It can’t be easy being the younger sister of a global pop star, but singer/songwriter Ashlee Simpson blazed her own rock-fuelled musical path with a fresh spin on life and love in the spotlight. Born in 1984 in Waco, Texas, Simpson moved to L.A. with her family in 1999 to focus on big sister Jessica’s music career—but Ashlee was just as ambitious. She built up her confidence as a TV actress, but grew a bigger fan base simply by being herself. Craving an outlet to carve out her own identity, she took to songwriting, a process that was documented on MTV’s The Ashlee Simpson Show, which coincided with the release of her 2004 debut album, Autobiography. Featuring the sizzling pop-rock hit “Pieces of Me”, the confessional collection shows off Simpson’s robust voice and punk-inspired spirit. This attitude would serve her well through her next two albums, even as she shifted her gaze to the dance floor for 2008’s punchy Bittersweet World. While Ashlee has since put her solo career aside, she has continued making some sweet music with husband Evan Ross (son of the legendary Diana Ross) as soul-pop duo ASHLEE + EVAN.