Ashlee Simpson Returns to Stage for Debut Album’s 20th Anniversary
The 39-year-old singer-songwriter-actress performed at the Beaches Tropicana nightclub in West Hollywood on July 21st in her signature all-black ensemble before raving fans that included husband Evan Ross and sister Jessica Simpson.
Fangirling on Instagram, Jessica wrote, “You are a fuckin’ rockstar Ash! You looked, sounded, and moved like you never missed a day on stage. It was simply EPIC!… I am so proud to be your sister!!! You are INCREDIBLE!”
Meanwhile, Ashlee shared she just released a new version of her debut album to celebrate its two-decade anniversary. The deluxe version includes a reissue of “Piece of Me” with Dolby ATMOS sound and bonus tracks.
Getting Out of Jessica’s Shadow
In honor of her first album’s 20th year, let’s revisit how Ashlee broke into the music scene.
Twenty years ago, Ashlee was known as Jessica Simpson’s sister. It wasn’t easy but Ashlee’s rebellious spunk eventually allowed her to step out of Jessica’s shadow. At the time, Jessica was already making waves with her string of hits and her reality show The Newlyweds. The series featured Jessica and her husband, boy band heartthrob Nick Lachey.
Ashlee began her career by touring with her sister and as a guest on popular TV shows like 7th Heaven. It was a show with another popular Jessica, Jessica Biel. Ashlee broke into the music scene with “Just Let Me Cry,” the soundtrack of the teen flick Freaky Friday that starred Lindsey Lohan.
Known for her signature dark hair, dark eyeliner, and platinum blonde era, Ashlee eventually made her mark in the music industry as a singer-songwriter by blending edgy pop-rock with mainstream pop.
Stellar Debut Album
Ashlee’s TV exposure and music led her to a record deal. She worked on her first album, Autobiography, while starring in her own reality TV show, The Ashlee Simpson Show. Its tracks, which included “Pieces of Me,” became global hits. The album reached triple platinum status and became THE female album of 2004. When it debuted, it took the number one spot on the Billboard Top 200 Chart.
Decades later, Rolling Stone describes her debut album as raw and relatable with her gritty voice and emotionally charged lyrics.
Lip Syncing Fail, Nodule Scare
2004 wasn’t all rosy for the pop-rock star. Her infamous lip-syncing fiasco on a supposed live performance on Saturday Night Live drew flak and brought her embarrassment.
Ashlee shared on the Broad Ideas With Rachel Bilson & Olivia Allen podcast that the day after the rehearsal for her SNL appearance, she couldn’t speak because of her nodules. She wanted to back out because she knew she couldn’t perform but her label urged her to go and just sing a pre-recorded vocal.
She referred to the blunder as a humbling experience and expressed her gratitude to the fans who stuck by her through the years.
Subsequent albums, album tours, musical stints as Roxie Hart, movie and TV shows, marriages, and motherhood later, Ashlee Simpson commemorates her debut album’s 20th anniversary with her iconic edginess.
