Ashlee Simpson seeks Diana Ross' help to reignite career

[milven]

I think Ashlee is pushing her luck with Diana and may have found the button that sets her off.


Ashlee Simpson wants her superstar mother-in-law Diana Ross to help boost her music career by introducing her to new producers.

Ashlee Simpson has asked Diana Ross to help her reignite her music career.

The 'Pieces of Me' singer, who recently married the legendary singer's son Evan Ross, has reportedly begged her to introduce her to new producers.

A source told OK! magazine: ''Ashlee's constantly hitting up Diana for industry contacts. Diana has no problem helping her son out, and she really does like Ashlee, but she knows a spoiled princess when she sees one.''

The insider added: ''[Ashlee] is really pushing her luck with Diana.''

The 30-year-old beauty married Evan, 26, in a lavish ceremony at Diana's house in Connecticut last month.

The 70-year-old star, who is ordained, was heavily involved in the ceremony and even officiated the couple's wedding and then went on to perform her ballad 'Endless Love' at the service afterwards.

The former Supremes singer previously dismissed rumours of tension between her and Ashlee.

Shortly after their wedding, she said: ''I want only love, happiness, and joy for my son and his bride.''


http://www.contactmusic.com/story/as...career_4437614

[soulster]

The only reason I read this thread is to see how they got this information. And, of course, these people want remain anonymous because it's nothing but gossip fueled by personal opinion, and people tend to gossip about people they don't know. How do we know how Ross reacted? The article never says, but the "source", or the writer is good at giving their personal opinion that Ashlee is "pushing her luck". How does anyone know this? Is it fact?

[jobeterob]

If Diana still cared, I would have thought she'd be the one doing the asking!

[arr&bee]

I'm getting a seat in the bleachers,this is about to get good.

[Lulu]

I would say this is total BS. If Evan and Ashlee had any sense, they'd both have a seat. Evan - stick to acting. Ashlee - enjoy your marriage, do some charity and stay out of the biz!

[midnightman]

Doubt it's true.

[soulster]

Just another thing to ruffle feathers.

[marv2]

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.............

[arr&bee]

Oh no you don't i paid for these bleacher seats.

[soulster]

The forum realized it was another attempt to bash Ashlee Simpson. Get your money back.

[jillfoster]

It wouldn't surprise me if Ashlee and Diane didn't get along, she comes off a not very bright, opporotunist. And I wouldn't blame Diane one bit for not liking her. That said, she probably puts on her best fake smile and puts up with her. I think that story is probably true, because only a person as stupid as Ashlee Simpson would ask a woman who hasn't had a hit record in 25 years, to help her get a hit. And you guys who think stories like this aren't true, because no source is cited are WAY off base. The reason no source is cited, is so the source doens't get sued. 99 percent of the time, leaks of gossip come from paid staff of the star [[maids, cooks, gardeners, chauffers, etc) and all these people are made to sign confidentiality agreements when they are hired, so that is the reason the source is always anonymous.

[marv2]

It wouldn't surprise me if Ashlee and Diane didn't get along, she comes off a not very bright, opporotunist. And I wouldn't blame Diane one bit for not liking her. That said, she probably puts on her best fake smile and puts up with her. I think that story is probably true, because only a person as stupid as Ashlee Simpson would ask a woman who hasn't had a hit record in 25 years, to help her get a hit.

It's been more like 30 years....................but who's counting?

[soulster]

And, there's always someone who wants to perpetuate this made-up garbage anyway. Ralph has repeatedly said he doesn't want this kind of stuff on the forum, and has already banned one person for starting a similar thread.

[Lulu]

And, there's always someone who wants to perpetuate this made-up garbage anyway. Ralph has repeatedly said he doesn't want this kind of stuff on the forum, and has already banned one person for starting a similar thread.

That, and it invites the usual anti-Ross trolls. Talk about zzzzzzzzzzzzz

[soulster]

That, and it invites the usual anti-Ross trolls. Talk about zzzzzzzzzzzzz

Pro-Ross trolls = anti-Ross trolls. I'm cool with Ross talk as long as it's about the music. You've seen that. It's the gossip and other frivolous stuff I can really do without. It brings out the hostility in a lot of us.

