Jessica Chosen To Sing For Military Families

Jessica Simpson is getting patriotic!

The 30-year-old singer has received a personal invitation from First Lady Michelle Obama to perform for military families April 13 at Coors Field in Denver, Colo.

A longtime supporter of the troops, Simpson tells Us Magazine she's thrilled to have the opportunity.

"[The First Lady] asked me to sing for the troops. That's a huge honor for me," Simpson tells Us. "Just to be there and show my support and say thank you."

Simpson's performance -- happening during the Rockies vs. Mets baseball game at 7:50 p.m. (EST) -- is just one event taking place as part of Mrs. Obama and Dr. Jill Biden's initiative to honor America's service members.

During the national two-day tour, the women will travel to Camp Lejeune, N.C., San Antonio, Texas, Denver and Columbus, Ohio to "highlight the work of Americans who have answered the call to serve our military families to showcase ways all Americans can serve them, from teachers and business leaders, to neighbors and volunteers," according to a statement.

Simpson's participation in the service initiative is her latest effort to give back to the troops.

In October, the engaged singer chatted with soldiers aboard the USS Harry S. Truman during a visit to the Persian Gulf. "I'm forever changed after this last week," the singer Tweeted after her visit.

Credit: Us Magazine

Jessica Simpson To Help Design Wedding Gown

Though she hasn’t set a date for her wedding to fiancé Eric Johnson — they might even elope! — Jessica Simpson has one big detail in mind: her dress. 

“I will be part of designing my own wedding gown,” the star, who wore a custom Vera Wang gown for her 2002 wedding to Nick Lachey, tells WWD. “But not without telling your mom,” interjects mother Tina. 

The mother-daughter pair shares everything, it seems, including ownership of Jessica’s billion-dollar fashion empire, which includes sportswear, prom dresses, denim, shoes and more. “I couldn’t do this without my mom. We have the same eye,” Jessica says. “[She's] been my stylist since I was born.” 

The two approve every item in the Jessica Simpson line, down to the button. “It’s a three-step process,” Tina explains. “We see it at the beginning design stage. We’ll give our inspiration and our color palette. And then, mid-design, they bring to us what they’re working on, and then we have final approval.” 

When Jessica is busy with other commitments in Los Angeles, it’s Tina who jets to New York to do the dirty work. “The biggest thing … is we just don’t walk in and put Jessica’s name on something and walk away,” she explains. 

For Jessica’s part, having her mom on board couldn’t be better. “We get along great,” she says. “I feel like we’ve grown up together. Having a young mom has inspired my style.” And though she names fashion houses like Lanvin, Alexander McQueen and Valentino among her favorites, she vows to never charge designer prices for her duds. 

“All this looks expensive, and it doesn’t fall apart,” Jessica shares. “I don’t think we need to go there. Making it affordable for everybody is really where we’re at.”

Credit: PEOPLE (Kate Hogan)

Jessica Simpson: Fiance and I "Might Elope"

Although Jessica Simpson, 30, and love Eric Johnson got engaged last November -- her exes Tony Romo and Nick Lachey did, too -- she insists in Monday's Women's Wear Daily that she's in no rush.

"No date has been set," the singer and designer says of her wedding. She explains: "We've both been married before. We're enjoying our commitment to each other. We want to take our time."

Adds the uber-successful fashionista, who dated Johnson, 33, for less than 6 months before he popped the question: "I will be part of designing my own wedding gown. We might elope if it gets to that point."

The once-divorced star also opens up about how she met ex-NFL player and Yale grad Johnson, 33. "He was out with some of my friends, and I was at home. One of my friends said, 'You should come back to Jessica’s house.' He came to the door and said, 'This is Eric Johnson,' and I said, 'Who?' And he said he was coming to hang out."

Since then, she jokes: "I haven't let him leave the house. We got engaged at the house. It's one of those rare stories."

As close and she and her groom-to-be are, however, Simpson also says Johnson has no plans to become a Hollywood mover and shaker.

"No," she says regarding the possibility of Johnson helping out with her showbiz or fashion careers. "Eric's a great guy. He's taking art classes at UCLA. He's very artistic. It's nice to have an artistic athlete. You don't find that too much."

What's their dynamic like? "We're very relaxed," she says. "It takes a lot to get us stressed out. We talk through everything. You'll see him off in the corner, and what's Eric doing? He's just meditating."

Credit: Us Magazine

Jessica Simpson Arrives To New York Via JFK

Finished up with her visit to the east coast, Jessica Simpson readied for an outbound flight from JFK Airport in New York City on Friday (March 25).

