Did Jessica Simpson's Father Diss U.S. Troops?

By Christine Fenno Posted Oct 17th 2010 12:25PM

A singing ensemble of U.S. combat veterans, the 4T Troops, were allegedly barred by Joe Simpson from performing on TV alongside Jessica Simpson, 30, with a source claiming to Page Six that her team felt their camouflage attire wouldn't look good on camera next to the decked-out beauty.

Simpson, in New York City with her boyfriend Eric Johnson, was taping a PBS holiday special on Thursday (a broadcast on which she'll sing tunes from her upcoming album) when the alleged snub occurred.

"Jessica's dad, Joe Simpson, effectively kicked them off the show because he didn't like what they were wearing," says the insider. "They were in camo pants and blazers, the same outfits they wore to sing for Gen. David Petraeus on the USS Intrepid. They were told they couldn't perform unless they were wearing tuxedos."

But there are two sides to every skirmish: Jessica Simpson's spokesperson tells PopEater the singer is innocent, and would never diss any members of the military.

"The song was cut due to time. Jessica wasn't even aware. She is wholeheartedly devoted to the troops -- she just returned from the Persian Gulf where she performed for, and met with, service men and women stationed at several different locations. Last night, she received a Silver Star Award for her work with AFCEF (Armed Forces Children's Education Fund)."

"The military was the source of inspiration for her entire Christmas album, so much so that she recorded a duet for the album with a USS Harry Truman sailor," the rep adds.

Still, backstage witnesses insist that feelings were hurt over what happened. A spokeswoman for the 4T Troops singers -- who reportedly "waited six hours until midnight only to be told their number with Jessica had been cut" -- said, "Joe [Simpson] should be ashamed of himself."

One of the singers, former Sgt. Daniel Jens (deployed in Iraq in 2007), said, "I am so disappointed and angry, I threw up when I got back to my room."

Meanwhile, Simpson does indeed appear to be oblivious to the backstage drama in this happy pic she posted to Twitter followers with the caption: "Eric and I late night after PBS Christmas special..."

Tags: jessica simpson

Comments

(205)

Monday 18 October

By Hit 'em where it hurts

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

"The song was cut due to time. Jessica wasn't even aware." That's damage control talking. They screwed up really badly, everyone on "Team Jessica" knows it, and they begin to send out messages to make consumers think it "wasn't Jessica." Jessica is a brand, her father is part of her brand. Her spokesperson is part of her brand and they all dissed our military.

Everyone should talk to their friends and relatives about this and DO NOT WATCH her show. Let everyone know that you WILL NOT WATCH her show. Tell the networks YOU WON'T WATCH her show. Tell potential sponsors YOU WON'T WATCH her show.

They should turn-around and retape and edit the show to include our military singers.

By Laurie

Vote down Vote up Report this

2 shallow idiots..I'll give her the benefit of the doubt and say it's more him than her, (because she is probably clueless)....his decision elevates his "needing power" thing..he's lovin this I'm sure..

By 69usmc73

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Boycot the show..... We don't need this...

By Ken

Few if any entertainers spend more time with the troops than does Jessica Simpson. She has been a real friend to them. This story is misleading and does a disservice to a beautiful young woman who goes where her oh-so-pious critics won't.

By fattrucker

"I was so upset that I went back to my room and threw up."????? Is this the sort of thing we can expect out of our troops now that "don't ask, don't tell" is gone?

By Ace

He wanted them to wear tuxedos? Oh pleeease!!
Mr. Simpson and Mr Lohan should be dropped off on a deserted island somewhere.. I think these guys make their daughters lives worse than what they already are.

By recepcait

If she really did need to cut a song due to time, then she should've cut a different song. She should've cut one of herself singing alone. I doubt it was cut due to time.

By Tampajohn

The troops should have requested her to wear camo to show her support of the troops. Also what is the fathers claim to fame ??? He is irrelevent.

By Connie

Having worked with Joe Simpson in the past, I can tell you he is a liar and a fraud. Find 1, just one person (besides his family) that he does business with that has a positive thing to say about him.

Will never happen.

By Donna

If everyone wants to hurt Joe for what he said, dont go to see his daughter sing any more.
It will hurt him, more than it would hurt Jessic. Joe has his hands in her pocket, thats why his her 'manager.'
If my sons clothes offend Mr. Simpson, then he wont ever have to see it again.
Theres absolutly no excuse for joes actions, its unforgivable.

She's 30yrs old!! She can't blame her dad for everything. At some point she needs to take some responsibility. Her dad works for HER! If she really wanted to do the song with the troops, if would've been done. Either she didn't want to do the song with them or she didn't care either way.

By joe

her dad is a money mined and been useing the kid for it and dont care how she looks or dresss just so he gets paycheck and shes a wash out now has been

By Julie

Jessica Simpson (and her father) are a joke. She is not a great singer, has an ugly nose and those new boobs of hers are ridiculous on her.

By Homer White

who is the cow they are talking about that one that cannto sing act but nows how to drink like a fish and hang on to Romo like a snake huh?

By joynjerzee

I can't imagine Jessica's dad being so insensitive. I beleive there's more to the story. Even if he had some personal issues with the camos, he knows what something like that would do to Jessica's career and I don't beleive that he would risk putting her in harm's way, by having her diss the military service. The woman has a top clothing line and some of her garments are military inspired!

By mark

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

who cares, the troops are nothing but junkies and rapists, and future jailbirds let him diss

By WminPhoenix

The headline was 'Jessica Simpson's Dad..." because if it said "Joe Simpson....." few people would know who Joe Simpson was. Ah yes, making the most of your 15 minutes of fame. Except for being a spurious "singer" and a bedmate of Bam Margera, what does Jessica do that is so special?

By Dennis

WHO REALLY CARES!!! DON'T YOU REPORTERS HAVE SOMETHING REAL TO REPORT ON?? THIS IS NONSENSE... AND THESE PEOPLE ARE BEING PAID FOR THIS!

By Lynden

This man is an idiot! I'd like to hear from the troops to see if this truly happened and what their take is on it. Simpson is still a jerk.

By lucky

She is a moron and if she does not fire her father as her manager soon, the troops won't even want her to perform for them. She is a no talent bimbo that will soon fade away if she does not get a better manager. She is lucky she has been around this long with no talent.It is all about her looks and that will fade eventually....

Page 5 of 11