From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Jessica Simpson made an impact.
Jessica Simpson is an American singer, actress, and fashion designer who began her career in music at a young age. She signed with Columbia Records at seventeen and released her debut album, Sweet Kisses, in 1999, which achieved double-platinum status. Her hit single, "I Wanna Love You Forever," reached the top three on the Billboard Hot 100. Simpson transitioned to a more mature image with her second album, Irresistible (2001), which was certified gold. Her third album, In This Skin (2003), sold three million copies in the U.S., solidifying her presence in the pop music scene.
1990: Auditioned for The Mickey Mouse Club
In 1990, at the age of twelve, Jessica Simpson auditioned for The Mickey Mouse Club, showcasing her talents in singing and dancing.
1997: Signing with Columbia Records
In 1997, Tommy Mottola told Simpson to lose fifteen pounds after she signed her contract.
1997: Signed with Columbia Records
In 1997, at the age of seventeen, Jessica Simpson signed with Columbia Records, marking the start of her professional music career.
1998: Began Working on Debut Album
In 1998, Jessica Simpson started working on her debut studio album, marking the beginning of her professional music career.
1998: Signing with Columbia Records
In 1998, Simpson signed with Columbia Records and began working on a pop music album.
September 28, 1999: Released Debut Single 'I Wanna Love You Forever'
On September 28, 1999, Jessica Simpson released her debut single, "I Wanna Love You Forever," which became a success and reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
November 23, 1999: Released 'Sweet Kisses' Album
On November 23, 1999, Jessica Simpson released her debut studio album, "Sweet Kisses". It debuted at number sixty-five on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States.
1999: Release of Debut Album 'Sweet Kisses'
In 1999, Jessica Simpson released her debut studio album, "Sweet Kisses", which went on to sell two million copies in the United States.
1999: Sweet Kisses Album Themes
In 1999, Jessica Simpson's debut album, Sweet Kisses, mostly explores themes such as love.
1999: Sweet Kisses Debut
Simpson's debut album, Sweet Kisses, was released in 1999.
August 2000: 'Sweet Kisses' Reached New Peak
In August 2000, following the success of its third single, Jessica Simpson's album "Sweet Kisses" rose to a new peak of number twenty-five on the Billboard 200.
2000: Began Work on Second Album
In 2000, Jessica Simpson began working on her second album and adopted a more mature public image during the recording process.
April 2001: Released 'Irresistible' as Lead Single
In April 2001, Jessica Simpson released "Irresistible" as the lead single from her second album, which became her second top twenty hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
May 25, 2001: Released 'Irresistible' Album
On May 25, 2001, Jessica Simpson released her second studio album, "Irresistible", which debuted at number six on the Billboard 200 chart.
2001: Release of 'Irresistible' Album
In 2001, Jessica Simpson released her second studio album, "Irresistible", adopting a more mature image. The album was later certified gold by the RIAA.
2001: Irresistible Album Release
In 2001, Simpson promoted her second album, Irresistible, and went through a "carefully orchestrated sexy makeover".
2001: Release of Irresistible
In 2001, Simpson released her second album, Irresistible.
2002: Third studio album in the works
In 2002, Simpson began working on her third studio album.
July 14, 2003: Released 'Sweetest Sin' as Lead Single
On July 14, 2003, Jessica Simpson released "Sweetest Sin" as the lead single from her third album, though the song did not achieve significant commercial success.
August 19, 2003: Released 'In This Skin'
On August 19, 2003, Jessica Simpson released her third studio album, "In This Skin", coinciding with the premiere of "Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica."
December 2003: 'In This Skin' Sold Over 565,000 Copies
By December 2003, Jessica Simpson's album "In This Skin" had sold over 565,000 copies in the United States.
2003: Release of In This Skin album
In 2003, Jessica Simpson released her album "In This Skin".
2003: Release of 'In This Skin' Album
In 2003, Jessica Simpson released her third studio album, "In This Skin", which sold three million copies in the United States.
2003: Success of In This Skin album
In 2003, Simpson released In This Skin which was a successful album.
2003: Newlyweds Premiere
In 2003, Simpson rose to stardom with the success of Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica, leading to her being perceived as a "ditzy blonde" by the media and public.
March 2004: Re-release of 'In This Skin'
In March 2004, Jessica Simpson released new material for a re-release of "In This Skin", which significantly boosted album sales.
April 2004: VH1 Divas Live performance
In April 2004, Jessica Simpson performed in VH1's benefit concert Divas Live 2004 to support the Save the Music Foundation.
May 2004: Benefit concert for Skin Care Foundation
In May 2004, Simpson held a benefit concert to aid the Skin Care Foundation.
November 23, 2004: Released 'ReJoyce: The Christmas Album'
On November 23, 2004, Jessica Simpson released "ReJoyce: The Christmas Album", which was certified gold by the RIAA.
2004: Released 'ReJoyce: The Christmas Album'
In 2004, Jessica Simpson released her first Christmas album, "ReJoyce: The Christmas Album", which was certified gold.
2004: Christmas Album release
In 2004, Simpson released a Christmas-themed album.
February 2005: Launched Dessert Treats Edible Cosmetics Line
In February 2005, Jessica Simpson and Randi Shinder launched the Dessert Treats edible cosmetics line, targeted towards a younger audience.
2005: Launched The Jessica Simpson Collection
In 2005, Jessica Simpson launched "The Jessica Simpson Collection", a fashion-focused line that has generated over US$1 billion in revenue.
