Jessica Simpson

Jessica Simpson fans, you're in luck. The Gossip has the following image of her upcoming CD, "A Public Affair." What do you think? A tad serious for this typically goofy blonde?

Maybe the debut of a new video from Jessica Simpson will change her fortunes. Recent sales figures show that this former Newlywed could use the boost.

Sadly for the 26-year old, her cover issue of OK! magazine - which reportedly pays Simpson up to $1 million per year to pose for half a dozen covers - wasn't exactly the publication's top-selling issue of all-time.

Only 540,000 copies of the magazine were moved, a 10% drop from the previous week's issue. Then again, who could compete with the cover story from that period - the engagement of Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn. Congrats, again, to those love birds!

Even more troublesome for Jess? The Britney Spears cover three weeks earlier sold 15% more copies. Perhaps Simpson has to marry a worthless, lazy punk in order to bump sales up a bit. Just a thought.

"Jessica was their lowest sale in seven weeks," am industry insider said. "She's so over. She's a bargain-basement star who can only sell $1.99 magazines at best these days."

Ouch! Rob Shuter, Simpson's rep countered quite well, referring to that statement as "a silly comment from someone who sounds like an 'outsider,' not an 'insider.'"

The facts back Shuter up. After all, Simpson is booked for the October cover of Glamor - a $3.99 publication.

Point, Jessica!

All the world will be watching the 2006 Teen Choice Awards. As they should. The two-hour event, scheduled for August 20 on FOX, is always met with some great anticipation. But this year could be the most interesting (and awful) one ever, due to a live performance by Kevin Federline.

Yes, Kevin Federline. 

Performing.

Music.

Live.

Federline will close the award show with a performance of his single "Lose Control," which is set to be released in August. Anyone who pays money for that crap might as well just hurl yourself off a cliff now, because you will probably die alone someday anyway. But that's beside the point. The point is that Federline, the backup dancer turned deadbeat spouse, is making the rounds promoting his new album, Playing with Fire.

We aren't sure whether wife Britney Spears will be on hand to witness this embarrassment performance, but we will keep you posted. You know who will definitely be on hand, though? Jessica Simpson and Dane Cook. They will be co-hosting the event! That could be very interesting, as rumors continue to swirl around the couple.

It could also be interesting if Jessica fellates an ice cream cone on camera, like she does in her new video for "A Public Affair." Here's hoping for that.

Okay, maybe Jessica Simpson isn't THAT mature. After greeting ex-husband, Nick Lachey, with a friendly hug last week, Jess went on TRL yesterday and premiered her new video for "A Public Affair."

Sadly, Vanessa Minnillo - Lachey's current squeeze - wasn't hosting the program, leaving viewers without any enjoyable, violent cat fight. But when the video finally came on - involving Simpson skating around with gal pals, Christina Applegate and Eva Longoria - there appeared to be a direct slam at Minnillo.

While she's lacing up her boots, Jessica spots a hunky dark-haired stranger canoodling with a brunette; this supposed slut then has an aggressive fantasy focused on yanking out Simpson's hair in a fit of jealousy.

And just who plays this female foe? A TV entertainment reporter named Maria Menounos.

We're not sure if Jessica is trying for any real-life metahpors here, but if she is - well, we're confused. Didn't Simpson divorce Lachey?

Who said Jessica Simpson and Britney Spears were bitter rivals?

No one actually. But this really proves it! In fact, today on MTV's Total Request Live, Jessica declared herself a big fan of Britney, with her favorite Spears track being her hit, "I'm a Slave 4 U." The Gossip approves of her choice. That particular song is considered somewhat of a milestone in Spears' career, as well as a life-altering event for American males ages 15-25.

The steamy video and raunchy lyrics fully redefined Britney's public image from innocent sweetheart to... We don't even need to finish that sentence. But we're glad that Jessica is a fan. She even said Britney has "a hot bod." Well, that calls for a Spears pic straight from the "Slave" video. The lengths we go to for our fans.