The "Dukes of Hazzard" darling wore a big smile on her face as she toted her designer bag through the terminal after tending to a few business meetings in the Big Apple earlier in the day.

Credit: Celebrity Gossip

Single Ashlee Simpson Goes House-Hunting

First item on Ashlee Simpson's post-divorce checklist: find a new pad.

A source tells Us Magazine the singer-actress, 26, has been crashing at her parents' place since she filed for divorce from Pete Wentz February 9 (the Fall Out Boy rocker, 31, has been staying at their $4.5 million Beverly Hills home) and on Wednesday she seemed determined to change that.

Simpson spent the morning house-hunting with a real estate broker in the Beverly Hills area, a second insider says.

"They drove by a few houses in the $3 to 4 million range," the source tells Us. "Ashlee didn't get out of the car and was quiet and subdued. At one point, she was going to get out of the car but when she saw photographers she decided to stay in the car and then went home."

One criteria for Simpson's new spread is that it's suitable for her two-year-old son Bronx.

"The homes were two-story traditional style homes in a family neighborhood," says the source. "One of the houses was just up from the street from Coldwater Park where she and Pete like to take Bronx to play."

Another plus, adds the insider, "The homes were also very close to [sister] Jessica Simpson's house, which would be nice for her."

Credit: Us Magazine

Jessica Simpson’s Banned Exercise Video

Just when she thought it was safe to step off the treadmill, Jessica Simpson finds herself in a new battle over an exercise video she doesn’t want the public to see.

Radar Online has learned exclusively that the video Jessica starred in for Speedfit, which led to a protracted and bitter court battle, has been sold and the new owner plans to challenge legal rulings prohibiting its release.

“I bought rights to distribute the Jessica Simpson... exercise video from Alex Astilean. My intent is to re-edit it,” Ed Meyer told Radar Online exclusively.

“I believe that the NY Court's recent judgment in favor of Jessica Simpson is moot and has no teeth, and I believe that I can distribute the new video from California.”

Meyer also took a shot at Simpson, saying her weight would not have fluctuated over the years if she had followed the system featured on the video.

In a letter from Meyer to Simpson’s lawyers, seen by Radar Online, he contends: “While your client Jessica Simpson believes she has a valid New York court order preventing such a contract, she actually does not.”

Meyer is relying on technical arguments surrounding where one of Jessica’s businesses is actually registered to do business.

The controversial video was shot in 2005 but it took until May, 2010 for the legal dispute to be settled. That’s when Jessica won an arbitration ruling to keep the exercise video from being distributed – a huge hurdle for Meyer.

Speedfit LLC and its owner Alex Astilean were barred from using Simpson’s name and likeness to promote the video, which her team contended was not good enough to be sold. Astilean was ordered to pay Simpson’s business manager David Levin $50,000 for defamation.

As that court battle raged on some of the video was leaked, including one bizarre segment where Astillean asks Jessica: “Do you ever see horses doing a marathon?” Jessica stomped her foot twice to answer no. (We’re kidding! But Astillean really did ask that question.)

Other material leaked included a voice that allegedly is Levin’s making very unflattering comments about Jessica and her dad.

Credit: Radar Online

Jessica Simpson Arrives Back In Los Angeles

Finished up with a weeklong stay on the east coast, Jessica Simpson was spotted arriving on a flight at LAX Airport in Los Angeles on Saturday night (January 8).

Bundled up after leaving the bitter Big Apple weather behind, the "Do You Know?" darling flashed her glitzy engagement ring while passing through the terminal en route to an awaiting ride.

Credit: Celebrity Gossip

Jessica Simpson: Stylish in New York City

Looking ever-so-stylish, Jessica Simpson was spotted making her way around New York City on Friday afternoon (January 7).

Keeping warm with a capelet turtleneck sweater while toting her Prada leopard print bag, the "Newlyweds" babe was surrounded by staffers as she continues her Big Apple business efforts.

Credit: Celebrity Gossip

Jessica Simpson Leaves Her New York City Hotel

Having flown into town just last night, Jessica Simpson was spotted exiting her hotel in New York City on Wednesday morning (January 5).

Toting a leopard print bag and wearing a big smile on her face, the "Dukes of Hazzard" darling eased her way out to an awaiting car while being greeted by a crowd of gathered onlookers.

Credit: Celebrity Gossip

Jessica Simpson, Eric Johnson: Aspen New Year

Making for quite the momentous past year, Jessica Simpson and fiance Eric Johnson were out strolling the streets of Aspen, Colorado on Friday afternoon (December 31).