2005: Launched The Jessica Simpson Collection
In 2005, Jessica Simpson launched "The Jessica Simpson Collection", initially partnering with Tarrant Apparel Group to release the Princy and JS by Jessica Simpson clothing lines.
2005: Film Debut in 'The Dukes of Hazzard'
In 2005, Jessica Simpson made her film debut as Daisy Duke in "The Dukes of Hazzard." She also recorded a cover of "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" for the film's soundtrack.
2005: Began Working on Fifth Studio Album
In 2005, Jessica Simpson started working on her fifth studio album.
2005: Release of These Boots Are Made For Walkin'
In 2005, Simpson released "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'" for her film debut in The Dukes of Hazzard.
March 28, 2006: Signed with Epic Records
On March 28, 2006, Jessica Simpson announced that she had signed a new record agreement with Epic Records and would be departing from Columbia Records after seven years.
June 29, 2006: Released 'A Public Affair'
On June 29, 2006, Jessica Simpson released the single "A Public Affair," which peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100.
August 26, 2006: Release of "A Public Affair" album
On August 26, 2006, Jessica Simpson released her fifth studio album, "A Public Affair". The album debuted at number five on the Billboard 200.
2006: Super Bowl commercial appearance
In 2006, Jessica Simpson appeared as Daisy Duke in television commercials for Pizza Hut airing during the Super Bowl.
2006: Released Album 'A Public Affair' and Appeared in 'Employee of the Month'
In 2006, Jessica Simpson released her fifth studio album, "A Public Affair", and also appeared in the romantic comedy film "Employee of the Month."
2006: Experimentation of genre on Push Your Tush
In 2006, Simpson experimented with country genre on the song "Push Your Tush".
March 2007: Donation to Elim orphanage
In March 2007, Simpson donated a new Chrysler minivan to the Elim orphanage in Nuevo Laredo.
2007: Super Bowl commercial appearance
In 2007, Jessica Simpson appeared as Daisy Duke in television commercials for Pizza Hut airing during the Super Bowl.
2007: Country album production
In 2007, Simpson began working on her sixth studio album, a country music inspired record.
June 20, 2008: Release of Come On Over
On June 20, 2008, Jessica Simpson released "Come On Over" as the lead single for her country music-inspired album.
September 9, 2008: Release of Do You Know album
On September 9, 2008, Jessica Simpson released her country music album, Do You Know.
2008: Launch of Fancy fragrance
In 2008, Jessica Simpson collaborated with Parlux Fragrances to launch her first scent, Fancy, which received a positive commercial reaction.
2008: Ventured into Country Music with 'Do You Know'
In 2008, Jessica Simpson transitioned into the country music genre with the release of her sixth studio album, "Do You Know".
2008: Recording of Do You Know
In 2008, Simpson recorded a country music album titled Do You Know.
2008: Christian Themed Song Release
In 2008, Simpson released songs with Christian themes, including "Pray Out Loud".
March 2009: Bob That Head Tour
From January to March 2009, Simpson opened for country music group Rascal Flatts on their Bob That Head Tour.
March 2010: The Price of Beauty series premiere
In March 2010, Jessica Simpson's VH1 documentary series, The Price of Beauty, began airing, attracting one million viewers for the premiere episode.
October 12, 2010: Release of Playlist: The Very Best of Jessica Simpson
On October 12, 2010, Epic Records released the compilation Playlist: The Very Best of Jessica Simpson.
2010: Released Second Christmas Album 'Happy Christmas'
In 2010, Jessica Simpson released her second Christmas album titled "Happy Christmas".
2010: Starred in Reality TV Series 'The Price of Beauty'
In 2010, Jessica Simpson starred in the reality television series "The Price of Beauty."
2010: Last release of music
In 2010, Simpson released Happy Christmas, marking her last release of music until 2020.
2010: Christmas album release
In 2010, Simpson released another Christmas-themed album.
2011: Plans for The Price of Beauty season 2
In 2011, Simpson revealed that the series would return with a format change, but these plans never came to fruition.
2012: Sales of Do You Know album
As of 2012, The project sold 65,000 copies in its first week of release, debuting at number four on the Billboard 200 chart. The album has sold just over 200,000 copies in the United States.
2012: Judged Clothing Designs on 'Fashion Star'
From 2012 to 2013, Jessica Simpson judged clothing designs on two seasons of "Fashion Star".
2013: Judged Clothing Designs on 'Fashion Star'
From 2012 to 2013, Jessica Simpson judged clothing designs on two seasons of "Fashion Star".
2013: Fashion Star Season 2
The second and final season of Fashion Star aired in 2013.
2014: The Jessica Simpson Collection Annual Sales Reported
In 2014, it was reported that "The Jessica Simpson Collection" earned $1 billion in annual sales.
August 2015: HSN channel host
In August 2015, Simpson was a host on the HSN channel while promoting her products.
August 2016: Warm Up brand expansion
In August 2016, Jessica Simpson expanded her Warm Up brand of workout clothing to include trainers.
February 2, 2020: Release of Open Book memoir
On February 2, 2020, Jessica Simpson released her memoir Open Book, which topped The New York Times Best Seller list.
2020: Open Book Memoir
In her 2020 memoir Open Book, Simpson recalled her time in the show, and reflected on performing identities on social media and living life filtered through a reality show lens.