JESS DOES COUNTRY, TEXAS STYLE?

Jessica Simpson made her official country music debut this weekend at the Country Thunder USA showcase in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin on July 19. Sorry Jess, wearing cowboy boots non-stop will not make you a successful country star- give your tootsies a break! Before the show, Jessica hung out backstage with boy-toy Tony Romo while flaunting a Willie Nelson tee – also not a great way to convince skeptical fans you are a “real” country music star. Onstage, Jess rocked a clean country look, starting with those tarnished tan cowboy boots, a crisp white button down tee (try 3J Workshop’s Merenda Shirt in White), and frayed short-shorts (check out True Religion’s Josie Big T Short in Light Lovestruck if you dare, or Denim of Virtue’s Daisy Duke Shorts in Joy Grey to add some color). Jess added a flashy silver belt (Nyovee’s Navarinon Belt in White has a similar Western studded design), and gaudy turquoise jewelry (check out Lisa K’s Greece Necklace in Gold for a more elegant look that still adds a dash of color), making her ensemble a tad overdone but hey, it is country after all. Jessica’s new album won’t be released until September, so she gave fans a taste with a few new songs and filled in the rest of the show with some classic country covers. Apparently no one was convinced – the local papers said she was heckled and booed as she took the stage. Jess fought back with a very honest plea to her audience: "I don't know what your perception is of Jessica Simpson or what tabloid you buy, but I just want you to know that I'm just a girl from Texas; I'm just like you. I'm doing what I love and dating a boy." Jessica’s transition to the country music scene has also been clouded by rumors that a sex tape with Nick Lachey has fallen into the hands of the same pervs that released the Pam Anderson-Tommy Lee tape a few years back. Talk about scandalous, especially when you recall Jessica’s claims of saving herself for marriage! I’m sure her lawyers (not to mention her overbearing father) are hard at work keeping this one under wraps. What will Romo think?

Dated: Jul 20 2008 @ 06:37 PM