Is Jessica Simpson putting on weight again? Perhaps the engagement rumors just went to her head. Though Simpson adamantly swears that she and Tony Romo are not engaged, she seems to be proving that long-running joke true about women letting themselves go once they secure a man. Simpson looked shockingly ragged last week in Dallas. So much so you’d think she were a regular person instead of one of the most photographed celebs in the world.

Simpson also confirmed to People that she is not in fact engaged to Tony Romo, but her football curse is stronger than ever. After breaking Tony’s finger yesterday… um I mean after Tony broke his finger during a Cowboy’s game yesterday, it was rumored (by me) that Jessica planned to sedate him using some painkillers and drag him down the aisle before he could run away. Until someone pointed out that fingers are on the hand, not the foot.

Jessica Simpson says she could have never dragged her NFL star boyfriend Tony Romo shopping for engagement rings. The same can now be said for pinky rings.

Romo, a quarterback for the Cowboys, busted the little finger on his right hand Sunday in an overtime loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Romo, 28, who throws with his right hand, will be out for four weeks.

The injury came as Simpson, 28, shot down rumors she checked out engagement rings with Romo.

“We are not engaged!” she tells Entertainment Tonight. “Tony and I have not gone to Neiman Marcus – somebody said we bought a ring there. I couldn’t drag Tony in to Neiman Marcus if I tried.”

[From People]

Here’s Jessica in Dallas on Thursday. Images thanks to Fame.

There are a lot of things I don’t think of when I hear the name Jessica Simpson. I don’t think of intellect. I don’t think of grace. I don’t think of talent. The first things that generally pop into my mind are boobs, hair, and trout pout. Because even when her lips aren’t inflated with Gore-tex, she still makes this duckish faux trout pout expression all the time. But of all the things I think of when Jessica Simpson invades my mind, never ever do I think of style.

Unless you want to talk about when she went brunette. And then spent months as a shade of carroty orange. Or more recently, I think of all the frumpy outfits she’s been donning on her country music album promotion. But apparently I’m totally wrong, because Jessica is now being honored for her style.

Despite Jessica Simpson’s profuse claims that she’s just a Texan girl who loves being in jeans and a T-shirt, the songstress is being hailed for her hot and unique fashion style.

Pop Tarts has been told that Simpson will be honored as a Hollywood Style Original (both for her personal style and as demonstrated by her line of shoes, accessories, fragrance and apparel) at next weekend’s 5th Annual Hollywood Style Awards presented by Nikon.

[From Pop Tarts]

Boy that awards show must be all kinds of desperate. When you’re this desperate, it’s time to cancel the show, not throw some B.S. award at a singer that would show up to the opening of an envelope anyway.

Best case scenario, Jessica’s style is average. And that’s with a lot of help. There is nothing exceptional about it. Even Katie Holmes and her baggy cuffed man jeans started a trend (though I wish they hadn’t). You could argue that just about anyone who starts trends or just is known for her clothes and/or accessories has style. Who in the world would lump Jessica Simpson into that category?

Here are a couple of great examples of Jessica’s amazing style over the last few years. Some of these really aren’t that bad, but there’s nothing indicative of style. Images thanks to PR Photos, WENN, Fame, and Splash.

I’ve decided that my Jessica Simpson tolerance has reached its absolute limit. I cannot understand how someone so stupid and senseless can actually function in our society – and yet she manages to do that – and get a lot of money for it too. Last night Simpson was mobbed at Madeo – not exactly where you go when you want a nice, quiet dinner. But that’s exactly what she did, and then proceeded to act like a moron.

Was last night just slow for celeb shutterbugs, or is there a renewed interest in Jessica Simpson after she and Tony Romo were spotted ring shopping?

Either way, the paps were out in full force when the Southern singer had dinner at Madeo with former assistant Cacee Cobb.

The two lookalike blondes could barely make it through the swarm of snappers to their car.

When she finally reached her ride, she yelled, “Take me back to Nashville!” to the crowd.

Nashville, interested?

