Surfing around the web today, I stumbled across an interview and story in the Press-Enterprise about Jessica Simpson. In the story, Simpson talked with reporter Vanessa Franko about how her gospel music background influenced her. “You sing from a place of prayer, a place of hope. I think that’s one thing gospel music definitely instilled in me — the faith and the hope and being able to stand up on stage with courage,” Simpson said.
I think it’s easy to forget that Jessica Simpson started out in Christian music. Her manager dad was a pastor, and Simpson was probably a lot like many Christian teens today – church, youth group, church camp.
Her performing career started when, after doing the dance competition circuit, she auditioned for “The Mickey Mouse Club,” losing out to future stars Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and Justin Timberlake.
She went on to get an invitation to contribute to a gospel album, and then at age 15, she scored a record deal with a fledgling label, Proclaim Records. But as is so common in the music industry, once the album was finished the label folded. She went the indie route, releasing the album with money given to her by her grandmother and then hit the Christian festival and event circuit with her dad. He spoke, she sang. They sold albums after the show.
They pitched the album to Christian record labels. She’s been reported as saying that they turned her down because of her curvy figure, which would “cause guys to lust”. I don’t know if that’s true, but remember, back in the late 90s, the industry was a lot less open to mainstream-copy cat acts. It had only been a decade since Amy Grant crossed over to mainstream, garnering a lot of negative feedback from the industry. (I’m not sure they’ve forgiven her yet.) Knowing how slow Christian music is to adapt to trends, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Simpson’s buxom, blonde beauty was a red flag for Christian music back then.
No problem. Music legend Tommy Mottola heard her music, signed her to Columbia, and the rest is history.
I’m not a huge fan of Jessica Simpson’s music, but I really do like her. She’s goofy, she’s got that dumb blonde thing going on, but I think she’s a lot smarter than she lets on. And she’s never shied away from where she got her start. A lot of mainstream artists who started out singing in church kind of forget to mention that in their bios. Not Simpson. She is who she is, and you can either take it or leave it.
Simpson is currently on tour promoting her current country album, Do You Know. She says about her move to country music, and to Nashville:
“Coming to Nashville and to country music was both a test and a leap of faith for me. But in this place of honesty and trust and hope, I’ve discovered so many things I left behind along the way. I’ve come back to who I was growing up. I believe if you follow your heart and be quiet, you will find the answers, you will find yourself. I found myself in this record. ‘Do You Know’ is a song and a metaphor for my life right now. Do you know who I really am?”
Reminds me of Proverbs 22:6.
You can read Jessica Simpson’s bio on her website.
posted November 13, 2008 at 11:09 am
Also not a fan of her music, but I do like the way she seems to jinx the Dallas Cowboys!
posted November 14, 2008 at 2:48 am
Her first two albums each had a gospel song on it. She should try it again since country was a dud.
posted November 16, 2008 at 9:42 am
If Simpson has such a strong religious background..she must have forgotten it! Why would she be plastered all over the magazine stands almost every month in such revealing and provacative clothing? Being a preachers daughter, what does her dad think of such unethical and immoral escapades? or letting it *all hang out in “The Dukes of Hazard”. etc. She’s forgotten God…AND her roots..or perhaps it was all about money and fame..as many churches & circuit preachers ARE today. re: “traveling the Christian festival and event circuit with her dad”. Singing about, and or for, Christ then going out to show off all your body parts to the world, along with a smile as big as Texas to show how proud she is of it, seems to me to be extremely hypocritical.
posted November 16, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Meemie said much of what I was thinking. I agree with her.As Christians we are to look to the Bible for guidance. We are the light of the world, the salt of the earth. Dressing provocative etc is not a good wholesome message.The Bible speaks of a woman dressing modestly. I do not wish to throw stones as I certainly can improve in my Christian walk as well.I do think that Christians in the spotlight but walk carefully knowing that the world is watching especially if you are professing to be a Christian. The world is all around us…luring us…let us remember that we are simply pilgrims in this world…and that we have an eternal home. Our chief end is not to please ourselves, but to please God.
posted November 17, 2008 at 8:57 am
Or maybe, meemie, like many many Christians, she went down the wrong road and is finding her way back?
Joanne
host of the GS blog
posted November 17, 2008 at 9:27 am
I like Jessica,as for her making the Cowboys loose.Rob Garretson needs to look at there record,in 2 years they have only lost 30 % of there games.
posted November 17, 2008 at 11:19 am
Well, John, I didn’t see her at Fed Ex Field last night, unfortunately. And what is “there” record in playoff games over the last two (17, actually) years? …
posted November 25, 2008 at 10:03 pm
What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, but lose his own soul. Is it worth it?
posted November 28, 2008 at 3:29 am
I’m not sure why Miss Simpson is mentioned here actually. She did record a “Christian” album but it was never released. I heard one of the songs – it has a video too – on YouTube and was really disappointed. She really wasn’t ready then – the voice just wasn’t there.
She also curses at live venues, which is not language I would want my children to hear!! (Again, this stuff is on YouTube, so if you don’t believe me, go check it out)
I’m always saddened when a person loses sight of God. When I first heard of her music, I was so excited. “A Believer in Hollywood. yay!”. I even prayed that she wouldn’t be changed by the atmosphere, suddenly having all that money… but she did. I can’t find anything to admire about her anymore.
I don’t say this in any way but a sad one – I think she lacked a real, solid foundation. Jessica now proudly announces at every venue that her boyfriend, Tony Romo, is “Home in [her] bed”. She said they “pray together before [they] go to bed” (huh?). She’s talked about passing gas under the sheets and that Tony doesn’t mind, That’s heartbreaking – bragging about sleeping with a man she is not married to. And if you take the Bible literally, and Nick Lachey did not commit adultery (the one reason given in Scripture for divorce to be allowed), then she is committing adultery.
I don’t understand the woman – I have a good half dozen other examples (one was a personal one – she was HORRIBLE to a sweet, lovely friend of mine who waited on her table in Oklahoma City) I’d love to think she is “finding her way back”. But she just isn’t. We can’t have it both ways. We are in this world but not of it. I just mention all of these things because I don’t want a 16 year old young lady to see this article, think, “This music will be OK! Jessica is a Christian!” and look to her as a role model. I am NOT saying Simpson isn’t saved! She very well may be (we are known by our fruits – i don’t see much but I’m hardly hanging out with her). But having discussed sleeping with both Romo and John Mayer doesn’t leave her with much of a helpful testimony.
posted November 28, 2008 at 3:34 am
And I’m offended by the use of the Proverbs verse – I think “Pastor” Joe Simpson has caused a good 80% of his daughters’ problems. He’s a scary guy. This is not the way “a child should go”.