Jessica Simpson was born in Dallas, Texas and discovered her musical talents while singing at the community Baptist church where her father served as a youth minister. She enrolled in try-outs for the Mickey Mouse Club at age 12, and although her musical gifts and ability were strong enough to take her to the finals round, Jessica did confess that she broke down during her last audition.

At age 13, Jessica sang an a cappella version of “Amazing Grace” for one of her church camp’s guest speakers, who was developing plans to launch a gospel music label. After hearing her voice, Jessica was signed on to the label, and for three years put her efforts toward creating an album. Eventually, the small label folded, but Jessica did not lose her confidence. She jumped right on the Christian Youth Conference circuit and with the projects she had been working on previously—Jessica was able to sing her inspirational ballads for audiences of over 20,000 people! Jessica and her dad became a two-man team and they began to tour together, her dad speaking and Jessica singing, to audiences all over the country. When the show finished, Jessica would sell her “amateur” album and not long after—news of the tiny Texan with a huge voice spread out from the religious world and began to permeate the pop music world as well. Obviously, it did not take long for the big-time labels to come chasing after her! At age 13, Jessica sang an a cappella version of “Amazing Grace” for one of her church camp’s guest speakers, who was developing plans to launch a gospel music label. After hearing her voice, Jessica was signed on to the label, and for three years put her efforts toward creating an album. Eventually, the small label folded, but Jessica did not lose her confidence. She jumped right on the Christian Youth Conference circuit and with the projects she had been working on previously—Jessica was able to sing her inspirational ballads for audiences of over 20,000 people! Jessica and her dad became a two-man team and they began to tour together, her dad speaking and Jessica singing, to audiences all over the country. When the show finished, Jessica would sell her “amateur” album and not long after—news of the tiny Texan with a huge voice spread out from the religious world and began to permeate the pop music world as well. Obviously, it did not take long for the big-time labels to come chasing after her!