[From E! News]

Um…. No? May I speak for Nashville? Not only does this make no sense whatsoever, but it’s so freaking cheesy. I’m assuming Simpson was implying that the car should take her some place less crowded and paparazzi-filled (though that requires Simpson to be capable of something as subtle as an implication, which I don’t think she is). But that’s the only reason a celeb would go to a restaurant like that anyway, so don’t show up and then act like you were hoping for a quiet meal.

Here’s Jessica last night, mobbed at Madeo. Images thanks to WENN.

People have been wondering when/if Jessica Simpson and Tony Romo would get engaged. The pair seem to have had a rocky relationship, though Romo’s been fairly quiet about it. By most accounts he dumped her right before little sister Ashlee got married – but somehow she (or her dad) talked him into coming back. I assumed it was a temporary reconciliation, meant to make Jessica look a little less uncomfortable than she would if she showed up to her younger sister’s wedding stag. But the pair have been back together for several months now, and the Chicago Sun-Times’ Bill Zwecker is reporting that they’re likely getting engaged soon.

I’m all about romance today — at least for starters: One of my best Dallas snoops just happened to be in the original Neiman Marcus in Big D, shortly after Jessica Simpson and main man and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo were in the store checking out big sparklers — the kind women wear on their left-hand ring finger.

I’m hearing the couple are talking about a winter wedding. Dallas fans can relax. The happy twosome are said to be planning to tie the knot well after the end of the NFL season, including the Super Bowl — should the Cowboys make it to the big game in Tampa, Fla.

[From the Chicago Sun-Times]

I’m not sure how I feel about the idea of these two getting married. Though they rarely ask for my opinion or my advice, which I find sorta rude. Jessica has always seemed super into the relationship – but then again, she seems that way about every guy she dates. Something about Romo has always seemed less into it. Maybe it’s all the reports that he can’t deal with the overbearing Simpson family. And who could blame him – would you really want Joe Simpson in the cabana next door on your Mexican vacation? Though Tony doesn’t say a lot about the relationship, his friends sure do, and no one seems to be wild about the two of them together.

While he’s dated other famous women (Carrie Underwood), he doesn’t seem like a fame chaser. I’d think if he’s been with Jessica this long, he must have some real feelings for her, and that ring really may end up on her finger.

Here’s Jessica and Tony out in Dallas on May 26th. Images thanks to Fame.

Jessica Simpson and Tony Romo are shown out in Dallas on 5/26/08. Credit: Fame

Jessica Simpson has reached the point where talking about her bodily functions and the state of her wonderful relationship is not going to get her additional publicity. (Despite the fact that we’re talking about it. Damn her.) She needs to step it up a notch and start talking about her sex life, maybe add some details that skirt the fine line between raunchy and moderately interesting. It’s just not entertaining to hear this girl overshare, but she does get some credit for managing to keep her name in the press through verbal diarrhea. Case in point - she told People that she farts in bed and can belch her ABCs. Then she added that she just loves to cuddle up with her man. Weren’t we already subjected to those facets of her two dimensional personality on her reality show five years ago?

“Tony is a great quarterback, but he’s a better boyfriend,” Simpson, 28, told PEOPLE at a Nina’s Night Out, a benefit for the Rape Crisis Center at the Palms Casino Resort’s Pearl Theatre in Las Vegas on Thursday. “I’m seriously proud of myself for letting him into my life.”

Romo “was my Monday this week,” joked Simpson, in reference to her song about him, “You’re My Sunday,” and the Dallas Cowboys’ huge win over the Philadelphia Eagles on ESPN’s Monday Night Football a few days ago.

The NFL star is also someone else’s hero: He recently stopped to help a couple change their flat tire in Texas Sept. 7.

“Through all the chaos and torment and everything I go through, I can lay in his arms and finally rest,” she added.

Having her cuddled up next to him isn’t always such a relief, admitted Simpson.

“To be my man, you have to put up with a lot,” said the singer. “I toot under the sheets, I spend a lot of money and I can belch the ABC’s.”

