Ashlee Nicole Wentz (née Simpson; born October 3, 1984 in Waco, Texas), is an American recording artist and actress. Simpson, who is the younger sister of pop singer Jessica Simpson, rose to prominence in mid-2004 through the success of her number-one debut album Autobiography and the accompanying reality series The Ashlee Simpson Show. She was raised in Richardson, Texas. She is the second daughter of Tina Ann (née Drew) and Joe Truett Simpson, a former Baptist youth minister who is now her manager. Ashlee attended Prairie Creek Elementary. Simpson began studying classical ballet at the age of three eventually becoming an accomplished dancer, and was admitted to the School of American Ballet in New York City at the age of eleven, a year in advance. Around that time, she suffered from an eating disorder; the condition lasted about six months, but her parents then stepped in and got her the help she needed to overcome the issue. After her sister Jessica Simpson landed a record deal, the Simpson family decided to move to Los Angeles, California, where Ashlee began appearing in television commercials. When her older sister Jessica became a star after releasing her first album, Ashlee became one of her backup dancers. Ashlee received widespread notoriety when she attempted to lip-sync with a pre-recorded vocal track on Saturday Night Live in October 2004. Following a North American concert tour and a film appearance, Simpson released a second number-one album, I Am Me, in October 2005. Her third album, Bittersweet World, was released in April 2008. The following month, she married musician Pete Wentz and announced that they were expecting a child. On November 20, 2008, Simpson-Wentz gave birth to their son, Bronx Mowgli Wentz. After finishing her run in Chicago Simpson-Wentz stated in an interview that she was going to take a break to spend time with her son. She also stated that she is ready to record her fourth studio album, and has been listening to bands on her husband's record label for inspiration. She did however say she will continue acting, but wishes to play comedy roles in the future. At a red carpet event, Simpson confirmed that she is back in the recording studio working on her fourth album. During an interview with Paper magazine, Simpson-Wentz stated that the new album would have a “folk feel” and that she is also creating a fashion line.
