Jessica Simpson Declares Love for Country and Cowboys

Jessica Simpson is trying to prove that the starlet you read about in the tabloids is not who she really is. The 27-year-old beauty clears up a lot of misconceptions in this month's Glamour magazine, revealing the battle she fought to move to country music and the battle against naysayers in her relationship with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo.

"I have been in the studio, writing and recording an album in Nashville. It's country," Simpson tells Glamour. "I should have done this a long time ago. I fought with my label three years ago about it. This time I said I wouldn't make another album unless it's country."

Simpson has some of country's heaviest hitters on her side. She's said to be collaborating with Dolly Parton, Charley Pride, Willie Nelson and Big & Rich's John Rich on the album. She also shares writing credits on many of the songs with some of the genre's most successful scribes.

"I co-write. That's why I lived in Nashville," she says. "I think what [the songwriters] liked was that I was open. They thought Jessica Simpson was going to be what they read about in tabloids. That's not me."

Simpson also tells Glamour that she's enjoying a somewhat paparazzi-free life these days. She's been splitting her time between Nashville and Dallas, where beau Romo lives. For the first time, the singer goes into detail about her new love on the record.

"What he's done for me is irreplaceable," she says. "He reintroduced me to myself. I thought that I had to be deeper, more profound and more artsy. You change with the guys you date. [I thought] I had to be more intellectual. Come on -- just be yourself! Tony taught me that because he loves me [as me]."

Simpson goes on to express anger over the so-called 'Jersey-gate,' referring to her presence at the Dallas Cowboys-Philadelphia Eagles game when Romo played the worst statistical game of his career. She tells the magazine that she's perplexed by the huge fuss that was made over her being in the stands, wearing a jersey with Romo's number on it.

"Everybody takes everything out on me!" she says, laughing. "But that was ludicrous. I don't understand why they think that I would be a distraction to Tony. Do they really think he can see way far up in that box? No. He's the most focused person I've ever dated. I love Dallas. I love the Cowboys. I grew up watching Troy Aikman and Roger Staubach."

So far, Simpson and Romo have survived the backlash over their relationship. In fact, it's likely safe to say their bond has grown stronger because of it.

"I'm in love . . . big time," gushes Simpson. "It's only four months. I can't believe it. It feels like forever. I love this guy."

Read the full Glamour article here.

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