Jessica Simpson

Jessica Ann Johnson (née Simpson; born July 10, 1980) is an American singer, actress and fashion designer. Simpson signed a recording contract with Columbia Records when she was sixteen, and released her debut studio album in 1999. The album sold over four million copies worldwide, and spawned the top three hit "I Wanna Love You Forever" (1999). Hoping to achieve further success with her second album, Simpson adopted a more mature image for the release of Irresistible (2001). The album's title track, which served as the lead single, became her second top twenty hit on the Billboard Hot 100. The album itself earned a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Simpson married singer Nick Lachey on October 26, 2002 after four years of dating. The couple starred in the reality television series Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica (2003–05) on MTV, chronicling their marriage and careers. The show became a pop culture phenomenon and made Simpson and her husband household names. The marriage did not last, however, and by November of 2005 Simpson and Lachey confirmed they were separating; Simpson filed for divorce the following month citing irreconcilable differences.

Her third studio album, In This Skin (2003), became her most successful album to date; it sold over seven million copies worldwide. The album was aided in part due to the success of the single "With You" (2003), which topped the Mainstream Top 40 chart. She later released a Christmas themed album, ReJoyce: The Christmas Album (2004), which earned a gold certification from the RIAA. She made her film debut as Daisy Duke in the film adaption of The Dukes of Hazzard (2005); it was commercially successful, though received a negative critical reaction. She also recorded the song "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" (2005) for the film, which went on to become her fourth top twenty hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

Aside from her musical pursuits, she launched The Jessica Simpson Collection in 2005, a fashion line of clothing and other items. The brand has gone on to earn over $1 billion in revenue, and is regarded as one of the most successful celebrity founded brands ever. Her fifth studio album, A Public Affair (2006), saw a decline in sales for Simpson. She later starred in the romantic comedy Employee of the Month (2006). With the release of her sixth studio album, Simpson moved into the country music genre. The project was met harshly by critics, but debuted at Number One on the Top Country Albums chart. Simpson went on to star in the reality television series The Price of Beauty (2010), and was a judge on two seasons of Fashion Star (2012–13). She is married to Eric Johnson and the couple have two children. Simpson has since announced work on her eighth studio album, slated for release in late 2018.