Isabelle Caro (12 September 1982 – 17 November 2010) was a French model and actress from Marseille, France, who became well known after appearing in a controversial advertising campaign "No Anorexia" which showed Caro with vertebrae and facial bones showing under her skin in a picture by photographer Oliviero Toscani.^[1][2]

Biography[link]

Caro suffered from severe anorexia nervosa from the age of 13.^[3] Her anorexia was caused by what she called a "troubled childhood".

I had a very complicated childhood, very difficult, very painful. My mother's big phobia was that I would grow. She spent her time measuring my height. She wouldn't let me go outside because she'd heard that fresh air makes children grow, and that's why I was kept at home. It was completely traumatic.

When she appeared on CBS's The Insider, it was revealed that at the worst of her eating disorder, she weighed only 25 kilograms (55 lb; 3 st 13 lb) at a height of 1.65 metres (5 ft 5 in); her most recent weight was 33 kilograms (73 lb; 5 st 3 lb).

She appeared on Channel 4's Supersize vs Superskinny which aired on 11 March 2008, in which she spoke to journalist Anna Richardson about her anorexia.

Caro was hospitalized for the first time when she was 20. At her worst (in terms of lowness of weight), in 2006, she slipped into a coma, weighing just 25kg. The doctor said she would not survive the coma but she did.

Caro was also interviewed in the second episode of the TV documentary series, The Price of Beauty, in which Jessica Simpson and her two best friends, Ken Pavés and CaCee Cobb, traveled the world to explore the meaning of true beauty. Simpson investigated the problem of how some female fashion models have become obsessed with being skinny. Caro talked about how she became anorexic and warned other girls about the affliction. Simpson was moved to say "What you are doing right now makes you more beautiful and I hope women all over the world hear about the story and it is important to know that how skinny you are does not make you beautiful." It aired on 22 March 2010 in the USA and on 21 August in Japan.

Death[link]

Caro died on 17 November 2010 in France, after spending about two weeks in hospital with acute respiratory disease. The cause of her death is unknown, although was probably linked to her weakened state due to anorexia. Caro's acting instructor, Daniele Dubreuil-Prevot, told the Associated Press news agency that Caro had died "after returning to France" from a job in Tokyo, and that "she had been sick for a very long time" (in reference to her anorexia).^[4] Her family only reported Caro's death to the media a month afterward, on 29 December 2010. Caro died in Paris and is buried in the Cimetière du Montparnasse.^[5][6]

On 18 January 2011, it was reported that Caro's mother had killed herself during the previous week.^[7]

See also[link]

• History of anorexia nervosa
• List of models who died during their careers in the 21st century

References[link]

External links[link]

• Her personal blog

Look up Isabelle in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Isabelle is a French feminine given name. It may refer to :

