History of Ashlee Simpson in Timeline

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.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

October 3, 1984: Ashlee Simpson's Birth

On October 3, 1984, Ashley Nicolle Ross-Næss (née Simpson), known professionally as Ashlee Simpson, was born in the United States. She is the younger sister of singer and actress Jessica Simpson.

Others born on this day/year

1984: Ashlee Simpson's birth in Waco, Texas

In 1984, Ashley Nicolle Simpson was born in Waco, Texas, to parents Tina and Joe Simpson. She has one older sister, Jessica Simpson.

Others born on this day/year

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.

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.

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.

2003: Appearance on Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica

In 2003, Ashlee Simpson appeared on the MTV reality series, Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica, starring her sister Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey. She also served as a VJ on TRL.

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.

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.

August 8, 2004: Teen Choice Awards

On August 8, 2004, Ashlee Simpson won the "Song of the Summer" Teen Choice Award for "Pieces of Me" and the "Fresh Face" Award.

October 23, 2004: Saturday Night Live performance

On October 23, 2004, Ashlee Simpson appeared as a musical guest on Saturday Night Live. Due to vocal cord inflammation, she used a pre-recorded vocal track, leading to a controversial performance.

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.

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.

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.

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.

January 2005: Speculation about Wilmer Valderrama

In January 2005, gossip news outlets began speculating that Ashlee Simpson and actor Wilmer Valderrama were romantically involved, leading to rumors of a "love triangle" between the pair and Valderrama's ex-girlfriend Lindsay Lohan.

February 2005: Autobiography Tour Begins

In February 2005, Ashlee Simpson embarked on her Autobiography Tour throughout North America, featuring thirty-seven shows.

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.

2005: I Am Me tour

Ashlee Simpson embarked on her I Am Me Tour in the final months of 2005 and began dating her drummer Braxton Olita.

2005: Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica End

In 2005, Ashlee Simpson appeared on the reality show Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica, which focused on her older sister Jessica and Jessica's then-husband Nick Lachey, broadcast on MTV until 2005.

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.

2005: Reported Earnings

In 2005, Forbes listed Ashlee Simpson as one of the "Richest Young Celebrities", reporting that she earned $8.3 million.

March 2006: MTV Celebrity Surfing Competition win

In March 2006, Ashlee Simpson won an MTV celebrity surfing invitational competition.

April 12, 2006: MTV Australia Video Music Awards Hosting and Wins

On April 12, 2006, Ashlee Simpson hosted and performed at the MTV Australia Video Music Awards, where she won "Best Female Artist" and "Best Pop Video" for the single "Boyfriend".

April 2006: Nose job

In April 2006, Ashlee Simpson had a nose job.

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.

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.

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.

May 2007: Harper's Bazaar interview

In the May 2007 issue of Harper's Bazaar, Ashlee Simpson said that plastic surgery was a "personal choice".

September 2007: Joe Simpson's interview on Ashlee's surgery

In a September 2007 interview, Joe Simpson said Ashlee Simpson had a nose job because "there was a real problem with her breathing and that was cured."

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.

February 2008: Promise Ring From Wentz

In February 2008, Ashlee Simpson began wearing a diamond ring, which she later revealed was a promise ring from Pete Wentz.

April 2008: Engagement Confirmation

In April 2008, Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz confirmed their engagement.

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.

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.

May 17, 2008: Wedding to Pete Wentz

On May 17, 2008, Ashlee Simpson married Pete Wentz at her parents' residence in Encino, California. Her father officiated the ceremony, and she changed her surname to Wentz, being known professionally as Ashlee Simpson-Wentz during the marriage.

November 20, 2008: Birth of Son

On November 20, 2008, Ashlee Simpson gave birth to her son.

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.

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.

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.

February 9, 2011: Divorce Filing

On February 9, 2011, Ashlee Simpson filed for divorce from Pete Wentz, citing irreconcilable differences, and requested that her maiden name be restored.

November 22, 2011: Divorce Finalized

On November 22, 2011, Ashlee Simpson's divorce from Pete Wentz was finalized. The former couple released a joint statement emphasizing their commitment to co-parenting their son.

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".

June 2012: Filming Pawn Shop Chronicles

In June 2012, Ashlee Simpson began filming the comedy movie Pawn Shop Chronicles in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

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.

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.

July 2013: Dating Evan Ross

In July 2013, it was reported that Ashlee Simpson had started dating actor Evan Ross, son of singer Diana Ross.

2013: Pawn Shop Chronicles Release

In 2013, the comedy movie Pawn Shop Chronicles, which Ashlee Simpson filmed in 2012, was released.

January 2014: Engagement to Evan Ross

In January 2014, Ashlee Simpson and Evan Ross became engaged.

August 30, 2014: Wedding to Evan Ross

On August 30, 2014, Ashlee Simpson and Evan Ross were married at Diana Ross's estate in Connecticut.

July 30, 2015: Birth of Daughter

On July 30, 2015, Ashlee Simpson and Evan Ross welcomed a daughter.

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.

September 7, 2018: Release of "I Do"

On September 7, 2018, Ashlee Simpson and Evan Ross released their debut duet single, "I Do".

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.

September 2018: Music Website Offline

As of early September 2018, Ashlee Simpson's music website remained offline despite her claims to return to music.

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.

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.