Ok, so Joe Simpson possibly blackmailing Nick Lachey over his interactions with Vanessa Minnillio is a bit exciting.

But forget that - what about the recent Nick and Jessica Simpson reunion?!? PerezHilton.com reports that the former flames had an awkward run-in with one another Friday night at the bar, Hyde.

A major reason why the air was full of chills? Minnillos was also there.

"Nick walked over to Jessica's table, gave her a hug and said hello to her and to Ken Paves," said a source. "It wasn't the most comfortable situation but it was totally civil and everyone was cool and Jessica was nice."

At least Jessica wasn't totally alone. A hair stylist is almost like a boyfriend. Showing she has brains to match her looks, meanwhile, Vanessa stayed behind at Nick's table.

The most difficult year of Jessica Simpson's life ended with a birthday party in Mexico.

Or, maybe we should say the beauty's fresh start began there.

Now that she's older, wiser and officially single, Jessica has gained a new perspective on life. She can't wait to write about it.

"This last year for me has been a very intense year. It'll be nice to turn 26 and come into a new year with a different perspective," Simpson said. "I think every year you become more clear about why it is you're here. I'll start a new journal. The colors I choose for my journals always reflect the mood I'm in. If I don't have the right color pen, I won't write. I think this new journal will be white. I want a clean, fresh start."

Jessica might also want to consider green. With the video for her latest song, "A Public Affair", hitting TVs across the nation on Wednesday, it should be a prosperous time for Ashlee's older sister.

Note to Lindsay Lohan: you don't need to do drugs in order to have a fun birthday.

Let Jessica Simpson show you the way. The recent 26-year old celebrated the anniversary of her birth with a jaunt to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, with family and close friends.

Hairstylist Ken Paves was there, along with former assistant CaCee Cobb, most likely dispelling rumors that the latter actually dated Nick Lachey for a bit. A friend told People magazine the following about what took place south of the border:

"Everything you do at the beach ... They drank margaritas. They laid out in the sun."

They forgot the invite The Gossip.

Later that night, the group attended with a beachside bash. And the fun really began!

"They had sangria and Mexican food and sat around telling stories and dancing," the source said. "Jessica is the happiest she has ever been."

Strong words. Who needs a man, huh? The intimate party was a stark contrast to last year's bash, attended by 150 of Simpson's buddies (including Mandy Moore and Eva Mendes â€" and Lachey, of course).

The (frickin gorgeous!) pop star will face fans in the States again shortly: the much-hyped video for "A Public Affair" debuts next Wednesday. And then her next movie with Dane Cook, Employee of the Month, opens Sept. 15. We can't wait.

Things may also get intense soon. Jessica is hosting the Aug. 20 Teen Choice Awards. Nominated for awards? Both Simpson and Lachey. You can bet he'll bring his current squeeze, Vanessa Minnillo, to the affair.

Cue the ominous music ...

Jessica Simpson may sing about A Public Affair, but she doesn't love when her life becomes on. In a recent interview with OK! magazine, she set the record straight about her dating universe.

Contrary to numerous reports, the newly divorced beauty says she is NOT dating Employee of the Month co-star, Dane Cook. They're close friends, he's a great guy .. but he also has a live-in girlfriend and Simpson is satisfied with their arrangement.

"Every time I'm frustrated, I'll e-mail him, and he'll e-mail back with a suggestion or an idea. He's a great support, a solid friend and a really good guy," says Simpson, who has been named co-host of Teen Choice 2006, airing 8 p.m. ET/PT Aug. 20 on Fox.

Despite tabloid reports about her personal life - sorry about that, Jess - the singer says has had "no dates" since her and Nick Lachey called it quits. We somehow doubt that's due to a lack of suitors.

As for her ideal eye candy? "Brad Pitt in Fight Club; you can't get much better than that. I still dream about his body!"

Good. He really needed another beautiful woman to express such sentiments.

Look for this issue of OK! on newsstands tomorrow.

A newly single Jessica Simpson has fun while shooting the video for "A Public Affair ..."