• Isabella of France (disambiguation), a disambiguation page
• Isabelle of Luxembourg (1247–1298), a daughter of Henry V of Luxembourg and his wife Margaret of Bar
• Isabelle of Orléans (disambiguation), a disambiguation page
• Princess Isabelle (disambiguation), a disambiguation page
• Isabelle Abiera (born 1992), a Filipina actress and model
• Isabelle Adjani (born 1955), a French film actress and singer
• Isabelle Antena, a French singer
• Isabelle Arnould (born 1970), a retired Belgian female freestyle swimmer
• Isabelle Aubret (born 1938),a French singer
• Isabelle Autissier (born 1956), a French sailor, navigator, writer and broadcaster
• Isabelle Amyes (born 1950), an English actress
• Isabelle Blais (born 1975), a Canadian actress
• Isabelle Blanc (born 1975), a French snowboarder and Olympic champion
• Isabelle Boulay (born 1972), a francophone Canadian pop singer
• Isabelle Boulogne (born 1971), a French sprint canoer
• Isabelle Brasseur (born 1970), a Canadian figure skater
• Isabelle Breitman (born 1959), a French actress and director
• Isabelle Carbonell, a Belgio-Uruguayan documentary photographer and filmmaker
• Isabelle Caro, a French model suffering from severe anorexia nervosa
• Isabelle Carré (born 1971), a French actress
• Isabelle Champmoreau (born 1974), a New Caledonian politician
• Isabelle Charest (born 1971), a Canadian short track speed skater
• Isabelle Chartrand (born 1978), a Canadian ice hockey player
• Isabelle Cheng (born 1970), an intelligence agent
• Isabelle Collin Dufresne (aka Ultra Violet, born 1935), a French-American artist
• Isabelle Corey (born 1939), a French film actress
• Isabelle Coutant-Peyre (born 1952), a French lawyer
• Isabelle Daniels (born 1937), an American athlete, who mainly competed in the 100 metres
• Isabelle de Charrière (1740–1805), a Dutch-born writer of the Enlightenment
• Isabelle de Craon (1212-), a French noblewoman
• Isabelle Debré (born 1957), a member of the Senate of France
• Isabelle Delobel (born 1978), a French figure skater
• Isabelle Delorme (1900–1991), a Canadian composer, pianist and music educator
• Isabelle Deluce (born 1992), a Canadian actress
• Isabelle de Meulan (born c.1148-1220), a French noblewoman
• Isabelle Demongeot (born 1966), a former French professional tennis player
• Isabelle de Montolieu (1751–1832), a Swiss novelist and translator
• Isabelle Despres, a French slalom canoer
• Isabelle Devaluez (born 1966), a retired French discus thrower
• Isabelle Diks (born 1965), a Dutch GreenLeft politician
• Isabelle Dinoire (born 1967), the first person to undergo a partial face transplant
• Isabelle Duchesnay (born 1963), an ice dancer who competed for both Canada and France
• Isabelle Durant (born 1954), a Belgian politician, member of the Ecolo party
• Isabelle Eberhardt (1877–1904), a Swiss -Algerian explorer and writer
• Isabelle Ferron (born 1967), an actress in both film and stage
• Isabelle Fijalkowski (born 1972), a retired French basketball player
• Isabelle Flory, a French violinist
• Isabelle Fuhrman (born 1997), an American teen actress
• Isabelle Gatti de Gamond (1839–1905), an Italo-Belgian educationalist, feminist and politician
• Isabelle Goldenson (-2005)
• Isabelle Holland (1920–2002), an author of children and adult fiction books
• Isabelle Huppert (born 1953), a French actress
• Isabelle Keith (1898–1979), an American actress
• Isabelle LaMal (1886–1952), an American film actress
• Isabelle Lendl (born 1991), an American amateur golfer
• Isabelle Liberman (1918–1990), an American psychologist
• Isabelle Lucas (1927–1997), a Canadian-born British actress and singer
• Isabelle Mancini (born 1967), a French cross country skier
• Isabelle Mercier (born 1975), a Canadian professional poker player
• Isabelle Mir (born 1949), a French former Alpine skier
• Isabelle Morneau (born 1976), a defender on the Canada women's national soccer team
• Isabelle Mouthon-Michellys (born 1966), a French athlete
• Isabelle Nanty (born 1962), a French actress and film director
• Isabelle Nylander (born 1990), a Swedish figure skater
• Isabelle Pasco (born 1966), a French actress and model
• Isabelle Pasquet (born 1962), a member of the Senate of France
• Isabelle Pearson (born 1981), a Canadian judoka
• Isabelle Peretz, a Professor of Psychology at the University of Montreal
• Isabelle Pieman (born 1983), a Belgian figure skater
• Isabelle Poulenard (born 1961), a French soprano
• Isabelle Rampling (born 1985), a Canadian synchronized swimmer
• Isabelle Redford, an American artist, entrepreneur and philanthropist
• Isabelle Romée (1377–1458), the mother of Joan of Arc
• Isabelle Sadoyan (born 1928), a French actress
• Isabelle Sandy (1884–1975), a French poet and writer
• Isabelle Severino (born 1980), a French gymnast and actress
• Isabelle Simonis (born 1967), a Belgian politician from the Socialist Party
• Isabelle Stengers (born 1949), a Belgian philosopher and the daughter of the historian Jean Stengers
• Isabelle Stoehr (born 1979), a French professional squash player
• Isabelle Turcotte Baird (born 1970), a Canadian athlete
• Isabelle Urquhart (1865–1907), an American stage actress
• Isabelle Vasseur (born 1959), a member of the National Assembly of France
• Isabelle Vengerova (1877–1956), a Russian-born American pianist and music teacher
• Isabelle Wendling (born 1971), a French handball player
• Isabelle Wéry, a Belgian actress and writer
• Isabelle Westbury (born 1990), an English cricketer
• Isabelle White (1894–1972), a British diver

fictional characters

• Isabelle (comics), a Belgian comic book series
• Isabelle of Cornwall, the mother of Tristan in Arthurian legend
• Isabelle Tyler, a fictional character on the USA Network science fiction television series The 4400

Isabelle is also the name of a mathematical theorem prover (proof assistant).

See also[link]

• Ana Isabelle, a Puerto Rican singer
• Katharine Isabelle aka Katherine Isobel Murray (born 1981), a Canadian actress
• Isa, the French shortening for Isabelle

Jessica Simpson
Simpson performing "God Bless America" at the "Joining Forces with the Rockies: Celebrating Military Families" event in Denver, on April 13, 2011.
Background information
Birth name	Jessica Ann Simpson
Born	(1980-07-10) July 10, 1980 (age 31) Abilene, Texas, United States
Genres	Pop, dance, country, R&B
Occupations	Singer-songwriter,[1][2] actress, fashion designer
Years active	1999–present
Labels	Columbia, Epic, Columbia Nashville, Primary Wave, EMI
Associated acts	Nick Lachey, Christina Aguilera, Mandy Moore, Ashlee Simpson, 98 Degrees, Willie Nelson, Kirk Franklin, God's Property, CeCe Winans
Website	jessicasimpson.com

Jessica Ann Simpson (born July 10, 1980) is an American recording artist,^[2] actress, television personality and fashion designer whose rise to fame began in 1999. Since that time, Simpson has achieved many recording milestones, starred in several television shows, movies and commercials, launched a line of hair and beauty products and designed fragrances, shoes and handbags for women. She has devoted time to philanthropic efforts including Operation Smile and a USO-hosted tour for troops stationed overseas. She started the Jessica Simpson Collection in 2005.

She has achieved seven Billboard Top 40 hits, three gold and two multi-platinum Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified studio albums, four of which have reached the top 10 on the US Billboard 200.^[3][4] She has sold 30 million albums worldwide. Simpson starred with her then-husband Nick Lachey in the MTV reality show Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica. She ventured into the country music market in 2008 and released Do You Know.