The recently engaged pair enjoyed their last moments of 2010 together, as the twosome walked hand in hand while bundled up for the Rocky mountain winter weather.

Credit: Celebrity Gossip

Jessica Simpson Lucky to Have "Stud" Fiance

Christmas came early for Jessica Simpson!

After ex-NFL player Eric Johnson popped the question in late November, the couple spent their first Christmas together with family and friends at Joe Simpson's L.A. home.

"I'm so grateful this holiday season!" Simpson, 30, tweeted Sunday. "Eric is the perfect addition to our family. We all stayed at my parents on Christmas Eve. We are lucky to have three new studs in the fam: Pete, BX, and EJ!"

On Tuesday, the duo traded sunshine for snowfall when they arrived in Aspen, Colorado. Shortly after settling into their private home, Simpson and Johnson, 32, ventured out to explore the city.

"She was in a good mood and seemed eager to shop," an eyewitness tells Us Magazine. "She walked straight over to Fendi where she spent a long time trying on coats and looking at bags."

Credit: Us Magazine

Jessica Simpson & Fiance's Aspen Retail Romp

Checking out some of the local shops, Jessica Simpson was spotted out and about in Aspen, Colorado last night (December 28).

The “With You” songstress was joined by her fiance Eric Johnson as she hit up the Fendi boutique with family and friends nearby.

Credit: Celebrity Gossip

Jessica Simpson's First Christmas With Fiance

Jessica Simpson had three special reasons to celebrate this Christmas.

"We are lucky to have 3 new studs in the fam: Pete, BX, and EJ!" the recently engaged star Tweeted Sunday, referring to her sister Ashlee's husband, nephew Bronx, 2, and her freshly minted fiancé.

Make that four: "Oh and I can't forget Bentley!!!" she added, alongside a photo of her snoozing canine cutie.

The family all stayed at Simpson's parents' house on Christmas Eve to celebrate the holiday. As for Johnson's first Christmas with the brood – the couple became engaged in November – Simpson, 30, said her free agent NFL player made her holiday a touchdown.

"Eric is the perfect addition to our family," she gushed on Twitter.

And Jessica wasn't the only Simpson caught up in the holiday spirit. Little sister Ashlee, 26, also took to Twitter to spread some Christmas cheer.

"Best day ever," she Tweeted. "I feel blessed to have so much joy, and amazing love in my life."

Credit: People

Jessica Simpson Building A $1 Billion Empire

With her southern charm and girl-next-door appeal, it’s hard to believe that Jessica Simpson is in fact a fashion powerhouse, sitting at the helm of a nearly $1 billion empire.

But with retail sales of her successful lifestyle brand totaling $750 million this year, that is precisely what her line of shoes, accessories, denim, swimwear, watches and fragrances have turned the newly-engaged star into, reports WWD. And her secret, according to Vince Camuto, founder and CEO of Camuto Group, the main licensee for Simpson-branded merchandise, is her approachability.

“People like her,” he tells WWD. “People look at her as a style icon.” So much so that Jess is broadening her brand even further, launching a contemporary sportswear line of stylish separates including jackets, woven and knit bottoms, as well as tops and dresses, all priced from $39 to $129.

“This new sportswear line reflects my evolving style, which combines comfort, femininity and flirty fun,” Jessica said in a statement. The new collection will be available at more than 650 specialty and department stores throughout the U.S. and Canada starting in the fall of 2011.

Credit: People

Ashlee Simpson-Wentz's Son Doubling His Gifts

Kids born around the holidays sometimes feel short-changed in the gift department. But it sounds like Bronx Mowgli Wentz doesn't need to worry.

The son of Pete Wentz and Ashlee Simpson-Wentz turned 2 on Nov. 20, but Ashlee says he'll still have a nice Christmas – though they'll have to branch out in terms of presents.

"He just had his birthday, and he got a lot of gifts," the pop singer, 26, told PEOPLE on Monday at an Alice & Olivia toy drive in West Hollywood. "He'll still have a great Christmas, and he's really into Thomas the Train, but we have enough Thomas, so we do not need that this year!"

As Bronx gets older and more aware, his parents are beginning to develop family routines around the holidays. "For my husband and I, it's nice to start those traditions now," Ashlee says. "What we're doing with the tree, what we did over Thanksgiving ... we actually had an amazing Thanksgiving with Peter's family."

Looking to the future, those traditions will also include sister Jessica Simpson's future husband, Eric Johnson. Their relationship, says Ashlee, is as festive as anything this season.

