Ashlee Simpson Flux Model

Ashley Nicolle Ross-Næss (known professionally as Ashlee Simpson), born October 3, 1984, in Waco, TX, is an American recording artist, actress, and television personality. Simpson was a backup dancer for her older sister, Jessica Simpson, before landing the recurring role of Cecilia Smith on the drama series “7th Heaven" from 2002 to 2004. Wanting to both sing and act, Simpson decided to also pursue a career in music. After contributing songs to the holiday compilation School's Out Christmas and the "Freaky Friday" (2003) soundtrack, Simpson signed with Geffen Records. Breaking away from her sister's pop image, Ashlee embraced a more rock-oriented sound. Her debut single, "Pieces of Me," released in 2004, became a Top 5 hit in the US and showcased her distinct, raspy vocals.

During this time, she starred on her own reality series, MTV’s “The Ashlee Simpson Show," which documented the making of her debut album, "Autobiography." Arriving in July 2004, the album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and sold over five million copies worldwide. However, her success came with controversy. In October, Simpson was caught lip-synching on “Saturday Night Live,” when the incorrect vocal track began playing during her second performance. Simpson explained that she was unable to sing live due to acid reflux and elected to lip-synch rather than cancel her performance at the last minute. This incident significantly impacted Simpson’s career, with many people labeling her a fraud. However, Simpson forged on with her career, even returning to “SNL” the following year to promote her second album, “I Am Me” (2005). Though it failed to achieve the same level of success as her debut, it also debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and was certified platinum. Simpson continued acting, appearing in the 2005 film “Undiscovered” before taking on the role of Roxie Hart in the Broadway production of "Chicago" in 2006 (she would later return to the part in 2009 and 2013). Simpson’s third album, “Bittersweet World," was released in 2008. Its sales were dismal, especially in comparison to her previous records, but it was met with positive critical reception.

Following "Bittersweet World," Simpson took a hiatus from music to focus on acting and family life. She married Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz in 2008 and they had a son, Bronx Mowgli Wentz, before divorcing in 2011. She later married actor/musician Evan Ross, son of Diana Ross and brother to Tracee Ellis-Ross, in 2014; they have two children, Jagger and Ziggy Blu. Simpson has made occasional returns to the spotlight, including appearances on television shows like "Melrose Place" and "Sugar," and the standalone single "Bat for a Heart" (2012). In 2018, she and her husband formed the singing duo Ashlee + Evan and filmed a reality show for E! that documented their relationship and the making of their self-titled EP, released that same year.