During the first part of 2010, Simpson released her second reality show on VH1 "The Price of Beauty." In October 2010 she released her first compilation album and last album under the label of Epic Records , with the name Playlist: The Very Best of Jessica Simpson. A month later she released her second Christmas album Happy Christmas under the label Primary Wave Records, owned by EMI.

Biography[link]

1980–1996: Early life and beginnings[link]

Jessica Ann Simpson was born in Abilene, Texas. She is the daughter of Tina Ann (née Drew), a homemaker, and Joseph Truett "Joe" Simpson, a minister and psychologist.^[5] She has a younger sister, Ashlee, who is also a singer.

Simpson began singing at a local Baptist church, where her father also worked as the congregation's youth minister. At age twelve, she unsuccessfully auditioned for The Mickey Mouse Club.^[6] The following year, Simpson attended a church camp, where she sang Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" and an arrangement of "Amazing Grace".^[7] At camp, she was introduced to the founder of Proclaim Records, a minor Gospel music record label. She recorded an album, Jessica, but she was dismissed from the label when it went bankrupt. Jessica was never officially released except for a small pressing funded by her grandmother.^[8][9]

When Simpson was sixteen years old, Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola heard Jessica. Mottola was impressed with Simpson’s musical talent and skill. Simpson was immediately signed to the label. She dropped out of J. J. Pearce High School but later earned her GED.^[10][11]

[edit] 1999–2001: Sweet Kisses and Irresistible

Simpson at the 54th Presidential Inaugural Opening Celebration

Simpson released her first single, "I Wanna Love You Forever", which peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1999, and reached the top ten in ten countries.^[12] Soon afterwards, her major label debut album Sweet Kisses was released. To support the album's release, Simpson toured with Ricky Martin, Destiny's Child, and with boy band 98 Degrees.^{[citation needed]} During the album's recording, she became involved with Nick Lachey.^[13]

Meanwhile, Simpson's album Sweet Kisses had gone double platinum, helped by the follow-up singles "Where You Are" and "I Think I'm In Love With You", which were both released in 2000. The latter became Simpson's biggest radio hit at that point, and was her first release of an uptempo single. Her debut album sold 2 million copies in US. Columbia Records officials reportedly decided Simpson needed a change for her second album. The following year, when Simpson came to record her second album, executives pressured her to have a much more sexy image.^{[citation needed]}

In 2000, Simpson started recording the follow-up to Sweet Kisses, with what Columbia considered more radio-friendly, up-tempo tracks. The sophomore album, titled Irresistible, was released in mid-2001 on the heels of the title-track single. The song "Irresistible" became one of the biggest hits of her career; it peaked at number fifteen on the Hot 100 and stayed in the chart for twenty weeks.^[14] It managed to reach the top forty in some other countries it charted.^{[citation needed]} In addition, it led to the attention of record producer Jermaine Dupri of So So Def Recordings to remix the song within a Hip-Hop—tinged genre style which featured rap artist Lil Bow Wow.^[15]

Irresistible debuted at number 6 in June 2001 on the Billboard 200 chart,^[16] with 127,000^[17] copies sold in its first week. It was later certified Gold^[18] by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling or shipments of 500,000 copies or more. Irresistible has sold 850,000 copies in the US, to date.^{[citation needed]} In order to support the album, Simpson went on her first headlining tour, called the DreamChaser Tour, in mid-August, but due to the September 11, 2001 attacks could not complete the planned dates.^[19]

[edit] 2002–2005: Newlyweds, In this Skin and film career

Simpson and then-husband Nick Lachey at a publicity shoot for the MTV Video Music Awards in 2004.

Simpson married Nick Lachey on October 26, 2002.^[20] She famously announced she had remained a virgin until her marriage.^[21] During the summer of 2003, the reality show, Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica, starring Simpson and Lachey began airing on MTV. Simpson's third album, In This Skin, was released in August 2003 to coincide with the series premiere of Newlyweds.

Newlyweds quickly became a pop culture phenomenon and is credited with making her a household name, even among those who did not follow pop music or MTV. "I never knew that just doing the show would give me that pedestal to step on," Simpson told Blender magazine.^[22]

In This Skin, debuted at number ten on the Billboard 200, with sales of 64,000 in its first week. But, it rebounded after a special collectors' edition was released in April 2004, and subsequently reached a peak of number 2.^[16] It contained the song "Sweetest Sin", which barely even made an impact on the Bubbling Under Hot 100. However, the album did contain the hit singles "With You" (No. 14, 2004) and a cover of the Berlin song "Take My Breath Away" (No. 20, 2004), and a lesser hit, a cover of the Robbie Williams song "Angels", which charted just outside the Billboard Hot 100.^[12] In December 2004, the album was certified three times multi-Platinum by the RIAA.^[23] According to Simpson's biography, the album has sold 4 million copies in US, to date.^[24]

Simpson in 2005 at the premiere for The Dukes of Hazzard

Simpson and Lachey starred in the television special The Nick and Jessica Variety Hour which aired in 2004 and was compared to The Sonny & Cher Show.^[25] In 2005, Newlyweds won a People's Choice Award for Favorite Reality Show before wrapping shortly after.^[26] In late 2004, Simpson released her first Christmas album, Rejoyce: The Christmas Album . It peaked at number fourteen on the Billboard 200 chart and was later certified gold by the RIAA.^[27]

