. Simpson also announced in an interview that she would be abstinent until marriage, which helped listeners give her the appearance the label was hoping for.[22]
Simpson's debut single, "I Wanna Love You Forever", was released on September 28, 1999. The single entered the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at number 3.[23] "I Wanna Love You Forever" went on to be certified Platinum by the RIAA less than three months after its release.[24] Outside of the United States, the single was successful, as it peaked within the top ten in most European nations and Australia, which reached the Top-ten in Norway, Sweden, UK, Switzerland, Belgium, Canada and Australia.[25][26][27][28] During the recording of her debut album, Simpson became involved with Nick Lachey.[29] Simpson's debut album, Sweet Kisses, was released on November 23, 1999. The album debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200, selling 65,000 copies in its first week,[30] significantly lower than expected by Columbia Records.[citation needed] To boost record sales, the label released the second single "Where You Are", but could not reach the success of its predecessor "I Wanna Love You Forever".[citation needed] While Sweet Kisses was kept in the top 60 for several weeks, the label decided to make one last attempt to launch the third single from the album.[citation needed] "I Think I'm in Love with You" was released in May 2000, peaking at No. 25 in August 2000.[31] In total, the album stayed on the chart for 62 weeks.[31] The album was certified 2× Platinum by the RIAA.[32] The album has sold about 1.9 million copies in the US, and over 4 million copies worldwide.[33]
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