Jessica Simpson
Discovering Beauty from Within
By Maria Orlando Pietromonaco

There aren't many celebrities who can traverse the venues of music, fashion, and entertainment with such zeal and prowess, and at such a young age. Jessica Simpson is a talented artist blessed with global appeal that transcends age and gender, and though the media adore her - she has adorned the covers of Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, Harper's Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, and more - they have also put her through the wringer over the course of her career.

Her charm and likeability stem from her innocent naivety and genuine vulnerability. Her fans connect with her because she is real, and her words and actions are often candid and spontaneous (sometimes to a fault). Born and raised just outside of Dallas, Texas, Jessica started her musical career at a ripe age, catching the attention of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola. In 1999 she made her debut with Sweet Kisses and quickly captured the hearts of listeners. She has evolved into a gifted songwriter and entertainer, and lifted her status of teeny-bop idol to a respected artist. Her multi-faceted talent proliferated onto the Hollywood scene, with stints on That 70's Show, MTV's reality show Newlyweds, Nick & Jessica, and the role as Daisy Duke in The Dukes of Hazard, among others

In 2005 Jessica dipped her fingers into fashion industry when she launched the Jessica Simpson collection. She has proven to be a successful designer and business woman with a collection that includes footwear, handbags, glasses & sunglasses, lingerie, jewelry, and more. Jessica added a fragrance to her repertoire, "Fancy," which has received a warm welcome from consumers

Jessica, who will turn 30 this July, has endured some deep lashes by the press this last year alone. Aside from the highly publicized divorce from Nick Lachey back in 2006, her breakup with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo has become the talk of the town, in addition to the comments divulged by John Mayer about their sex life in Playboy.

After an insignificant weight gain - barely five extra pounds - she has been criticized about her weight and appearance. After being shredded by the press for so long and for so many reasons, she has been forced into maturity and grace, and is fighting back with philanthropy and a huge positive attitude.

"It's so trying, because daily women are obsessed with the way that they look and what they see when they look in the mirror," Jessica told USA Today. "A majority of women who would have gone through what I went through this year ... being a public embarrassment, I don't think they could have handled it. I was on tour (with Rascal Flatts), and I had to get up on stage every night and just know that people were looking to see whether I was fat or not. You walk by 10 magazine covers and it's you and these stupid jeans.

On a recent appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Jessica spoke openly about those jeans - a high-waisted pair she wore on tour that sparked a series of unflattering photos. "It was really like having therapy in front of the entire world with the best therapist," she says. "It was things that I had thought of, but it's not stuff that I had said out loud. It was really intense."

As part of her newfound philosophy about image and self-esteem, Jessica launched an original series called "The Price of Beauty" this past March on VH1. Jessica, along with her two best friends, Ken Paves and CaCee Cobb, set off around the world - to Japan, Thailand, France, Brazil, Uganda, Morocco and India - to meet everyday women and observe their views, traditions and practices of beauty. Throughout the series, Jessica discovers local fashions, dietary fads, and native beauty practices in these foreign cultures.

She recently told the Daily News: "Outward beauty is an easy thing to become obsessed with in our society," she said. "I haven't always had an inner confidence. I haven't always looked at my reflection and loved it, because there was always something I wanted to fix, because someone always looked better. This journey was about finding something that was beautiful inside of me and knowing that I own it. And it's unique and rare."

Jessica had the opportunity to learn about the lengths women will go to to feel beautiful. On a trip to Thailand she met women who wanted to lighten their skin color, with one woman in particular severely scarred by the dangerous bleaching treatment. A visit to Uganda revealed a tribal ritual of pre-wedding weight gain. "I was so moved by the eight cultures I explored for my new show," Jessica said. "The women I met were so incredibly different in their customs and traditions but there was a common thread between them in their beauty. I was inspired to write the theme song for the show to reflect what I observed- that there is a unique beauty that lies within each of us, flaws and all. Our hearts, our souls, our passions are what make us each beautiful."

Since 2003, Jessica has served as Smile Ambassador for Operation Smile, and has helped spread awareness for children around the world born with facial deformities. In collaboration with Operation Smile, Jessica will launch a new initiative called A Beautiful Me, a movement that will encourage young people to believe in themselves and give them the courage to help change the world.

After the emotional roller coaster ride she has been on throughout recent years, Jessica has finally come into her own and says she's in "a better place." "I think that we have to take the negative part of our lives and find some positive change. My reason is to be able to stand up for women around the world." IMAGE