Simpson picks up the pieces and moves on

After a vocal miscue, Simpson has brought her career to the next level.
By JOHN BENSON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
The journey of Ashlee Simpson continues. After 2004's memorable "Is it live or Memorex?" moment during an appearance on "Saturday Night Live" where her use of a vocal track was exposed, Simpson, the younger sister of blond vamp Jessica, found herself at a crossroads of fame.
The spotlight was blinding. As the press ripped her, Simpson could have pulled back -- a la Fiona Apple after her concert meltdown -- but instead she went on tour in support of her debut release "Autobiography" and its single "Pieces of Me." When she looks back now, Simpson feels that decision was her first step toward independence.
"When I had my beautiful moment, my few moments [in 2004], my really exciting moments, I went on tour and that was for my fans and not for anyone else," said Simpson, calling from a tour stop in Myrtle Beach, S.C. "Ever since then, I haven't stopped working so I think I overcame that quite a while ago ... well, I know I overcame that quite a while ago."
She added, "It was good for me to keep fighting and keep pushing and I think that's really the best way for anybody to do it in any situation in their life where you had a mistake or whatever it may be. You live through it."
In living to see another day, Simpson quickly released her sophomore album "I Am Me" nearly a year to the day after the "Saturday Night Live" gaffe. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard charts with hit singles "La La" and "Boyfriend" following. In the meantime, she's more notable for what hasn't happened. After the whirlwind year before, Simpson has quietly -- as in no bad press, no vocal mishaps -- settled into her career as just another pop artist on the radio.
Whereas a perfect paparazzi storm of affairs, innuendoes and divorce has become her sister's life, Simpson has for the most part avoided any press outside of her music.
"Yeah, absolutely," Simpson said. "It's been a brand-new year filled with absolutely no drama. It's wonderful."
As for sister Jessica, whom she hopes to work with one day on an album or tour, the 21-year-old said, "It's definitely a difficult time for her right now but I think it's cool because my mom raised us to not dwell on things like that. She holds herself together very well. So I'm proud of her and I respect her."
Playing in Pittsburgh
Currently Simpson is nearing the end of her touring cycle for "I Am Me" with a date Saturday at Chevrolet Amphitheatre in Pittsburgh. Her set list includes all of her hits, including new track "Invisible," and such covers as "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" by the Eurythmics and "Why Don't You Do Right?" by Peggy Lee.
"The set is just fun and there's a lot of changes and whatnot," Simpson said. "It's one of those bring-your-dancing-shoes concerts."
It remains to be seen what's next for Simpson, who started out performing as a ballerina before hitting the road as a backup dancer for Jessica. From there, the acting bug bit her with appearances on "Malcolm in the Middle" and "Saved By the Bell," as well as a continuing role on "7th Heaven."
Simpson said while a return in front of the camera could happen -- she's currently reading scripts -- her first love remains the music industry, where she's sold more than 6 million copies of her first two albums.
One thing is for sure: she's going to take her time in writing her next album and enjoy life for a while.
"I think you never know what's going to happen," Simpson said. "Life always throws curves at you and I was just kind of along for the ride. It's been a good one so far. I have no complaints."