"She is genuinely very, very happy, and you go to their house and it's warm and cozy, and it's a good feeling," she says. "And he's just a good guy."

And if Eric and Jessica happen to add to the family in the next few years, so much the better. "Of course it would be wonderful if it happened," says Ashlee. "We were actually over there yesterday, and Jessica is a wonderful godmother, and aunt, so I know she would be a wonderful mother."

Credit: People

Jessica Simpson Spotted Out In New York City

Dressed for the chilly east coast temperatures, Jessica Simpson was spotted out and about in New York City on Monday (November 29).

The paparazzi caught up to the “Come On Over” singer as she headed into her Big Apple hotel donning a trendy gray winter coat paired with some gray knee-high boots.

Credit: Celebrity Gossip

Jessica Simpson: Fiance Hid Ring "In A Shoe"

Jessica Simpson's fiance Eric Johnson was super-sneaky planning his Nov. 11 proposal.

As Simpson, 30, explained during a Tuesday appearance on the Jimmy Fallon Show, Johnson, 31, was in cahoots with her parents Joe and Tina and her little sister Ashlee Simpson-Wentz about the impending moment.

"He had talked to my dad, he had talked to my mom, he even talked to my sister. Everybody knew but me!" Simpson said, adding her family kept the secret "for about three weeks."

As for her $150,000 ring? "He kept the ring hidden in a shoe at my house," the star said of the Neil Lane bauble, a 5-carat ruby (Simpson's birthstone) flanked by 3-carat diamonds.

When he finally popped the question, "It was at my house," Simpson said. "It was romantic that he actually asked me at my house, because that's my little safe haven."

The star will be spending Thanksgiving in NYC with her hubby-to-be -- and, for the first time, the native Texan will be doing it vegan style to please her health-conscious man.

"For Thanksgiving we have to make a Tofurkey!" Simpson said. "It doesn't sound right! It's gonna be jiggly and weird."

Credit: Us Magazine

Ashlee Psyched About Jessica's Engagement

How has Ashlee Simpson-Wentz been doing since hearing she'll be gaining a brother-in-law?

"Everything is so exciting!" Jessica Simpson's younger sister exclusively told E! News Tuesday when asked how she felt about big sis getting engaged to NFL alum Eric Johnson.

Well, that sounds about right.

Simpson-Wentz, who's been an old married lady for two-and-a-half years now, was also overheard gushing about son Bronx at the Solstice Sunglasses launch in Hollywood, telling a fellow guest, "He's getting so big!"

He sure is. Mom and dad Pete Wentz are already planning his second birthday party!

"It's going to be amazing," Ashlee told E! of the fiesta planned for this weekend at her parents' home in Encino.

Credit: E! Online

Jessica Simpson & Eric Johnson Are Engaged!

Jessica Simpson is off the market!

Sources confirm to Us Magazine that the singer, 30, became engaged to beau Eric Johnson on Thursday, just days after Us broke the news that her ex-husband, Nick Lachey, popped the question to Vanessa Minnillo, his love of nearly five years. Simpson and Lachey, 37, split in 2005, after three years of marriage.

On Saturday, Simpson flashed a sizable ring on her left hand during an appearance at Dillard's at Oak Park Mall in Kansas City.

The Texas native began dating the former NFL player in May while he was estranged from his first wife, stylist Keri Johnson; their divorce was finalized five months later.

Though Ashlee Simpson-Wentz recently told Us that her sister "is happy, so we're all really happy," sources insist that most of Simpson's friends are concerned about Johnson's motives for dating the singer.

"Eric was never that successful in the NFL, but he's always wanted the celebrity lifestyle," a source told Us in October. "Her friends do not trust him."

Credit: Us Magazine

Jessica Simpson 'Happy' For Nick Lachey

Jessica Simpson is wishing ex-husband Nick Lachey all the best in his second shot at marriage.

"I am extremely, extremely happy for him," the singer-actress, 30, told Ryan Seacrest on his KIIS-FM radio show Thursday. "I couldn't be more happy for Nick."

Simpson dismissed rumors that she wasn't thrilled to hear that Lachey, 37, got engaged this month to girlfriend Vanessa Minnillo, 30.

"I don't know where all those rumors came from," she said. "My mom actually called me and told me that everybody was saying that I was 'saddened.' And I was just in complete shock."

She added: "You know, our relationship was over a really long time ago, so it would be nice if everybody could move on with us and really just celebrate the love between him and Vanessa. I do, and I wish them nothing but the best."

Simpson and Lachey split in 2005 after three years of marriage. Lachey and Minnillo began dating the following year.

Credit: People