The rumors in May were correct! Jessica Simpson has signed on to star in a new reality series. Only the fancypants at VH1 are calling the show a “docu-series”. Lovely. Other than that, the report from May was pretty accurate – the show will be called The Price of Beauty, and cameras will follow Jessica and some of her friends as they travel the world, “talking to everyday women about the lengths they go for beauty, while investigating — and even participating in — some of their dietary fads, beauty regimens and apparel.” Do you think producers will make Jess wear a burqa? Do you think they’ll bind her feet? Do you think they’ll let the cameras go into the room for Jess’s Brazilian wax?

Jessica released a statement saying how happy she was to sign on for the show, and to her credit, it’s actually a really nice, thoughtful statement. Jess says that she’s always believed that “beauty comes from within and confidence will always make a woman beautiful.” Must. Not. Snark. Seriously, good for Jessica. She needed a career change. Trying her hand at country-western music at the local chili cook-offs wasn’t doing her any favors:

Ever since she performed at a Florida concert last February in high-waisted “mom jeans” that made her the target of scrutiny by body bullies, Jessica Simpson has continued to be critiqued about her figure and her weight. And now it’s her turn to do the scrutinizing in her new VH1 docu-series called The Price of Beauty.

Starting in July, Jessica will travel the globe talking to everyday women about the lengths they go for beauty, while investigating — and even participating in — some of their dietary fads, beauty regimens and apparel.

“When [I was approached] for a show about true beauty, I was immediately intrigued,” Jessica said in a statement. “I have always believed that beauty comes from within and confidence will always make a woman beautiful, but I know how much pressure some women put on themselves to look perfect. I am really looking forward to discovering how beauty is perceived in different cultures and participating in some of the crazy things people do to feel beautiful. I know we will all learn a lot on this journey.”

Simpson seems to have moved past the criticism targeted at her earlier in the year, and is looking forward to the next chapter in her career.

“Jessica is so excited to start shooting the show,” says a source close to the pop star. “She has been doing research into some of the insane things people do to try to make themselves more beautiful and she is shocked. She thinks it will be fun to try some of them.”

[From People]

Part of the reason I feel for Jessica is that whenever something good happens for her, there are always signposts of coming dangers. While The Price of Beauty sounds like an interesting concept, and will probably be a half-decent show, the coming danger is the same as it’s always been: Pervert Papa Joe Simpson. Papa Joe is executive producing The Price of Beauty for Jessica – I guess because he’s done such a bang-up job with her career thus far? Need I type “chili cook-off” again? However, MTV is also reporting that Jessica is an executive producer as well. Maybe things will work out for my girl. Here’s hoping.

Jessica is shown out in NY on 6/9/09 and out with Tony Romo at a Lakers game in LA on 6/4/09. Credit: WENN.com