From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Ashlee Simpson made an impact.
Ashlee Simpson is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and television personality, sister to Jessica Simpson. She started as a backup dancer and appeared in commercials before transitioning to acting, with a notable role in '7th Heaven'. Simpson gained wider recognition through the reality show 'Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica,' featuring her sister. This led to her own spin-off reality series, 'The Ashlee Simpson Show,' which aired on MTV, launching her further into the spotlight as she worked on her debut album.
1999: Back-up dancer on Sweet Kisses tour
Following the success of Jessica Simpson's debut album Sweet Kisses in 1999, Ashlee Simpson became one of her back-up dancers on tour.
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1999: Simpson family relocation to Los Angeles
In 1999, the Simpson family relocated to Los Angeles, California, to support Jessica Simpson's singing career. Ashlee began appearing in television commercials at this time.
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2002: Role in The Hot Chick
In 2002, Ashlee Simpson had a small role as Monique in the Rob Schneider comedy film The Hot Chick.
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2003: Signing with Geffen Records
In 2003, Ashlee Simpson signed with Geffen Records to release her debut studio album after recording a song for the Freaky Friday soundtrack.
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July 20, 2004: Release of Autobiography
On July 20, 2004, Ashlee Simpson released her debut album, Autobiography, to mixed critical reception. It debuted at the top of the Billboard 200.
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2004: The Ashlee Simpson Show debut
In 2004, Ashlee Simpson began starring in her own spin-off reality series, The Ashlee Simpson Show, which was broadcast on MTV. The show brought her considerable media attention.
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2004: The Ashlee Simpson Show
In 2004, Ashlee Simpson received her own series, The Ashlee Simpson Show. During this time, she also appeared in Ryan Cabrera's music video.
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2004: Release of "Pieces of Me" and Autobiography
In 2004, Ashlee Simpson's debut single, "Pieces of Me", was released and became a hit. Her debut album, Autobiography, was also released and reached the top of the US Billboard 200 albums chart.
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January 2005: Autobiography sales
By January 2005, Ashlee Simpson's album Autobiography sold over 2.5 million copies in the United States, becoming the highest-selling debut album by a female artist that year.
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January 2005: Release of "La La"
In January 2005, "La La" was released as the third and final single from Ashlee Simpson's album Autobiography. It received a gold certification from the RIAA.
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February 2005: Autobiography Tour Begins
In February 2005, Ashlee Simpson embarked on her Autobiography Tour throughout North America, featuring thirty-seven shows.
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October 2005: Release of I Am Me
In October 2005, Ashlee Simpson released her second studio album, I Am Me, which debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 chart.
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2005: Release of I Am Me and Undiscovered Failure
In 2005, Ashlee Simpson had a leading role in the unsuccessful film Undiscovered, and her second studio album, I Am Me, debuted atop the Billboard 200.
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June 2006: Release of "Invisible" and Scrapped Re-release
In June 2006, Ashlee Simpson released the single "Invisible," which peaked at number 21 on the Hot 100. It became her second single to reach the top ten of the Mainstream Top 40 chart. Plans for a re-release of her album I Am Me were eventually scrapped.
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October 28, 2006: End of Chicago Run
On October 28, 2006, Ashlee Simpson concluded her run as Roxie Hart in the West End musical production of Chicago, where she received mostly positive reviews for her "dazzling and near flawless" performance.
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December 2006: Press Scrutiny
In December 2006, Geffen Records chairman Ron Fair noted that working on Ashlee Simpson's next album would be "very tricky" due to press scrutiny and "prejudices," but affirmed the label's commitment to helping her overcome those challenges.
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December 2007: Release of "Outta My Head (Ay Ya Ya)"
In December 2007, Ashlee Simpson released "Outta My Head (Ay Ya Ya)" as the lead single from her third studio album. The song incorporated synthpop elements and 1980s pop influences, but failed to chart on the Hot 100 in the United States.
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April 19, 2008: Release of "Bittersweet World"
On April 19, 2008, Ashlee Simpson released her third studio album, Bittersweet World. The album debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 47,000 copies.
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April 22, 2008: Wet Seal Partnership
On April 22, 2008, Ashlee Simpson launched a collection of tops in partnership with clothing retailer Wet Seal, coinciding with the U.S. release of her album Bittersweet World.
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2008: Release of Bittersweet World
In 2008, Ashlee Simpson released her third studio album, Bittersweet World, which featured a dance-pop sound. It reached number 4 on the Billboard 200.
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November 30, 2009: Broadway Return
On November 30, 2009, Ashlee Simpson began her run in the Broadway musical production of Chicago, reprising her role as Roxie Hart in New York.
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February 7, 2010: End of Chicago Broadway Run
On February 7, 2010, Ashlee Simpson concluded her run in the Broadway musical production of Chicago in New York.
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2011: Working on Fourth Studio Album
In 2011, Ashlee Simpson confirmed that she had started working on her fourth studio album, describing it as having a "folk feel".
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June 2012: Filming Pawn Shop Chronicles
In June 2012, Ashlee Simpson began filming the comedy movie Pawn Shop Chronicles in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
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2012: Release of "Bat for a Heart"
In 2012, Ashlee Simpson independently released the single "Bat for a Heart", which failed to garner success, and she eventually scrapped her fourth studio album.
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July 2013: Reprising Roxie Hart in Hollywood Bowl
In July 2013, Ashlee Simpson reprised her role as Roxie Hart for the third time in a 2-dates special production in Hollywood Bowl directed by Brooke Shields.
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2013: Pawn Shop Chronicles Release
In 2013, the comedy movie Pawn Shop Chronicles, which Ashlee Simpson filmed in 2012, was released.
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May 2016: Focusing on New Music
In May 2016, Ashlee Simpson said she was eschewing a possible return to acting in order to focus on making a new album with her husband, Evan Ross.
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September 7, 2018: Release of "I Do"
On September 7, 2018, Ashlee Simpson and Evan Ross released their debut duet single, "I Do".
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September 9, 2018: Return to TV-reality
On September 9, 2018, Ashlee Simpson returned to the world of TV-reality shows with Ashlee+Evan, on E! Entertainment Television.
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October 2018: Release of Ashlee + Evan EP
In October 2018, Ashlee Simpson and her husband Evan Ross released their debut extended play (EP) by Ashlee + Evan through Access Records, which was supported by a tour and TV reality show.
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2019: New Music Release
In 2019, Ashlee Simpson confirmed that new music would be released, suggesting that she was working on her fourth studio album after an eleven-year hiatus.
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