[Lulu]

Pro-Ross trolls = anti-Ross trolls. I'm cool with Ross talk as long as it's about the music. You've seen that. It's the gossip and other frivolous stuff I can really do without. It brings out the hostility in a lot of us.

Oh I agree. Hell, the damn thread about Aretha's salacious unauthorized biography did it as well. Ashlee is so not on my radar! I just wanted to see what Diana was wearing as she and Mary always bring out the glam and the Supremes as fashion icons is interesting as are their performances at charity events! This tawdry garbage in this thread and Ashlee and Evan in the airport, etc...all snooze to me!

[soulster]

Oh I agree. Hell, the damn thread about Aretha's salacious unauthorized biography did it as well. Ashlee is so not on my radar! I just wanted to see what Diana was wearing as she and Mary always bring out the glam and the Supremes as fashion icons is interesting as are their performances at charity events! This tawdry garbage in this thread and Ashlee and Evan in the airport, etc...all snooze to me!

They are young and happy newlyweds. Let them be. Maybe someone has a problem with her because she's a white girl.

[Glenpwood]

Someone remind me again which Hitsville era acts are still having pop hits while poor Diana isn't?

It's 2014 and its a 70 year old artist folks are expecting to whip out hit singles while they don't call out the rest of the Motown roster for failing to do the same is absurd.

I think a case of an innocent fantasy becoming a fixed delusion has occured here....

[soulster]

Someone remind me again which Hitsville era acts are still having pop hits while poor Diana isn't?

It's 2014 and its a 70 year old artist folks are expecting to whip out hit singles while they don't call out the rest of the Motown roster for failing to do the same is absurd.

Doesn't matter. Most veteran Motown artists are...dead! Lionel Richie and Smokey Robinson are about the only two I can think of who have gotten anywhere close to the singles charts in the last several years. Michael Jackson did it, but posthumously.

[jobeterob]

Doesn't matter. Most veteran Motown artists are...dead! Lionel Richie and Smokey Robinson are about the only two I can think of who have gotten anywhere close to the singles charts in the last several years. Michael Jackson did it, but posthumously.

But you skipped any album chart! And I think Ross, the Temptations and Ross/Supremes have made some of the charts, especially any time SHE tours!

[soulster]

But you skipped any album chart! And I think Ross, the Temptations and Ross/Supremes have made some of the charts, especially any time SHE tours!

Are you talking about NEW albums or OLD albums that people started buying again for some reason? That makes a difference. I'm talking about NEW recordings singles or albums. I'm also talking about albums and singles that actually get high enough on the charts to compete with the Pitbulls, Imagine Dragons, Ariana Grandes, and Nicki Minaz of the world.

[Lulu]

But you skipped any album chart! And I think Ross, the Temptations and Ross/Supremes have made some of the charts, especially any time SHE tours!

Correct. Historic albums for all Motown artists have sold consistently well on iTunes and Amazon, especially in the digital age. Marvin Gaye, no surprise to anyone, is usually the best-selling, followed by Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, Lionel Richie, The Supremes, and Diana Ross. Occasionally, we'll see a Marvelettes or Vandellas compilation pop up and the Jacksons are pretty solidly represented although, again as no surprise, Michael's solo career blows everyone I've already mentioned out of the water.

[vgalindo]

Someone remind me again which Hitsville era acts are still having pop hits while poor Diana isn't?

It's 2014 and its a 70 year old artist folks are expecting to whip out hit singles while they don't call out the rest of the Motown roster for failing to do the same is absurd.

I think a case of an innocent fantasy becoming a fixed delusion has occured here....

Glenpwwod. I agree 100% I couldn't have said it better.

[Lulu]

Glenpwwod. I agree 100% I couldn't have said it better.

Well, it's Diana Ross after all. Heaven knows if you start naming names of other gals from the Motown roster and their lack of any substantial chart movement in the last FORTY plus years, the comparisons become irrelevant. Heck, even the divine Gladys Knight's "Missing You" in 1996 was a group effort with Brandy, Tamia, and Chaka Khan. Methinks, as jillfoster said regarding Westlife and the "When You Tell Me That You Love Me" remake, Gladys and Chaka wouldn't have made a dent as a duo. The younger girls clearly took that song to the charts. Prior to that, Gladys's last Hot 100 hit was "Love Overboard" in 1987, one year after "Chain Reaction". Then again, who's counting? Right, guys?