In the summer of 2005, Simpson made her first appearance in a motion picture as Daisy Duke in the movie version of the television series The Dukes of Hazzard.^[28] The film was No. 1 at the box office its opening weekend, and grossed $30.7 million on 3,785 screens. It also had an adjusted-dollar rank of No. 14 all-time for August releases. The film eventually collected $110.5 million worldwide, although it was much less financially successful outside the U.S.^[29] Simpson appeared on The Dukes of Hazzard soundtrack, releasing "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'", a cover of the 1966 Nancy Sinatra. The song peaked at number fourteen on the Billboard Hot 100 and won a People's Choice Award for Favorite Song from a Movie, in 2006.^[12][30] The song's video featured Simpson as Daisy Duke. It contains scenes of her flirting and singing in a bar and then later washing the General Lee car, wearing a skin-tight, revealing pink bikini. In some countries the video was banned for its overtly sexual content. Simpson received criticism from a Christian group calling itself "The Resistance", for the sexualized image she used in the music video for "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'".^[31] In response, Simpson stated, "It didn't really surprise me because I grew up with a lot of that backlash. That's why I didn't end up going into the Christian music industry. I think that if they're really good Christians the judgment wouldn't be there."^[32]

In November 2005, Simpson and Lachey announced they were separating. Simpson filed for divorce on December 16, 2005, citing "irreconcilable differences."^[33][34] Their divorce was finalized on June 30, 2006.^[35]

[edit] 2006–2007: A Public Affair and Employee of the Month

In 2006, Simpson parted from Columbia. On 29 August 2006, she released her fifth studio album A Public Affair under Epic Records. A Public Affair debuted as fifth on the Billboard 200. 101,000 copies sold in its first week and 500,000 copies in the US overall, a low figure compared to Simpson's previous albums. The first single from the album, bearing the same name "A Public Affair", debuted at number thirty-nine, her highest debut after "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'", and reached a peak of number fourteen on the Hot 100. It also hit number 1 on the Hot Dance Club Play, becoming Simpson's first number one single on the chart. Internationally, it reached the top ten in Canada and Ireland. The video featured appearances by actresses Eva Longoria and Christina Applegate, singer Christina Milian, Maria Menounos, Andy Dick, and Ryan Seacrest.

Simpson in August 2006

Simpson's second film, Employee of the Month, was released October 6, 2006. With poor reviews, the film took in $11.8 million in its opening weekend, debuting at number 4 just behind Open Season.^[36] In December 2006, while performing a tribute to Dolly Parton at the Kennedy Center Awards, she botched the lyrics, getting flustered in front of a crowd that included prominent persons such as Steven Spielberg, Shania Twain, and President Bush. Though Simpson was given the chance to redo the song for cameras, her portion was edited out of the CBS broadcast.^[37][38]

In November 2007, Simpson began dating Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo. The relationship was controversial among some Dallas Cowboys fans and she was blamed by them when Romo had poor football performances. Some of the Cowboys' fans gave her the nickname "Yoko Romo" in comparison to Yoko Ono, who many Beatles fans blame for "ruining" John Lennon.^[39] Even then-President George W Bush jokingly endorsed the "Jessica jinx" after the Giants went on to win the Super Bowl in 2008. During the traditional White House reception for the winning team, President Bush quipped, "We're going to send Jessica Simpson to the Democrat National Convention".^[40] On July 13, 2009, People reported that Romo and Simpson had ended their relationship.^[41]

In December 2007, Simpson co-starred with Luke Wilson in her third film, Blonde Ambition. The film opened in eight theaters in Texas (the home state of both Simpson and Wilson), and earned US $6,422. It was released on DVD in January 2008.^[42] Blonde Ambition fared better overseas, where it grossed $253,008 in Ukraine its opening weekend.^[43]

[edit] 2008–2009: Move to country and Do You Know

Simpson on her promo tour, in 2008.

In September 2007, Simpson's father Joe Simpson stated to People magazine that Simpson was considering doing a country album. Joe Simpson told People that she is "talking about doing a country record and going back to her roots, being from Texas."^[44]

"Come On Over", first leaked onto the internet on May 27, 2008. Shortly after country radio stations around the country began giving the single radio play. In the United States, "Come on Over" became the most-added song to country radio for the week of June 6, 2008, debuting at number forty-one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. It broke a record held by Miranda Lambert ("Me and Charlie Talking") and Brad Cotter ("I Meant To") for highest-debuting first chart entry by a solo artist; both artists debuted at number forty-two on that same chart.^[45] The video for the first single, "Come On Over", premiered on Simpson's official website in July 2008.^[46] The single peaked at number eighteen on the Billboard Hot Country Songs. Prior to the album release, Simpson performed at select state fairs and visited various country music radio stations in order to promote the album. On July 19, 2008, Simpson performed at the Country Thunder Festival in Wisconsin. She was booed by the crowd and received a poor reception from country music critics.^[47] She responded by saying, "I don't know what your perception is of Jessica Simpson or what tabloid you buy, but I just want you to know that I'm just a girl from Texas; I’m just like you. I'm doing what I love and dating a boy."^[48] The country album, entitled Do You Know, was released on September 9, 2008.^[49] It debuted at number 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart in both the US and Canada, giving Simpson her first number 1 album of her career. She opened for Rascal Flatts on their "Bob That Head Tour" from January 17 through March 14, 2009.

