Vegas, baby, Vegas. Epicenter of high rollers, free-flowing booze,
and…virgins? Though the juxtaposition may be striking, that’s where we catch
up with Jessica Simpson, the 21-year-old singing sensation who’s gained as
much attention for her purity as her elastic vocal stylings. A veteran of the
teen-pop wars, Jessica is no stranger to wicked behavior, but this Texas
preacher’s daughter has maintained an image purer than spring water. Luckily,
male fans have spotted some steam rising from that spring with the release of
her latest album, Irresistible, which Jessica has supported with a couple
of suggestive, flesh-baring videos. Still, even ensconced in a plush Sin City
suite, she convinces us that she’s not about to give it up (her good girl
image, that is) quite yet. Don’t worry, Jessica. We’ll wait for you.
Are you shooting for a sexier image with this album?
Well, it’s not like I sat down and said, “I’ve got to change my image.”
I’m just more grown-up now, and I’ve become more sophisticated. I don’t
think I’m any different than any other 21-year-old.
Do you feel sexier?
My sexiness comes from a newfound confidence. When you’re younger, you
struggle with self-esteem, especially when pictures of you are everywhere. Once
you feel that you’ve grown into your body and your mind, your confidence level
goes a lot higher. I think my sexiness exudes from that. There are always people
who think, Oh, that’s too sexy, and others that think, Oh, it’s
not sexy enough. But it’s most important to satisfy yourself.
Do you see more guys in your audiences now?
Yeah, there are lots of guys. In fact, I’ve gotten a lot of marriage proposals
in the last year. One even happened onstage! There’s this part in my show
where I pull a guy out of the audience and sing to him. And right in front of
thousands of people, this guy dropped to one knee and proposed! He had this
whole speech prepared. I was, like, Oh, my God! What do I do right now?
So I just sort of gave him a hug and kept going.
Pretty big consolation prize. How does that rank on the
performance-embarrassment meter?
I’m really clumsy, so I trip and fall a lot. And every time I perform in New
York my pants split onstage. That’s happened four or five times. Every time, I
pull on my mom’s jeans as fast as I can, so there we are, standing backstage
without our pants on. It’s like a curse.
We saw a photo of you wearing a Van Halen T-shirt. Are you a closet metalhead?
No, I was never really a metalhead. But my cousins were, and I thought they were
pretty cool.
Did you worship Madonna, like most other female pop singers claim?
I was more into Amy Grant. I listened to Madonna, but I never owned any of her
CDs or anything. She was a little risqué for a preacher’s daughter, you know
what I mean? [laughs]
But a lot of preachers’ kids are wild. Did you ever get into
trouble?
I got my driver’s license suspended when I was 17 for getting eight tickets in
two months. After I signed a record deal, I got a red BMW, and I guess it was a
little too fast for me.
Still, you didn’t exactly run with a fast crowd in high school.
Well, I sure wasn’t in the popular group, because I didn’t party and do all
that stuff. Most girls hated me. They toilet-papered my house, egged my door,
everything. It’s funny, but it’s almost always the case that those people
end up working at Hooters, and the outsiders end up doing something really
interesting with their lives.
Do you think their attitudes might have had something to do with the fact
that you developed early?
I remember when I was in fifth or sixth grade, my mom was, like, “Jessica, you
have to wear a bra,” and I’d say, “But people are going to make fun of
me!” So I’d wear a sports bra, all the way until junior high. Then I
couldn’t hide them anymore. Guys would talk to me and never look me in the
face. And they still keep me from wearing things that I’d like to. I just
can’t fit into some things without showing too much cleavage.
You auditioned for the new Mickey Mouse Club along with Britney Spears
and Christina Aguilera, right?
Yeah, when was 12. I made it all the way to the finals, then got up there and
just froze. I was so devastated I thought my life was over. But looking back,
I’m glad I didn’t get it, because I got to go back home and have a normal
childhood.
There are lyrics on Irresistible that go, “I know I meant to say no,
but he’s irresistible…” and then there’s also a gospel song. We’re
getting mixed signals here.
Abstinence for me is about romance. It has nothing to do with my relationship
with God. It’s definitely a bonus in that department, but it’s nothing
spiritual. It’s about giving something special to that person you’re going
to spend the rest of your life with. You know, it’s going to be so weird once
I do get married, because everyone’s going to be wondering about what’s
going on that first night.
Maybe you should consider promoting it as a pay-per-view special.
Are you crazy? Heck no! God, that’s funny.
You were involved with Nick Lachey of the boy band 98°, but now you’re
single again. Enjoying the freedom on tour?
I thought that I’d like dating and talking to other guys, but it’s just not
me. I’m a relationship kind of girl. I hate having to walk with a swish in my
hips to make a guy turn around or something. I mean, I’m a flirt, but I
don’t like to hit on guys.
Are you comfortable around men?
In general I like hanging out with guys more than girls. Guys are never
competitive with you or giving you the evil eye from across the room. I’m kind
of the opposite of most girls, because when I’m going out with other girls I
have to wear my best outfit and a push-up bra. If I’m hanging out with a guy,
I can throw on old jeans and a sweatshirt and be totally comfortable.
What kind of fellas do you go for?
They have to be sensitive. I mean, a guy should be able to cry at a sad movie.
He also has to be passionate, because I think passion is very sexy. Not just
about me, but about his family, work, life, whatever. I love eyes and lips, but
more than anything I like a guy who can light up a room when he walks in. Who
has confidence.
What’s your weakness?
Love letters. Just getting a note here and there, a little something hidden
under the pillow or whatever. Even if it’s just two lines. That’s better
than spending tons of money on me or taking me someplace fancy.
How can a guy ruin a date with you?
You know that movie where the guy says if he picks up a girl in his car and she
doesn’t unlock the door for him as he walks around to the driver’s side, he
dumps her? Well, I have one for the girls: If a guy takes you to dinner and
orders before you do, forget him! [laughs]
Are you the jealous type?
Not really, but if I like a guy and he’s flirting with another girl right in
front of me, that’s another story! It doesn’t control me or anything, but I
am the kind of girl who will look through my boyfriend’s cell phone for
girls’ names and ask questions if I find them.
When the teen-pop craze crashes and burns, what do you see in your future?
I’m ready to just sing. I think people are getting over the cheesiness of pop
and are looking for more honesty, and that’s where I want to go. I can’t
wait to do more ballads. I don’t want to dance around anymore and do routines.
It’s fun, but that takes away from my voice. I’m ready to just stand on the
stage and sing my butt off.
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