[jobeterob]

I noticed on Wikipedia it refers to some EMI reports and says I Love You sold 600000 odd copies worldwide; can't possibly be. That's a hit I guess. Particularly when compared to so many struggling artists who only ever sold a few thousand albums in a career.

[soulster]

I noticed on Wikipedia it refers to some EMI reports and says I Love You sold 600000 odd copies worldwide; can't possibly be. That's a hit I guess. Particularly when compared to so many struggling artists who only ever sold a few thousand albums in a career.

They must've forgotten the decimal point right after the 6, because it sounds like someone's delusional fantasy.

[Lulu]

I'm not sure what constitutes a "hit". Are we talking #1? Are we talking any chart impact at all?

I've compiled Diana Ross's chart history for the last ten years on these boards numerous times. Below are the singles and albums that charted in the Top 40 on US charts as well as the UK as we have several members from the UK in the forum.

Unfortunately, the two folks who've provided their own dates above have repeatedly shown that they don't deal in facts but rather personal biases. The truth is, no other Supreme has had ANY Top 40 anything since the group disbanded in 1977. Frankly, no other Supreme ever will [[living or dead, "audio interviews" included).

For the last time, here are the facts kids. No fallacies or delusions. If you want unit counts, perhaps someone else will chime in:

Singles

"When You Tell Me That You Love Me" [[duet with Westlife), #2 UK [[2005)

"I've Got A Crush On You" [[duet with Rod Stewart), #19 US AC [[2006)


Albums

Blue, #2 US Jazz [[2006)

I Love You, #32 US Pop, #16 US R&B [[2007)

[soulster]

I'm not sure what constitutes a "hit". Are we talking #1? Are we talking any chart impact at all?

I've compiled Diana Ross's chart history for the last ten years on these boards numerous times. Below are the singles and albums that charted in the Top 40 on US charts as well as the UK as we have several members from the UK in the forum.

Unfortunately, the two folks who've provided their own dates above have repeatedly shown that they don't deal in facts but rather personal biases. The truth is, no other Supreme has had ANY Top 40 anything since the group disbanded in 1977. Frankly, no other Supreme ever will [[living or dead, "audio interviews" included).

For the last time, here are the facts kids. No fallacies or delusions. If you want unit counts, perhaps someone else will chime in:

Singles

"When You Tell Me That You Love Me" [[duet with Westlife), #2 UK [[2005)

"I've Got A Crush On You" [[duet with Rod Stewart), #19 US AC [[2006)


Albums

Blue, #2 US Jazz [[2006)

I Love You, #32 US Pop, #16 US R&B [[2007)

I don't have any problem with the stats. But, those singles are nowhere. The AC and jazz chart is pretty much insignificant in the scheme of things these days. Again, is she [[or Rod Stewart) competing with Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and Barbra Streisand like back in the 70s and 80s? As a guy who came up in the 60s, 70s, i'm all for veteran artists making big comebacks to the charts. If Ross gets one too, that would be cool.

[Lulu]

The industry is so youth obsessed as we've discussed. Even Streisand who's arguably the most successful of the lot in terms of album sales, ain't gonna score any single hits or Top 40 airplay off of that [[fabulous, I might add) album.

Either way, we're all adults here and I think we could stand to stop the name calling and digs on these senior citizens we've been discussing!

[soulster]

The industry is so youth obsessed as we've discussed. Even Streisand who's arguably the most successful of the lot in terms of album sales, ain't gonna score any single hits or Top 40 airplay off of that [[fabulous, I might add) album.

Except that back in the day, Barbra Streisand was big with the youth. She, along with Neil Sedaka and Paul Anka had top 10 hits.

Either way, we're all adults here and I think we could stand to stop the name calling and digs on these senior citizens we've been discussing!

What are you going on about? No one here is dissing senior citizens or calling anyone names. You're dreaming up problems where there are none.

