Ashlee Nicole Simpson was born on October 3, 1984, in Waco, Texas, and raised in Dallas. She's the daughter of Joe and Tina Simpson, and the younger sister of pop star/reality TV queen Jessica Simpson. Attending Prairie Creek Elementary School, Ashlee's talent was apparent early on: at age 4 she started dancing, and by the time she was 11, she was admitted into the prestigious School of American Ballet, the youngest person in that school's history.

When Ashlee was 14, she began to dance professionally, and the Simpson family moved to Los Angeles. Not long after, Ashlee went on the road, dancing as part of her sister's stage show. She supported Jessica's rise to fame from 1999 to 2001, all the while dreaming of acting and even pursuing her own music career.

ashlee simpson joins 7th heaven

In 2001, Ashlee made her first solo television appearance in a small role on Malcolm in the Middle, and during this time she appeared alongside her more famous sibling on Saved by the Bell, The Donny & Marie Show, The Rosie O'Donnell Show, The View, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and a Disney Christmas show and concert special. Ashlee also took a part in the Rob Schneider comedy, The Hot Chick (2002).

But it was on TV that Ashlee first got the role that would catapult her to greater stardom. In 2002, she was cast as Cecilia Smith, girlfriend of Simon Camden on the popular WB drama 7th Heaven. While playing this recurring role, Ashlee took lessons from renowned acting coach Janet Alhanti. All the same, Ashlee began to take small steps toward becoming a singer as well, and in between breaks in her shooting schedule she recorded songs such as "Just Let Me Cry" for the Freaky Friday soundtrack.

the ashlee simpson show

In late 2003, Ashlee signed a recording contract with Geffen Records to make her first album. At the same time, her father Joe (who produces Jessica Simpson's Newlyweds reality show on MTV) asked Ashlee if she too wanted to have a show built around her. Ashlee declined at first, but agreed when Joe Simpson suggested it be about the making of Ashlee's upcoming album.

The Ashlee Simpson Show premiered on June 16, 2004, on MTV, and the album, Autobiography, will see its release on July 20, after the show finishes its run. The debut single, "Pieces of Me," is already enjoying heavy radio play.

ashlee and jessica simpson

But although Ashlee is now entering her sister Jessica's turf, she takes pains to point out the differences between the two singing Simpsons. She says her style is more punk and less pop, and that just as she's broadening her profile, so is her sister. "It's funny 'cause Jess is doing acting for the first time," observes Ashlee, "and I'm doing music, so we sort of switched. It's really great."

As for the future, right now Ashlee is content to spend her free time having fun, going shopping, and hanging out with her friends.

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