[From People]

Simpson also has an interview with In Touch this week in which she reveals that she and Tony pray together every night. If she’s on the road, she says she puts the cell phone on her pillow and that’s when they pray:

You were nervous about performing in Nashville. Did Tony give you any advice?He told me, “It’s just you and God up there. Just remember that God is with you.” We try and encourage each other like that. It’s so nice to have that kind of relationship….

You are in NY and Tony isn’t. Will you speak with him tonight?
We fall asleep together every night - I put the phone on my pillow. We will pray together tonight.

[From In Touch, print edition, September 29, 2008]

Despite all the evidence to the contrary, Simpson told In Touch that she’s not seeking approval at all. “I’m at this place in my life where I don’t need to convince anybody I’m happy. I’m so comfortable with this relationship.”

Jessica Simpson is shown performing to benefit The Rape Crisis Center at the Palms in Las Vegas on 9/18/08. Credit: Judy Eddy / WENN

She’s been taking a beating in the media lately for her hokey behavior at live shows (example: talking about passing gas), but it didn’t deter country fans from supporting Jessica Simpson. Her new country album, “Do You Know,” has topped the Billboard 100 country charts this week.

Despite a string of shaky live performances, fans seemed to have embraced Jessica Simpson’s transition to country music.

“Do You Know” has debuted atop Billboard’s country chart.

The album — which sold 65,000 copies since coming out last week — ranked No. 4 on the Billboard Top 200.

Simpson’s first single, “Come on Over,” hit No. 18 on the Hot Country Songs list last month.

Do You Know is Simpson’s sixth album. Her previous effort, A Public Affair, debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 chart in 2006 with 101,000 albums sold.

2004’s In This Skin was her highest ranking album, reaching No. 2 on the charts.

So why did Simpson decide to ditch pop for country?

“I am a country girl,” she told Billboard.com in December. “I grew up in Texas, and country music was what I listened to. I always wanted to make a country album, but I wanted to wait until the time was right.”

She cited Martina McBride, Shania Twain, Faith Hill and Reba McEntire as role models. “I think there is a strength in female country artists,” she added.

[From US Weekly]

Simpson has repeatedly declared that country music is the genre she feels most comfortable in, and that after her last pop album, she begged her label to let her record country instead.

That’s certainly been Simpson’s experience as she plugs her first country single, ”Come on Over,” which has convinced many doubters with its catchy hook and irresistible steel-guitar licks. At radio, the song broke the record for highest country chart entrée by a debuting solo act (although it subsequently failed to crack the top 10). ”So far people have been really kind,” says the 28-year-old Texas native, who cites Dolly, Loretta, and Patsy as heroines, and never completely lost her own twang. ”Even though sometimes it’s backhanded, like ‘I really wanted to hate this, but I like it.’ I’m like, ‘Wow! Okay. Thank you, I guess?’ Still, I’d rather it be that way than the other way around.” In this arena, Simpson arrives as both a superstar and a nobody. ”I definitely feel like I’m 19 again, like when I was starting out as a brand-new artist,” she says, taking a break in the Opry greenroom from her own fangirl visits to Roy Clark’s and Patty Loveless’ dressing quarters. ”Meeting all the DJs, letting people get a sense of who I am and why I’m stepping over into country music…I think once people sit down with me, they understand that it’s a good fit. The only [concern] is people thinking that I’m just trying to jump in for a little bit and then go back to pop.” But, she insists, ”I’m here to stay.”

[From Entertainment Weekly]

I haven’t checked out the album, because I’d rather have gum surgery than willingly listen to country music. But reviews written by people who care about this genre are lukewarm. Entertainment Weekly gave it a C+, while the reviewer at Country Universe gives it two out of five stars. But despite what the critics think, it looks like Jessica is connecting with country fans.

Jessica Simpson is shown on 9/11/08 outside the Late Show. Credit: WENN

Jessica Simpson’s professionalism – and I use that word as loosely as possible here – has taken a serious hit lately. She’s had a bunch of concert performances that were marred by her need to overshare about her bodily functions and babble incessantly in between songs. Then she had a near nipple slip at the Grand Ole Opry yesterday – though something tells me it’s not the venue’s first. Instead of turning around her bungled effort to ingratiate herself with the country music community, Jessica gave a disastrous performance this morning – which she actually stopped midway through, even though it was live television.