[Lulu]

Except that back in the day, Barbra Streisand was big with the youth. She, along with Neil Sedaka and Paul Anka had top 10 hits.



What are you going on about? No one here is dissing senior citizens or calling anyone names. You're dreaming up problems where there are none.

I was joking but yes, the insults on these "ladies of a certain age" started when Aretha put that album out! Can't we leave their past weight or addictions to booze, cocaine or fried chicken out of the discourse?!? LOL

[soulster]

I was joking but yes, the insults on these "ladies of a certain age" started when Aretha put that album out! Can't we leave their past weight or addictions to booze, cocaine or fried chicken out of the discourse?!? LOL

I am not the one doing that.

BTW, it's been a long time since i've had some fried chicken. Hmmm...sounds like dinner!

[Lulu]

I am not the one doing that.

BTW, it's been a long time since i've had some fried chicken. Hmmm...sounds like dinner!

Well, tis the season so all I can offer for the next two months is fried turkey!

[jillfoster]

The industry is so youth obsessed as we've discussed. Even Streisand who's arguably the most successful of the lot in terms of album sales, ain't gonna score any single hits or Top 40 airplay off of that [[fabulous, I might add) album.

Either way, we're all adults here and I think we could stand to stop the name calling and digs on these senior citizens we've been discussing!

I ain't dissing, just facts. When I say HIT RECORD, I mean top 20 on the hot 100 or top 20 on the album chart. Top 40 is still a hit, just a middle of the road hit, not a big one. My point was that if Diane had inroads on some way to get a hit record, be it with producers or wrtiers or whatever, she's use it HERSELF, not give it to that skanky heffa of a daughter in law she's got. and I have news for you, "When You Tell Me That You Love Me" deserved to be a top 10 hit. it was a great song. Unfortunately, she only got the chart action in the UK because of the westlife thing, when you hook your wagon to a hot boy band with all the screaming teenyboppers peeing themselves over them, you can't help but have a hit.

[marv2]

I ain't dissing, just facts. When I say HIT RECORD, I mean top 20 on the hot 100 or top 20 on the album chart. Top 40 is still a hit, just a middle of the road hit, not a big one. My point was that if Diane had inroads on some way to get a hit record, be it with producers or wrtiers or whatever, she's use it HERSELF, not give it to that skanky heffa of a daughter in law she's got. and I have news for you, "When You Tell Me That You Love Me" deserved to be a top 10 hit. it was a great song. Unfortunately, she only got the chart action in the UK because of the westlife thing, when you hook your wagon to a hot boy band with all the screaming teenyboppers peeing themselves over them, you can't help but have a hit.

Here it says it didn't even make the Hot 100 in the U.S., that it bombed completely:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diana_Ross_discography

[Lulu]

Here it says it didn't even make the Hot 100 in the U.S., that it bombed completely:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diana_Ross_discography

Newsflash:

I specifically mentioned chart activity over the last ten years which would include the "When You Tell Me That You Love Me" remake with Westlife which charted at #2 in 2005.

Jillfoster referenced the original version which also hit #2 in the UK.

We all know it didn't chart in the US and no one claimed it did so once again, you posted for no reason. Did anything from Walk The Line chart anywhere? Maybe on Planet Marv .

[marv2]

Newsflash:

I specifically mentioned chart activity over the last ten years which would include the "When You Tell Me That You Love Me" remake with Westlife which charted at #2 in 2005.

Jillfoster referenced the original version which also hit #2 in the UK.

We all know it didn't chart in the US and no one claimed it did so once again, you posted for no reason. Did anything from Walk The Line chart anywhere? Maybe on Planet Marv .

EVERYTHING That Diane has released in last 30 years in the United States has bombed [[in regards to the Hot 100......).

[soulster]

I ain't dissing, just facts. When I say HIT RECORD, I mean top 20 on the hot 100 or top 20 on the album chart. Top 40 is still a hit, just a middle of the road hit, not a big one.

That was my point, too.

not give it to that skanky heffa of a daughter in law she's got.