Simpson's next movie, Major Movie Star (later renamed Private Valentine: Blonde and Dangerous) was released to DVD on February 3, 2009.^[50]

2010–present: Return to Reality TV, motherhood and eighth studio album[link]

Simpson's VH1 documentary series, The Price of Beauty, began airing in March 2010. The series followed Simpson around the world, introducing viewers to the different perceptions of beauty in different cultures.^[51][52][53] The premiere episode attracted one million viewers,^[54][55] but Simpson revealed that the series would return in 2011 with a format change.^[56] Initially, Simpson planned to release a new studio album that would end her contract with her label, Epic Records.^[57] However, a greatest hits compilation, Playlist: The Very Best of Jessica Simpson, was released in late October instead.^[58] Simpson's second holiday album, Happy Christmas, released under Primary Wave in November, 2011.^[59]

In June 2011, it was announced that Simpson participated as a mentor in NBC's new reality show Fashion Star with Elle McPherson.^[60] In July 2011, she appeared on Fashion Star alongside Nicole Richie.^[61]

On November 14, 2010, Simpson announced her engagement to Eric Johnson.^[62] On May 1, 2012, Simpson gave birth to their first child, a daughter named Maxwell Drew Johnson.^[63][64]

Other projects[link]

Cosmetics and clothing[link]

"Jessica Simpson Dessert by Jessica Simpson" was launched in April, 2004 after co-founders Randi Shinder and Simpson designed a line of edible perfume, lip gloss and other beauty products under the Dessert Beauty brand. A parallel line named Dessert Treats was launched the following year in February, 2005. The new line was marketed at a much younger audience.^[65]

Simpson and stylist Ken Pavés launched a line of hair and beauty products on the Home Shopping Network.^[66] Simpson also created the Jessica Simpson Collection (JSC) in which she designs and markets a line of handbags and (primarily high-heeled) shoes and boots.^[67] JSC is projected to become the first celebrity brand to break $1 billion in annual sales,^[68] and will launch an e-commerce beauty site with celebrity aesthetician Nerida Joy, BeautyMint, on October 31, 2011.^[69] The Jessica Simpson's Intimates began selling in major department stores and online shopping sites in spring 2009.^[70]

Simpson has launched a fragrance line. Her fragrance was made by Parlux Fragrances. Her debut perfume, Fancy, was launched in 2008. The success of Fancy spawned three more fragrances, Fancy Love, Fancy Nights and I Fancy You.^[71]

Commercials[link]

Simpson has made commercials for Pizza Hut, Proactiv Solution and a commercial for Ice Breakers with her sister Ashlee. In 2005, she started advertising Proactiv Solution, an over-the-counter acne medicine. In 2006, she premiered in another Pizza Hut commercial for the Super Bowl XL broadcast. She sang "These Bites Are Made For Poppin'," in reference to the song "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'," to advertise the new Cheesy Bites Pizza.^[72] In 2007, the Super Bowl featured her third Pizza Hut commercial, which again promoted the Cheesy Bites Pizza.^[73] She has also advertised DirecTV in character as Daisy Duke.^[74]

Philanthropy[link]

Simpson is Operation Smile's International Youth Ambassador.^[75][76]

Jessica Simpson performing in USO/DoD Celebrity Tour at Eagle Base 14 November 2001

In March 2007, Simpson donated a new Chrysler minivan to the Elim orphanage in Nuevo Laredo. Simpson won a Chrysler Crossfire sports car at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards, but exchanged the $50,000 luxury car for a minivan so she could help the orphanage.^[77]

Political endorsements[link]

Jessica Simpson is a Republican.^[78] Simpson endorsed George W. Bush for president in 2004,^[79] but was later said to have "snubbed" him by canceling an appearance at a 2006 Republican fundraiser in Washington, D.C.. The singer's father, Joe Simpson, explained that he and Jessica are "big supporters" of the president, who invited them. They felt it was inappropriate to attend a political fundraiser.^[80]

Filmography[link]

Discography[link]

• Sweet Kisses (1999)
• Irresistible (2001)
• In This Skin (2003)
• Rejoyce: The Christmas Album (2004)
• A Public Affair (2006)
• Do You Know (2008)
• Happy Christmas (2010)

Tours[link]

Headlining

• DreamChaser Tour (2001)
• Reality Tour (2004)

Co-headlining

• MTV TRL Tour (2001)

Opening act

• Heat It Up Tour (98 Degrees) (2000)
• Bob That Head Tour (Rascal Flatts) (2009)

Awards and nominations[link]

References[link]

Further reading[link]

• Mitchell, Susan K (2008), Jessica Simpson, Gareth Stevens Pub, ISBN 978-0-8368-8201-8, http://books.google.ca/books?id=hHdl5O2TSPsC&lpg=PP1&dq=Jessica%20Simpson%22&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q&f=true 
• Simpson, Jessica; Katina Z. Jones (2004), I do: achieving your dream wedding, W Press, ISBN 0-9748603-0-1, http://books.google.ca/books?id=e-BoIF2bQcEC&lpg=PP1&dq=Jessica%20Simpson%22&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q&f=true 

External links[link]

