If you tuned into TRL today for Spankin’ New Ladies Week, you may’ve heard New York Giants star Osi Umenyiora drop Jessica Simpson’s name when asked about his favorite female artist. He’s clearly keeping tabs on the former MTV reality star, because he also mentioned her upcoming country album.
No, not as in “we’ze just country,”driving-with-your-toddler-in-your-lap-Britney-style country. As in classy, Carrie Underwood-in-diamonds country. Lately, Jessica’s been spending lots of time in Nashville recording a country follow-up to 2006’s A Public Affair. According to Papa Joe, the album’s almost done, and now she’s setting her sights on a possible reality show, possibly on MTV sister network, CMT.
Jessica Simpson? Goin’ country? After wearing what may or may not have been Adam Levine’s shirt, yo-yo dating John Mayer, rollerskating with Andy Dick (see the video below if you have no idea what we’re talking about) and winning the ire of the entire Dallas Cowboys fan base, it’s easy to forget that this girl can actually sing and does have roots in country and gospel. And what better way to transition from reality TV star back to singer than… through a reality show?
For real though, Jessica can most definitely wail, and we’d love to hear an album full of Opry-worthy barnstormers, boo-hooey ballads and daring duets — like the one that’s allegedly in the works with the legendary Dolly Parton, whose next album, Backwoods Barbie, (her first in nearly a decade), is out tomorrow. Yee to the haw, y’all!