Now, do you know this for a fact? Ralph doesn't want this stuff here. He could ban you for this.

and I have news for you, "When You Tell Me That You Love Me" deserved to be a top 10 hit. it was a great song. Unfortunately, she only got the chart action in the UK because of the westlife thing, when you hook your wagon to a hot boy band with all the screaming teenyboppers peeing themselves over them, you can't help but have a hit.

Exactly! She's be snaggin' Rihanna's producers! Or, maybe she should have done a duet album with Tony Bennett.

[Roberta75]

"skanky heffa of a daughter in law"

really!!!! Is there any need for such hostility and vindictivness Have you met Dianes daughter in law? If you cant say something nice why not say nothing at all?

roberta

[Ryon6]

When was Mary Wilson's last hit?

[soulster]

When was Mary Wilson's last hit?

Don't start.

[marybrewster]

I highly doubt this story. It makes it sound that Ashlee married Evan just for Diana's contacts. With no offense, Diana hasn't had a record since "I Love You." She should have married Chaz Bono.

Ashlee needs to take a lesson from her sister; if there is anyone that has reinvented themselves, it's Jessica.

[soulster]

I highly doubt this story. It makes it sound that Ashlee married Evan just for Diana's contacts. With no offense, Diana hasn't had a record since "I Love You." She should have married Chaz Bono.

Ashlee needs to take a lesson from her sister; if there is anyone that has reinvented themselves, it's Jessica.

Look at Britney Spears: she had a meltdown, shaved her head, got her kid taken away from her, and had a very public breakup. But, she climbed back to the top of the charts .

[Lulu]

I highly doubt this story. It makes it sound that Ashlee married Evan just for Diana's contacts. With no offense, Diana hasn't had a record since "I Love You." She should have married Chaz Bono.

Ashlee needs to take a lesson from her sister; if there is anyone that has reinvented themselves, it's Jessica.

It's true about Chaz Bono. At least Ashlee could win over the gay dudes. I never got the whole Cher thing, still don't but more power to her and her fans!

[stephanie]

The cold reality is that Ross is only huge within her fan base. She's got to parlay that back into the mainstream. She also has to repair her image after reports of "diva" behavior. Sorry, but it's a hard fact that her image, at least in the U.S., is damaged. We are living in the internet era.>>>>>>

Soulster I normally agree with most of the things you post. Ross can sell out when it comes to live performances at MOST of the venues where she chooses to perform. Personally I dont think that the DIVA thing has destroyed her image and its not the Mary Wilson thing either. Most of her problems have come from the alcohol thing and RTL. I personally think the moniker of Call Her Miss Ross and the Randy book did more to tarnish her image than anything. With that being said I believe it is all water under the bridge now and she doesnt need any image repairing. When she was a mentor on American Idol that was a chance to do something but her voice and performance was not up to par. Again time has passed and I dont think that there is anything she needs to do to change her image at this point. The fact she is STILL out there performing and getting good reviews speaks for itself. By the way I am a fan of Diana's but not a rabid one. I am more of a rabid Johnny Rivers and Supremes fan.

[Lulu]

The cold reality is that Ross is only huge within her fan base. She's got to parlay that back into the mainstream. She also has to repair her image after reports of "diva" behavior. Sorry, but it's a hard fact that her image, at least in the U.S., is damaged. We are living in the internet era.>>>>>>

Soulster I normally agree with most of the things you post. Ross can sell out when it comes to live performances at MOST of the venues where she chooses to perform. Personally I dont think that the DIVA thing has destroyed her image and its not the Mary Wilson thing either. Most of her problems have come from the alcohol thing and RTL. I personally think the moniker of Call Her Miss Ross and the Randy book did more to tarnish her image than anything. With that being said I believe it is all water under the bridge now and she doesnt need any image repairing. When she was a mentor on American Idol that was a chance to do something but her voice and performance was not up to par. Again time has passed and I dont think that there is anything she needs to do to change her image at this point. The fact she is STILL out there performing and getting good reviews speaks for itself. By the way I am a fan of Diana's but not a rabid one. I am more of a rabid Johnny Rivers and Supremes fan.

