College Candy » ashley simpson

I am as obsessed with celebrity news as the next person; I am constantly perusing PerezHilton.com, TMZ.com, and all the other gossip pages, to read up on celeb news. I’m the first one to answer all the Pop Culture questions right at Trivia Night, and I thrive on reading the most intimate details of fights, breakups and love triangles of those we adorn from afar.

But even I, as much of a celeb-session that I have, do not think it’s appropriate to showcase your one month old child on the cover of US Weekly, People, In Touch, OK! or others, bartering with various publications for who will pay the most for the first pics of the new bebe.

In an article by Forbes Magazine, the topic of celebrity baby pictures – and the outlandish prices – was addressed. According to reports, JLo and Marc Anthony were paid $6 million from People Magazine for the first shots of the twins. $6 million?! For baby photos?! That’s more than I’ll make in a lifetime – hey, that’s more than everyone I know combined will make in a life time!

While I think it’s ridiculous to pull figures for your children, at least, if you do it, be charitable about it. Take the famous Brangelina couple, who, at the birth of Shiloh in 2006, were paid $4.1 million by People for the pics, all of which they donated entirely to an African charity. Okay so, still not the best idea to pimp out your kid for some dough, but at least, if you’re going to do it (which they all are – can we guess how much Ashlee & Pete will get???), they did it with some class.

An editor from OK! was interviewed for the article and said the price for the pics is absolutely worth it, as they sell magazine’s like hot cakes. (The Shiloh cover sold 2.2 million copies, which is 45% above the average circulation.) Clearly, I get why magazines want the pictures, but why do WE, us average joes, care so much?

I’ll be the first to admit that I still – despite my ranting and raving – pick up those magazines and flip directly to JLo’s twins, or Angie’s baby girl to see the first glimpse of the baby, the nursery and the happy parents. I think we care so much because we revel in the unknown. The fact that JLo and Marc Anthony can spend millions on a baby nursery is something I’ll never be able to do, so looking at their fortunes intrigues me.

While discussing this topic with some friends, we also decided that seeing Angelina beat the crap out of 10 guys at once is one thing, but seeing her arms wrapped around a child makes her seem normal, grounded and real. Also, I think we’re just nosy little people who thrive on finding out every aspect of these individuals lives, when really, there are much bigger fish to fry when it comes to life’s necessities.

I understand you are proud of your children, but marketing your child is not something I will ever advocate for. Yes, the stars can demand their own prices, their own regulations and decisions, but when is enough, enough when it comes to exploiting the gift that you’re supposed to experience in private with your family? It’s one thing to put yourself out there on the movie screen, TV show or magazine covers, but please, spare your children.

Not every star will conform though. My favorite NYC fashionista, Sarah Jessica Parker, reportedly turned down roughly $1 million in 2002 for pictures of her son James. Thatta girl sister. Way to stand alone.

(Photo courtesy of fashiontribes.com)

Ashlee and Pete Love To Make Announcements

ccandylyndsey — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:30:23 +0000

Spring has been an announcement kind of season for the Ashlee Simpson/Pete Wentz camp, starting with the April announcement of their engagement, which was promptly followed by an announcement denying that they were expecting a baby; then an announcement confirming that they were, in fact, expecting a baby; then an announcement denying of the confirmation that they were; then an announcement denying the denial of the confirmation that they were; then an announcement confirming that while Ashlee might not (or might?) be with child, she is, in fact, with, um, album. Ahem.

Then that announcement was overshadowed by the announcement on May 7th that the two were planning to get married in a week’s time, which then lead to an announcement that the two did get married, segueing to an announcement that they were honeymooning in a basement (which was later revealed to be a lie, but they didn’t make an official announcement about it so it doesn’t register on my finely-tuned radar).

Now this week the eyelinered newlyweds have made not one but TWO announcements, the first being that Ashlee is no longer Ashlee Simpson, Joe Simpson’s Retirement Plan Part Deuce, but Ashlee Wentz, (get ready for the second announcement) Pete Wentz’s Knocked Up Wife. That’s right, folks, she’s pregnant not just with an album but also a baby. Awwww. I wonder if they’re identical or fraternal?

At any rate, what really matters here is how I feel about all this. And the truth is, in this Peashlee Wempson announcement circus, I have somehow developed a little bit of a soft spot for the couple. Two months ago had you asked me how I felt about them, I probably would have launched an expletive-filled (and, let’s face it, drunken) tirade about how Ashlee is a no-talent dipshit who’s lucky to have discovered plastic surgery and Pete is an asshat pseudo-hipster of the highest order, but now…I think they’re kind of cute.

Sure, the aforementioned statements are still not incorrect, but what the heck. Being lame isn’t a crime, and they a) look good together, and b) seem crazy happy. So I’m releasing an official announcement condoning their existence as human beings and as a married couple. All the best, kids, and congratulations on winning me over. Oh, and on all that other crap.

Thank God We’re Not Jessica Simpson or Britney

Jess - NYU — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 14:35:50 +0000

The holidays are a perfect time of year to sit back and reflect on what we’re most thankful for. Family, friends, warmth, PRESENTS…you know, all the good stuff life has brought us during the last 365 days.

Two things I am very thankful for this year? That I am not Jessica Simpson or Britney Spears.

At one time two of the hottest, most enviable babes out there, these days it’s hard for me to choose which one it would suck to be the most. To help me decide (and because I’m a little OCD), I’m complied a list.

If I was Jessica, I Would:

• Make movies that go straight to video

• Curse Tony Romo

• Have a dad who is certifiably smarmy

• Have sold my soul to MTV

• Have an untalented sister considered more talented than me

• Be known mostly for my boobs

• Own a website that looks like a high-quality ebay store

If I was Britney, I Would:

• Most likely have giant mental problems

• Usually forget I have kids

• Date guys who look like total douchebags

• Spend my nights in convenience stores

• Shave my head like it was no big deal

• Be unable to comprehend what the words “court date” and “must attend” mean

• Need a body double for naked photo shoots

• Believe Starbucks is a food group

These chicks may have a lot of cash, but if being rich means trading in my brains, fashion sense, and mental security, than you can count me out.

This year, I celebrate the true joy of being innocuous and unknown.

Bikini-clad Celebs of Summer

CC Staff — Wed, 30 May 2007 01:44:50 +0000

Memorial Day has come and gone, but Bikini Season is officially in session. With a little help from InStyle.com, we have compiled some hot celebrity bikini looks for your viewing pleasure. If you find a look you like, click over to InStyle.com- they’ve got a great list of look-a-likes and where to buy.

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Who’s got the hottest bikini bod?