Ashlee Simpson

I feel let down, Ash. The cognoscenti dismissed the rock moves on last year's Autobiography, but I believed in them -- and in you! You were tough, and that quality should have served you well in the wake of your recent adversity. So what happened? Why is the "you" in...

By Michael Roberts

November 3, 2005

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "12017618",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17242653",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261320",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261321",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

I feel let down, Ash. The cognoscenti dismissed the rock moves on last year's Autobiography, but I believed in them -- and in you! You were tough, and that quality should have served you well in the wake of your recent adversity. So what happened? Why is the "you" in Me less sassy than self-pitying?

Sure, the title track has some of the old swagger, and "Boyfriend" is catchy and confident. On the latter, though, you deal with your side in the Lindsay Lohan-Wilmer Valderrama love triangle by wailing "I didn't steal your boyfriend" instead of telling that hair-dyeing ho to shove it. Same goes with your reaction to the SNL lip-synching fiasco. Mewling about your hurt feelings in crapola like "Catch Me When I Fall" is the wrong move. You should have cranked up the guitars, told Lorne Michaels to kiss your ass, and square-danced into the sunset.

Next time, don't let the bastards get the best of you -- and don't get back together with Ryan Cabrera, either. Talk about making a bad situation worse...

Become A Member

BEFORE YOU GO...
Can you help us continue to share our stories? Since the beginning, Westword has been defined as the free, independent voice of Denver — and we'd like to keep it that way. Our members allow us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls.

Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

Contact: Michael Roberts

Follow:

Facebook: 111180895657427

Twitter: @mikerobertscolo