Jessica Simpson portal

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Jessica Simpson

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Jessica Simpson

• Jessica Simpson's Official Website
• Jessica Simpson at the Internet Movie Database
• Jessica Simpson at People.com
• Jessica Simpson Collection

v t e Jessica Simpson Studio albums Sweet Kisses Irresistible In This Skin ReJoyce: The Christmas Album A Public Affair Do You Know Happy Christmas Compilation albums This Is the Remix Playlist: The Very Best of Jessica Simpson Video albums DreamChaser Reality Tour Live Concert tours MTV TRL Tour DreamChaser Tour Reality Tour Television Fashion Star The Price of Beauty Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica Films The Dukes of Hazzard Employee of the Month Blonde Ambition Private Valentine: Blonde & Dangerous Related articles Operation Smile Jessica Simpson Collection Ashlee Simpson Book:Jessica Simpson Portal:Jessica Simpson

Gilbert Arenas

No. 10 – Memphis Grizzlies
Guard
Personal information
Born	(1982-01-06) January 6, 1982 (age 30) Tampa, Florida
Nationality	American
High school	Grant HS (Los Angeles, California)
Listed height	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight	215 lb (98 kg)
Career information
College	Arizona
NBA Draft	2001 / Round: 2 / Pick: 30th overall
Selected by the Golden State Warriors
Pro career	2001–present
Career history
2001–2003	Golden State Warriors
2003–2010	Washington Wizards
2010–2011	Orlando Magic
2012–present	Memphis Grizzlies
Career highlights and awards
3× NBA All-Star (2005–2007) All-NBA Second Team (2007) 2× All-NBA Third Team (2005–2006) NBA Most Improved Player (2003)

Gilbert Jay Arenas, Jr. (pronounced /əˈriːnɨs/; born January 6, 1982) is an American professional basketball player who plays for the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He plays as a point guard and shooting guard.

Arenas attended Grant High School in Valley Glen, California, and accepted a scholarship offer to the University of Arizona late in his junior year. He entered the 2001 NBA Draft and was selected in the second round (30th pick) by the Golden State Warriors.

Arenas is a three-time NBA All-Star, three-time member of the All-NBA Teams, and was voted the NBA Most Improved Player in the 2002–03 season. Arenas was most often nicknamed "Agent Zero," due to his former jersey number, but has increasingly been referred to as "Hibachi," a nod to the small Japanese heating device, which literally translates to "bowl of fire."^[1] Both names quickly became fan favorites in the Washington area during his time there.

Arenas was suspended for most of the 2009–10 season because of handgun violations stemming from an episode on December 24, 2009, and for subsequent actions that appeared to make light of this episode.

In late 2010, Arenas was traded from the Washington Wizards to the Orlando Magic. On December 9, 2011, Arenas was waived by the Orlando Magic.

NBA career[link]

Rise to prominence[link]

When Arenas entered the 2001 NBA Draft out of the University of Arizona, his dream was to be drafted by the New York Knicks,^{[citation needed]} who had two picks in the first round. They had shown interest in him but they passed. With no position solidified and a shaky prospect at best, Arenas went the entire first round without being drafted.

The Golden State Warriors finally drafted him with the second pick in the second round (30th overall). Although the Warriors did not enjoy much team success during his tenure with them, Arenas quickly established himself as one of the league's bright young talents.^{[peacock term]} In 2003, his second year in the league, Arenas received the NBA Most Improved Player Award and was named Most Valuable Player of the Rookie-Sophomore game during the NBA All-Star Weekend.

After that season, he signed with the Washington Wizards, reportedly after flipping a coin to decide among several teams, including the Wizards, Warriors, and Los Angeles Clippers.^[2] He signed a six-year, $60 million contract with Washington, which the Warriors were unable to match since they were over the salary cap. The "Gilbert Arenas Rule" was later created to allow teams like the Warriors the ability to re-sign restricted free agents.^[3] Arenas battled a strained abdominal muscle injury all season. However, Arenas teamed up with shooting guard Larry Hughes (22.0 points per game) in 2004–05 to give the Wizards the highest scoring backcourt duo in the NBA. Arenas was selected for his first NBA All-Star Game. He guided the team to a 45-win season and its first playoff berth since 1997. Arenas led the team in scoring with 25.5 ppg, and finished seventh in the league in that category. He also finished sixth in the league in steals per game in 2004–05 with 2.24 (Hughes led the league with 2.93 steals per game).

Gilbert Arenas during his tenure with the Washington Wizards

In the fifth game of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs in 2005, Arenas hit a 16-foot fadeaway as time expired to give the Wizards a 112–110 win over the Chicago Bulls. The Wizards eventually won the series, the franchise's first playoff series victory in more than a decade.

Known for his fierce competitiveness and somewhat unusual behavior and style, Arenas quickly became a fan favorite in Washington.^{[peacock term]} In 2006, Wizards fansite Wizznutzz.com jokingly dubbed him "Agent Zero," a nickname Arenas liked so much that it stuck.^[4]

2005–06 season[link]

Arenas averaged 29.3 points, which ranked fourth among the scoring leaders, two steals (also fourth), and 6.1 assists per game. Despite his accomplishments, neither fans nor coaches selected Arenas to the 2006 All-Star Game. He was able to get in due to the injury to Indiana Pacers forward–center Jermaine O'Neal. He also participated in the Three-point Shootout, where he was the runner-up to Dirk Nowitzki in the contest.

