Jessica Simpson Talks Present Flame and Past Pain

Jessica Simpson will grace the cover of the September issue of Elle, sporting a sexy cowgirl-ish ensemble. But it's what is inside the magazine that will get tongues wagging. The pop turned country star dishes on everything from her controversial career change to her sorted love life to a surprising memory of abuse.

"So many people want to bring me down, and I can't wait to prove them wrong," Simpson tells Elle. "If they believe what they read about me, they automatically persecute and torment me."

Often tormented in the press over her love life, Simpson says she is happier now than she's ever been. The 28-year-old has been dating Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo since November of last year.

"Most of the guys I dated were captivated by my heart, but they had different ways of trying to get to me," Simpson says of the single life before meeting Romo. "Tony understands me. He appreciates my talent. He's the first person I've spiritually connected with. I'm a girl that loves to be in love. I love love!"

Simpson and Romo began dating shortly after her split from rocker John Mayer, with whom she remains friendly. Simpson tells Elle that she does not regret her relationship with Mayer, as it was a time of growth.

"John believed in the Jessica Simpson that's within," she explains. "He cherished our love. He helped make me the woman I am today. John is going to be an amazing man for someone, but I know that I was supposed to be with someone else."

Simpson's first country album, 'Do You Know,' is due September 9. The songstress boats co-writes on all but three tracks on the CD, including a song about abuse that hits surprisingly close to home.

"I had to record that," Simpson answers when asked about the story behind the song, called 'Remember That.' "There's nothing on my album that you're gonna hear that I don't relate to or that I haven't experienced. Because the only way I know how to sing is from life experience. I don't want to talk about it, but I have definitely experienced abuse in away that I would tell people to take their heart and run."

A more lighthearted song from the album, 'Come On Over,' is sitting pretty in the Top 20 of the country singles charts this week. Watch its sexy video here.

Jessica Makes Our 'Gone Country' Countdown

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Filed Under: Jessica Simpson, JessicaSimpson

Categories: Country News