Jessica Simpson On Her Sister Ashlee: "She Was The Cool One, I Was Doing What People Told Me"

Jessica and Ashlee Simpson have always had different approaches to fame. While Jessica took the early-2000s pop princess route, Ashlee leaned into her own grungier, rebellious style. But in a new conversation for The Cut, the sisters reflected on how their careers were shaped by those differences—and how their bond helped them navigate the highs and lows of the music industry.

"You Were the Cool One"

Looking back on the early days of her career, Jessica, now 44, admitted that she didn’t always feel like she had control over her own music. “You were the cool one,” she told Ashlee. “I was doing what other people were telling me to do because it was radio-friendly, and it was the only way my name would be heard.”

Ashlee, now 40, remembers watching her sister struggle under the weight of industry expectations—pressures that dictated how she looked, sounded, and even acted in public. Seeing that firsthand influenced Ashlee’s own career choices. “I saw so much of that, and I was like, ‘Oh no, f— that. I’m never going to be that,’” she said. Instead, she embraced a more alternative sound, one that was unapologetically her own.

Jessica’s Self-Rediscovery

For Jessica, breaking free from those industry molds took time. She was once the go-to example of a squeaky-clean pop star, but she’s spent the last few years reclaiming her voice—literally and figuratively. One of the biggest turning points? Giving up alcohol in 2017. “Once I gave up the alcohol, the fears just diminished. They went away,” she shared. That shift helped her reconnect with her true artistic self, leading her to start writing music that felt more personal and raw.

Now, she’s channeling that self-discovery into her upcoming EP, "Nashville Canyon Part 1," set to drop on March 21. Inspired by her life experiences—including her recent split from husband Eric Johnson—the project marks a new chapter in her career. The lead single, "Use My Heart Against Me," released today, February 21, gives fans a taste of the deeply personal songwriting that defines the record.

A Possible Collaboration?

Ashlee, who has been more focused on family and personal projects in recent years, couldn’t be prouder of Jessica’s latest work. She raved about her sister’s new music, calling it “delicious and yummy and honest.”

And while the sisters have always taken different creative paths, they hinted that a collaboration might not be out of the question. “Our tones really vibrate well together,” Ashlee said. “There’s definitely a world where there could be a Jessica and Ashlee record, for sure.”

Sisters First

Despite the pressures of fame, the Simpson sisters have always had each other’s backs. Their careers may have unfolded differently, but their mutual respect and admiration have remained constant. From Jessica’s Nashville rebirth to Ashlee’s steadfast commitment to her own artistic vision, they’ve each forged their own paths—while never straying too far from home.

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