Jessica Simpson tripped up a rocky performance on live television Tuesday, the day of her latest album release. “Hold on, I know this is live TV but I can’t hear anything,” she said as she starting singing her quadruple platinum hit “With You” on Good Morning America. The music stopped, the crowd in Times Square went silent and then she counted down for her musicians to start again.

“It’s a natural place for me,” she said on GMA. “I’ve always been a country girl. It feels good to be on stage being myself.” Asked if she is excited to play aunt to younger sister Ashlee’s baby, due in November, Simpson responded: “I am! Oh my god! I can’t believe it!”

Simpson also referred to quarterback beau Tony Romo by yelling “Go Cowboys!” and warning Philadelphia Eagles fans, “That’s next week! We’re gonna kick your butts, too!”

[From Us Weekly]

Us noted that she “struggled” through the performance. I think she should avoid any direct reference to Tony Romo and football. That’s sure to rouse the ire of pretty much any man – with the odd exception of John Mayer, who defended Simpson’s purported jinx on Romo last season. She’d also do herself some favors not to say “butt” “barf” (which she uttered twice during a concert for music industry professionals) or make any references to her gas situation.

I know she’s always been somewhat uncouth, but it seems like she’s playing it up a lot lately. Honey people are going to like your music or they won’t. They’re not going to be distracted by you acting all “down to earth” and oversharing about the current state of your bowels or whatever. Get on stage, get the kinks worked out in advance, put on a good show, and get the hell out of there before anyone can ask questions. That’s my professional music advice for the day.

Here’s Jessica performing live for ‘Good Morning America’s Summer Concert Series’ in Bryant Park today. Images thanks to WENN.

Jessica Simpson put on a pretty decent performance at her first debut at the Grand Ole Opry Saturday night, but her too-tight cleavage baring dress left her clutching her boob at some points, causing some to question her outfit choice. A similar near wardrobe malfunction marred Simpson’s performance at the 2006 Kennedy Center Awards for Dolly Parton, in which she kept trying to hold up the bodice of her dress and was nervous, forgetting the words to the song. In this case she held it well together, though, and belted out three songs, saying “I have chills” at the end of “Come On Over.” Grand Ole Opry organizers wisely didn’t give her a platform to say much to the audience, although she did give introductions to her song “Did You Know,” saying “It’s a very personal song for a lot of women.” She also said the first time she heard the song “Remember That” she started crying and knew that God wanted her to sing it. If fans want to hear more about her personal life they’ll need to pick up People Magazine or buy tickets to one of her concerts.

In Jessica Simpson news in the tabloids this week, Star Magazine reports that Jessica calls her boyfriend Tony Romo her FBD - Future Baby’s Daddy, but only to her friends, not to his face. The National Enquirer reports that Jessica is planning to move into Tony’s new home in Dallas - and that “Tony’s agreed to let her turn one of the spare rooms into a nursery,” according to an insider. Maybe all that blabbing about her personal life isn’t taking a toll on her relationship after all and Tony figures it’s part of the deal.

Story via PopEater and People.

Photo Credit: Fame Pictures

Jessica Simpson keeps insisting on giving awkward and downright bad performances, along with oversharing about everything in her life, from her relationships to her bodily functions. Jessica gave what was clearly a nervous performance in Nashville recently, where she babbled incessantly and also talked about maybe needing to throw up.

You’d think Jessica Simpson would be an old pro at performing. But at the Nashville listening party for her new country album, Do You Know, on Thursday night, the singer was just a bit freaked out. “I’m a little nervous,” said Simpson to a crowd of nearly 200 record industry folks at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. “If I throw up, I’m sorry.”

Brushing her blonde hair from her face, she continued: “Thank you so much for coming and for giving me a chance. I hope you get to experience what my heart’s been going through the last few years.”

Leading into “Remember That,” Simpson urged women “in that [abusive] situation to take their hearts and run.” She later smiled tearfully to her preacher dad Joe Simpson and mom Tina in the audience while explaining that “Pray Out Loud” is a song about faith and family. And before the bittersweet song, “Sippin’ on History,” Simpson said, “It’s about a relationship in my life that could have been a fairy tale, but wasn’t.”