I think things have softened in the last few years as well. The Kennedy Center Honor was a huge deal. I'll be interested to see if Gladys, Dionne, Patti, Cher, or Bette join the ranks. Aretha and Barbra are really the only other divas of that generation to receive the award.

In Dreamgirls, Beyonce's Deena was a fairly sympathetic character and Diana is portrayed the same way in Motown.

I would say most see her as a doting mother and grandmother these days. Appearing on the last season of Oprah's show with the family earned her some points - even her harshest critics among my group of friends caved!

Anywhoo, she may put another album out which will sell well for a while but the "hit" single market for those ladies is simply non-existent.

[reese]

I think things have softened in the last few years as well. The Kennedy Center Honor was a huge deal. I'll be interested to see if Gladys, Dionne, Patti, Cher, or Bette join the ranks. Aretha and Barbra are really the only other divas of that generation to receive the award.

Don't forget Tina. :-)

[Lulu]

Don't forget Tina. :-)

AND Tina! But of course!

[soulster]

Personally I dont think that the DIVA thing has destroyed her image and its not the Mary Wilson thing either. Most of her problems have come from the alcohol thing and RTL. I personally think the moniker of Call Her Miss Ross and the Randy book did more to tarnish her image than anything. With that being said I believe it is all water under the bridge now and she doesnt need any image repairing.

I'm not familiar with those two books, or anything in them. I'm saying that as far as the the mainstream audience is concerned, there is still water on that bridge and hasn't subsided. They remember things all the way back to the days of The Supremes. Her fanbase has moved on, but the rest of the public hasn't. If she wants back on the mainstream pop and R&B charts, she has to repair her image. I don't know how she'll do that, but that has to be taken care of.

It's good that her alcoholism is behind her. So, what she needs to do is talk about it, and all that other stuff. Get it all out there, including the thing with Berry Gordy. Once it's all out there, the gossip and rumors, and any lies, will be gone.

Ashlee's task is much easier. She's young and doesn't have 50 years of history behind her. She doesn't have anything to live up to, either. She's fresh meat. She's still being ridiculed for that SNL debacle, but all she really has to do is get a good album out there with heavy promotion, and she could do it.

I'm talking from the perspective of a non-gay, casual fan who does not worship the floor she walks on. We are not hardcore fans, like the ones on this forum.

[Lulu]

I'm not familiar with those two books, or anything in them. I'm saying that the mainstream audience is concerned, there is still water on that bridge and hasn't subsided. They remember things all the way back to the days of The Supremes. Her fanbase has moved on, but the rest of the public hasn't. If she wants back on the mainstream pop and R&B charts, she has to repair her image. I don't know how she'll do that, but that has to be taken care of.

It's good that her alcoholism is behind her. So, what she needs to do is talk about it, and all that other stuff. Get it all out there, including the thing with Berry Gordy. Once it's all out there, the gossip and rumors, and any lies, will be gone.

Ashlee's task is much easier. She's young and doesn't have 50 years of history behind her. She doesn't have anything to live up to, either. She's fresh meat. She's still being ridiculed for that SNL debacle, but all she really has to do is get a good album out there with heavy promotion, and she could do it.

I'm talking from the perspective of a non-gay, casual fan who does not worship the floor she walks on. We are not hardcore fans, like the ones on this forum.

Hmm...don't really know of any "lingering" issues the public may have with Ross. Folks my parents age and older can barely remember the other girls' names. My mother still calls Mary Wilson "Mary Wells" and then I put "Two Lovers" on and she reminisces about her "cha cha" days at the sock hops. Like I said, Dreamgirls and Motown portray her in a positive light. The thing with Berry Gordy was addressed in Motown and she's talked of Rhonda's parentage on a few occasions. As for their "relationship", it began in 1965 after the group had their first run of #1 hits and Ross had already been dubbed lead singer. I'm not sure what else she could say at this point or needs to. Remember, she's a very private person like Streisand. Frankly, Streisand, LaBelle, and Franklin all have been reported to be difficult so I'm not sure why any speculative public dismay towards her should be viewed any differently. Motown and R&B fans are certainly more likely to rake her over the coals because of the whole..."why did she get to be such a star when they were women with better voices out there?" argument that we've heard a million times.