Simpson, Jessica (1980– )

US pop artist. Initially known for her innocent image and Christian music, she became better known, with her pop singer husband Nick Lachey (1973– ), as the subject of the MTV reality show Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica . Her R&B- and soul-inspired pop albums include Sweet Kisses (1999), featuring the singles ‘I Wanna Love You Forever’ and ‘I Think I'm In Love With You’, Irresistible (2001), featuring a hit single of the same name, and In This Skin (2003).

She was born in Dallas, Texas, and grew up in the small town of Richardson. She sang with her church choir and recorded an album of gospel songs for Proclaim Records, although the label went bankrupt before the album could be released. After singing on a Christian Youth Concert tour, she sold her home-produced album and began to earn a following of not only Christian but also mainstream pop music fans. She later met record producer Tommy Mottola who signed her with Columbia Records and produced Sweet Kisses (1999). After touring with boy band 98° she married Lachey, one of its members, in 2002. She appeared on several episodes of the popular US sitcom That 70s Show before featuring in her own reality series.