During the off-season, Arenas said that he was willing to take a pay cut in order to give the Wizards additional money with which to sign available free agents. He had expressed a desire to win a championship with the Wizards. One of Arenas' most memorable plays was a 40-foot jump shot in Round 1 of the 2006 NBA playoffs in which the Wizards were eliminated by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

2006–07 season[link]

On January 3, 2007, Arenas hit a 32-foot buzzer-beater to win the game against the Milwaukee Bucks, 108–105.^[5] Two weeks later on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day he hit yet another buzzer-beating three-pointer to beat the Utah Jazz, 114–111, in a thriller at the Verizon Center.^[6] This same scenario has been added as a cut scene in the video game NBA Live 2008. He also hit a game-winning layup as time expired to beat the Seattle SuperSonics on March 21, 2007.^[7]

In an overtime game versus the Los Angeles Lakers on December 17, 2006 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Arenas scored a career-high 60 points, adding 8 rebounds and 8 assists in helping lead the Wizards over the Lakers 147–141. Arenas now holds the Wizards' franchise record for most points scored in a game by an individual. The previous record was held by Earl Monroe with 56 points, achieved in 1968 which was also an overtime game against the Lakers. Arenas's 16 points in the extra period also set an NBA record for most points in one overtime period, surpassing Earl Boykins' record by one point.^[8]

Arenas himself has noted that he withdrew from the United States national team for the 2006 FIBA World Championship because he felt that assistant coaches Mike D'Antoni and Nate McMillan had pre-determined the roster even prior to tryouts. Afterward, he stated that he planned on averaging 50 points against their respective teams (Phoenix Suns and Portland Trail Blazers). He succeeded at his goal versus powerhouse Phoenix, scoring 54 points, including 21-of-37 from the field, 6-of-12 three-pointers (while reportedly eyeing in the direction of Suns chairman Jerry Colangelo), in a high-scoring 144–139 Wizards win over the Suns.^[9] However, on February 11 versus the Blazers, he was held to a lowly nine points, including tying the Wizards' franchise record for three-point futility, going 0-for-8 from behind the arc, in a 94–73 loss versus Portland.^[10]

In February, 2007, during the final days of All-Star voting, Arenas was voted as a first-time starter for the 2007 NBA All-Star game for the Eastern Conference, edging out Vince Carter by a slight margin, with 1,454,166 votes to Carter's 1,451,156.^[11] At the time he was averaging 29.7 points per game, second in the league.^[11]

Towards the end of the season Arenas tore his MCL during a game against the Charlotte Bobcats when Gerald Wallace fell into his leg. The Wizards struggled to finish the season with Arenas and teammate Caron Butler both being injured. Washington earned a playoff berth, but was swept in the first round in a rematch with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

During the offseason, Arenas told The Washington Post that he would "opt out" of his contract after the 2007–08 season, making him a free agent. He stated, "...if something happens where they don't want me or they're going in a different direction, I can look elsewhere. But my intentions are not to leave."^[12]

2007–08 season[link]

Arenas had only played in 8 games this season due to a knee injury, before he started practicing again in March, and returned to action on April 2, 2008 against the Milwaukee Bucks,^[13] scoring 17 points in a 110–109 home loss.^[14]

Ten days prior, Arenas stormed out of the locker room before a game against the Detroit Pistons.^[15] He had wanted to play, but his doctor did not give him clearance.^[16] Arenas made a surprise return on April 9, when he came out of the locker room with 5:30 left in the first quarter. He finished the game scoring 13 points and dishing out 3 assists in helping the Wizards beat the Boston Celtics 109–95.^[17] He came off the bench for the rest of the regular season as not to disrupt the chemistry the Wizards had built without him. Arenas got his wish when they matched up against the Cavaliers for the third straight year; however, it was apparent he was not 100% healthy. In games 1–3, he played limited minutes, citing soreness in his surgically repaired knee. A few minutes before game 4 of their first-round playoff appearance against the Cavaliers, Arenas announced he would sit out the rest of the playoffs.^[13]

On June 9, 2008, Arenas officially opted out of the final year of his contract. Arenas also stated that he would consider re-signing with the Wizards if they were able to retain fellow free agent and teammate Antawn Jamison. The Wizards did indeed sign Jamison to a contract.^[18][19] Arenas was offered a five-year contract worth more than $100 million by the Golden State Warriors and another max deal by the Wizards, a six-year deal worth $124 million.^[20] On July 13, 2008, Arenas signed a contract worth $111 million over six years with the Wizards.^[21]

2008–09 season[link]

Due to the various injuries he had been getting since April 2007, Arenas did not play in any game at all for the Wizards until March 28, 2009, scoring 15 points and dishing 10 assists in a 98–96 loss to the Detroit Pistons.^[22] He also played a second game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, in which both teams wore their respective throwback jerseys. Arenas dished out 10 assists and scored 10 points, in a win, and fans were excited to see Arenas, Brendan Haywood, Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler re-uniting for the first time in the season.

2009–10 season[link]

Arenas opened the season on a hopeful note, scoring 29 points as the Wizards beat the Dallas Mavericks 102–91 in their season opener. However, Arenas' performance would be inconsistent in the weeks ahead; on November 11, he set a Wizards team record for turnovers in a game with 12.^[23] On December 12, Arenas netted his first triple double in five and a half years in a loss to the Pacers.^[24] Six days later Arenas had a season-best 45 points in a Wizards win over his former team, the Golden State Warriors.

