Goddess: Celebrity Moms and DadsSweet ‘Pieces’ of Ashlee
An Exclusive omg! Chat with Ashlee Simpson-Wentz
Ashlee Simpson-Wentz took a quick break from belting out "Chicago" show tunes Wednesday morning, swapping the Broadway stage for Times Square, where she introduced Hershey's Pieces Candies to the public. omg! caught up with the sweet-toothed star for a chat about babies, hubby Pete Wentz, Auntie Jessica's babysitting skills, and her plans for the future.
Singer. Actress. Wife. Mother. Broadway star. In the past few years, Ashlee Simpson-Wentz has taken on almost as many new roles as she has hair colors. Some have been successful, some not so much -- her unceremonious dismissal from "Melrose Place" last October was a blow, but the tenacious star bounced back fast, landing the starring role of Roxie Hart in the Broadway musical "Chicago" -- the same part she played on London's West End in 2006.
The currently brunette performer confesses that of all her many roles, her favorite is playing mom to 14-month-old Bronx Mowgli Wentz. "He's doing something new every day," she smiles. "He loves music and doing his funny little dancy dances." Though she won't say whether her son has a preference yet for either his mom's or his dad's music, Simpson-Wentz shares that the musical family likes to listen to everything from Bob Marley to the Elmo song -- "We sing at home with Bronx. His favorite is probably the 'Yo Gabba Gabba!' song right now [from the Nick Jr. children's show]."
As for whether Bronx is developing his own little personality, the singer laughs, "Oh yeah, he's a real little boy. He likes things that are gross. If I'm like, 'Ewwwww, Bronx,' he thinks it's so funny. He's got the best giggle now. He's hilarious!"
Looking ultra fit these days, Simpson-Wentz admits that she doesn't have a set fitness regime. "I'm doing eight shows a week right now," she notes. "That's an endurance exercise in itself! I eat healthy, but I love a grilled cheese too. It's all about moderation. I don't have a food obsession."
Sounds like her gig promoting the new Hershey's Pieces Candies is a dream job for the star. "I definitely have a sweet tooth, and the York Peppermint Pieces are the best. I love the mint flavor." She adds with a giggle, "My life is go, go, go, so it's nice to have a little chocolate snack!" Her son, however, is still sticking to a mostly organic diet -- "Bronx isn't allowed sweets yet, but he did get to try cake for the first time on his first birthday, and he just about exploded! He loved it."
How else does the actress stay in such great shape? By carrying her son around. "He weighs 30 pounds!" she exclaims. And, just to make you all jealous, Simpson-Wentz also credits her slim figure to that old faithful, genetics: "Luckily, I've got good genes too. That always helps!"
The Broadway star gets a helping hand from her rock star husband as well. Married in May 2008, Ashlee and Pete Wentz always look the cute couple when out and about in New York City, where Pete is often spotted toting little Bronx around on his back. "Pete is a wonderful dad," says the star with emotion. "I have a great husband, and we're a good team." Juggling a career with a new husband and baby seems like a lot for a 25-year-old to handle, but this musical multi-tasker makes it sound easy, "We're a family and we keep a good balance -- we make it work." And, with her mom and big sister Jessica on hand, the singer also has a great supply of willing babysitters. "Jessica is such a great aunt. She loves Bronxy, and so does my mom." Simpson-Wentz laughs, "Whenever we're back in LA, they're definitely like, 'Can we please come over?'"
So how does the Hollywood star keep the romance alive with Wentz? "Pete's always coming up with sweet surprises," she replies with a grin. Pressed for details, she continues, "You never want to give too much away, but Pete always comes up with good things. I haven't had time to go shopping lately, and he surprised me the other day with the most amazing pair of Alaia shoes, and said, 'Wear these, and we're going to go on a nice date.'" After a pause, she adds, "I'm in love with my husband, we just keep it special."
With two weeks left to go on her "Chicago" run, 2010 is all about new possibilities. "I'm going to take a few weeks to just take a deep breath, and enjoy being at home," says Simpson-Wentz, "and then I'll start writing again, getting back in the studio, and looking at scripts." When asked if her new album will be of a similar style to her last, or have any influence from her Fall Out Boy husband, the singer replies, "I'm definitely in a new place in my life. Pete and I share music, but I'm going to keep doing my own thing."
