Ashlee Simpson – Interview [2005]

Ashlee Simpson Steps Up
By Colleen M. Quill

As I arrived at Ashlee Simpson’s hotel, there were paparazzi camped outside the doors. I wondered if they were waiting for her. It was the day of several television channels ‘Upfronts,’ to announce the upcoming season’s show line up. Ashlee was happy to find herself in the same hotel as friends Shane West and Lindsay Lohan in addition to her sister Jessica. Who knew one of New York’s most prestigious hotels would turn into a college dorm for Young Hollywood?

Many performers try to cross over from acting to singing and vice versa. These days Ashlee and her superstar sister, Jessica are dabbling in each other’s fortes. In today’s market, stars that diversify and become brands like Jennifer Lopez have longevity.

Big A, as she is called by friends, grew up listening to Gospel choirs and blues music. She was a gifted ballet dancer growing up. Now living with her best friend from Texas, Ashlee is branching out from the homestead and making her own mark in Hollywood. With her own reality show ‘Meet Ashlee’ debuting on June 16th, fans will get an inside look through the process of Ashlee recording her first album aptly titled ‘Autobiography’ out July 20th.

The first single ‘Pieces of Me’ is a catchy rock- pop tune that is taking over Top 40 radio. Ashlee is taking it all in stride. She is a person who gets how lucky she is to have her dreams coming true and wants to make the most of the opportunity.

You were originally signed to Carson Daly’s short-lived record label. Are you glad you had more life experience before actually putting together an album?

I’m so glad that I didn’t put my album ago a long time ago when I was originally signed. I love Carson. It would have been so much fun to have done a record with him. I’m really excited I had the extra time to grow up. I needed that. It was meant to be.

What are the questions you are tired of being asked?

I’m so tired of people asking if me and my sister are in competition because we’re not at all. We’re sisters so it’s natural, but if you listen to our music we’re making completely different types of albums.

What can people expect to hear on your upcoming album, ‘Autobiography?’

You’ll hear me. All these songs are about experiences I was going through at the time. I have tons of journals and poetry that I write so it was going through that material and making them into songs.

You wrote a song called ‘LaLa’ about sexual fantasies. How comfortable are you talking about that side of your life?

I don’t talk about my sexual life. It’s something I never wanted to talk about it. Whether I’m doing something or not, I’m comfortable with myself but that’s something I keep private. ‘Lala’ is a fantasy. It’s not my real life. It’s very tongue-in-cheek.

Who was ‘Pieces of Me’ written about?

That song is about my best friend Ryan Cabrera. My dad is managing him. He’s got his album out and I’ve got mine coming out. It’s about being so stressed out and then at the end of the day seeing him and it all goes away.

You appear in Ryan’s new video ‘On The Way Down’ and get to kiss him at the end. Are you two dating?

We’re having fun. I really like him. More than anything, he is my best friend. My dad is managing him. Because I’m 19, I don’t want to be too serious right now. I want to enjoy my first album and not worry about a guy.

When everyone knows you as a blonde, what made you decide to dye your hair brown?

I had to keep my hair the same for the past two years while I was on 7th Heaven. The WB has that rule since Keri Russell cut her hair for ‘Felicity.’ It was time to just go for something different. I had tons of colors in boxes in front of me and I just went with brown.

Do blondes have more fun?

You know, I like being a brunette right now. I feel bolder. I used to think that was silly when people said that, but it’s true. I feel different and I’m enjoying that feeling.

How have you learned from Jessica’s experiences?

I got to watch things she went through, things that happened in the press or with the record label. It was good because I know how to sidestep those things.

+ Colleen Quill