On December 24, 2009, it was revealed that Arenas had admitted to storing unloaded firearms in his locker at Verizon Center and had surrendered them to team security. In doing so, Arenas not only violated NBA rules against bringing firearms into an arena, but also violated D.C. ordinances as well.^[25] On January 1, 2010, it was also reported that Arenas and teammate Javaris Crittenton had unloaded guns in the Wizards' locker room during a Christmas Eve argument regarding gambling debts. The D.C. Metropolitan Police and the U.S. Attorney's office began investigating,^[26] and on January 14, 2010, Arenas was charged with carrying a pistol without a license, a violation of Washington D.C.'s gun-control laws.^[27] Arenas pleaded guilty on January 15 to the felony of carrying an unlicensed pistol outside a home or business.^[28]

On January 6, 2010, the NBA suspended Arenas indefinitely without pay until its investigation was complete. NBA Commissioner David Stern said in a statement that "his ongoing conduct has led me to conclude that he is not currently fit to take the court in an NBA game." By nearly all accounts, Stern felt compelled to act when Arenas' teammates surrounded him during pregame introductions prior to a game with the Philadelphia 76ers, and he pretended to shoot them with guns made from his fingers.^[29] The Wizards issued a statement of their own condemning the players' pregame stunt as "unacceptable".^[30] On January 27, 2010, Arenas and Crittenton were suspended for the rest of the season, after meeting with Stern.^[31] On February 2, 2010, Arenas wrote an open editorial in the Washington Post, in which he apologized for his actions, particularly for failing to be a better role model to young fans and for "making light of a serious situation".^[32] On March 26, 2010, Arenas was convicted for his crimes and was sentenced to two years probation and 30 days in a halfway house.^[33] Arenas started his sentence in the halfway house on April 9. He was released on May 7.^[34] The punishment for Arenas was significantly stiffer than for Crittenton, who received a year of unsupervised probation, or even Delonte West, who had been driving around neighboring Prince George's County with several loaded guns including a shotgun in a violin case.^[35] For his crime West received eight months home detention, two months of unsupervised probation, and forty hours of community service.^[36] In November of 2011 Crittenton was charged with murder in connection with the shooting of Julian Jones in Atlanta Georgia.^[37]

2010–11 season[link]

Upon his return to the Wizards for the 2010-11 season, Arenas elected to change his number from 0 to 9, claiming he was trying to put the entire incident from the previous season behind him. (Arenas had worn 0 all the way from college through his time in the NBA as a constant reminder of the number of minutes his critics said he would play in the NBA.)^[38]

After leading the Wizards in scoring for the first 24 games of the season, on December 18, 2010, Arenas was traded to the Orlando Magic for Rashard Lewis.^[39] Arenas chose to wear #1 on his jersey in honor of his favorite player, Penny Hardaway.^[40]

2011–12 season[link]

On December 9, 2011, Arenas was waived by the Orlando Magic under the amnesty clause.^[41] He cleared waivers and became a free agent.^[42]

On March 20, 2012, the Memphis Grizzlies signed Arenas.^[43]

Personal life[link]

Arenas was born in Tampa, Florida. His paternal grandfather is originally from Cuba.^[44] He was raised in the San Fernando Valley section of Los Angeles where he played basketball at Ulysses S. Grant High School. His #25 was retired by the school. One of his cousins is Javier Arenas, a professional football player who plays cornerback for the Kansas City Chiefs. Another cousin, Armando Murillo, is also a defensive back for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. On January 5, 2007, Arenas threw a million dollar 25th birthday party for himself which was dubbed "Arenas Express". The party, which was hosted by hip hop mogul P Diddy, was attended by many celebrities and drew national media attention.^[45] Arenas is a friend of rapper The Game and was listed in the booklet for The Game's second album Doctor's Advocate. He collects a synthetic basketball from each team played, as well as players' jerseys, of which he has more than 200, most of which are autographed.^[46] He supported PETA's anti-fur mission by posing shirtless for their "Ink, Not Mink" campaign.^[47] Arenas is an avid Halo player—his Gamertag is Agent Arenas—and officially sponsored Final Boss, a professional Halo 3 team.^{[48][49][50][51]} In 2007, Arenas was chosen as the front cover model for video game NBA Live 08 sporting his "good luck" Wizards alternative jersey. "This is a dream come true," he said. "I'm a huge gamer and have been playing NBA LIVE since 1995. I never imagined that I would see my face on the cover of an EA Sports videogame."^[49]

Arenas donated $100 for every point he scored in each home game during the 2006–07 season to local D.C. area schools, while Wizards team owner Abe Pollin matched that contribution for each away game. He also mentors a D.C. boy who lost his family in a fire at age 10. Arenas takes him shopping, bowling, got him a job as a ball boy for the Wizards, and acts as a brotherly figure towards him.^[44]

Arenas has had his own shoe, the Adidas Gil Zero, as well as his own line of Adidas TS Lightswitch shoes. Arenas wears size 14 ¹⁄₂ shoes.^[52] Following the gun incident in 2009, Adidas dropped their sponsorship of Arenas. Instead of signing another endorsement deal, he turned to his vast collection of shoes. For nearly every game of the season, Arenas wore a different pair of shoes, wearing a total of 77 different pairs.

NBA career statistics[link]

Regular season[link]