Jessica Simpson: label forced weight loss to compete with Britney Spears

At a concert in Pennsylvania, Jessica Simpson said her record label pushed her to become the kind of pop star represented by Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, and required her to lose weight to follow in their footsteps. She recalled believing she had been signed for her voice until she was told to lose 15 pounds despite weighing 115, and that the demand came when she was just 17.

By her sophomore album Irresistible the label wanted her to have a six pack; she said she was not built that way and that the experience left her feeling like a failure because she was never good enough. Last year Simpson released the two-part EP Nashville Canyon, her first new music in 15 years, and said the three years she spent working on the album helped heal her.

She added that walking onstage now feels almost more comfortable than being at home. Simpson rose to stardom at 19 with the single I Wanna Love You Forever and the album Sweet Kisses in 1999, later issuing albums including In This Skin and Public Affair.

United States, Pennsylvania

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