Simpson got warm applause after each song. But she seemed most proud of something else entirely.

“I didn’t throw up!” Simpson exclaimed at the end of her set.

[From People]

And to think some people believe Simpson oozes anything but class! Her recent concert in Niagara Falls, Canada, was similarly panned (though much more specifically). The critic noted that she babbled too much, for too long, and in a completely pointless manner. And she does it before every single song, which ruins whatever momentum she gets going.

It almost seems compulsive. I can babble when I’m nervous, and as a rule the more nervous I am, the stupider the stuff that falls out of my mouth will be. But I try to stay mindful of this. Simpson is a professional, and should be able to control her incessant jabbering, whatever the reason. She needs some kind of life coach or something; basically that person that’ll tell you things your friends and employees won’t. First she’ll have to find someone she can pay to be around her, and considering how annoying she sounds, she may not have any lucky.

Celebitchy thinks that Jessica needs people to like her and is too much of a people pleaser. That makes sense… except you’d expect her to be more likeable. If this is her trying, that’s pretty sad.

Here’s Jessica Simpson and Ken Paves having dinner at Mr. Chow on August 11th. Images thanks to Fame.

OK! Magazine has a headline story online that reads “Carrie calls Jessica Fat!” and features a flattering photo of super thin Underwood. The accompanying story doesn’t have a lot of evidence that it’s true, though, and is just based on an insider quote. It has something moderately snarky that sounds like what we’d hear out of Carrie’s mouth. It’s not just “she’s fat,” but she’s “fatter”:

While Tony, 28, may be pleased with Jessica and her declarations of love, his ex, Carrie, has quite a different point of view.

“She finds Jessica’s love of putting her life on display pretty desperate,” a pal of the “Before He Cheats” singer tells OK!. “She laughed at the People cover, because it’s the same one Jess did about John Mayer — same smile, same look, except she’s a little fatter.”

[From OK!]

Amazing that Underwood has a photographic memory of a People cover - or even bothered to look it up. That sounds like something a seasoned media insider, not a jealous ex girlfriend, would say. They’re right, though, I looked up Simpson’s People cover for Mayer and here it is next to the one she did for Tony Romo.

It takes one to know one, Carrie, and you’re the one who said in a recent interview that “The phone will ring and it’ll be him, and I’ll maybe not answer.”

Whether Carrie actually said that Jessica was fatter or whatever is up to question. It’s not a direct quote and I wouldn’t put it past OK! to stir up some more female fights for the sake of selling copies.

Jessica Simpson is still repeating her talking points about how she wants a family and kids and how hurt she is by the media. She told Fox News’ Pop Tarts that if people only knew her, they wouldn’t talk about her so negatively:

“I am a very open person, but how the media is these days makes it hard. Unfortunately people want to believe bad stuff and I just don’t understand that — sometimes it is like a personal attack,” Jessica said sadly. “It’s a challenge for me to act like it’s just part of my career. If they knew your heart, they wouldn’t be talking about you like this.”

But something the singer was a little more excited to talk about was becoming an aunt (we’ve heard word she’ll have a niece) and her plans to follow in younger sis Ashlee’s footsteps in marriage (for the second time) and motherhood.

“I would love to be making records and making babies and hopefully I’m married in 10 years,” Simpson added. “I have the dreams of every normal person. I want to be a great aunt.”

[From Fox News]

Maybe that’s Simpson’s entire media strategy right there - lay bare her every relationship and open her life to such scrutiny because if people only really knew her, they would like her, damnit. It hasn’t worked in the five years since she first started Newlyweds, but she’s still working on it, oversharing and acting like the semi-talented slow to catch on girl next door, hoping we’ll be her friend. Meanwhile her rivals are using the personal information she shares to mock her.

Jessica Simpson is shown out at Beso on 9/2/08 with Ken Paves. Credit: WENN. Carrie Underwood is shown at the CMA Music Festival on 6/7/08. Credit: WENN