Jessica Simpson: A Tabloid Piñata
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By Jim Roberts
Oct 10, 2005
Life & Style says of the Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey relationship "It's
Over." Us Weekly screamed a headline in its weekly magazine on the same day
"Split!" That brought quick denials from Jess and Nick, but the tabloids are
standing by their story.

In what some consider damage control the pair has even been spotted in London as
a couple with Jessica sporting her wedding ring.



So - spilt or not?

Hard to say, but there is a theory on why the tabloids are examining Jessica and
Nick so closely.



Gossip industry insiders say the recent rumors are retaliation for the Jessica
Simpson's exclusive contract with OK! magazine according to a report on Radar
Magazine's web site.





The theory:



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The $200,000, 2-year deal, set up in August by her stage dad, Joe Simpson,
reportedly locked the Simpson into a six-cover commitment, and prohibited her
from giving other magazines access.

The roundly denied “scoop” was far from exclusive, however—Life & Style carries
essentially the same story, but with better detail, including an anecdote about
Simpson breaking down in tears on an American Airlines flight post-breakup.

Us Weekly, a formerly pro-Jessica rag and repository of Joe-Simpson-planted
items, went for the jugular with this week’s “SPLIT!” cover story.



Life & Style carries essentially the same story, but with better detail,
including an anecdote about Simpson breaking down in tears on an American
Airlines flight post-breakup.

Adding insult to injury, “it was a really stupid business decision on Joe’s part
because while OK!’s spending millions for shots of Britney’s baby, all Jessica
got was a cover that didn’t sell, two-hundred grand, and a lot of payback,” the
editor sniped. “She’s become a tabloid piñata!”



Expect to see Jess and Nick out more and photographed more often together with
wedding rings in place and big smiles if they expect to squash these rumors.


--Jim Roberts




Hollywood Dirt | Only Jessica









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