NBC10.com
Friday, September 5, 2008, 12:32 am
Take The Chill Out Of That Bill
New Home Heating Alternatives

Search 
Search IBS  Search the Web
entertainment

Full Transcript Of Ashlee Simpson Interview

POSTED: 8:13 am EDT October 26, 2004
UPDATED: 7:39 am EDT October 28, 2004

On Tuesday morning, NBC's Katie Couric sat down live with singer Ashlee Simpson to get Simpson's side of the story on her lip-synching gaffe on "Saturday Night Live."

Slideshow: Ashlee Talks To Katie About Lip-Synch 'Incident'
Slideshow: Images From SNL Performance
Video: Simpson Caught In Lip-Synch Goof

FeedRoom
FeedRoom


Couric: "Saturday Night Live" was not so live when Ashlee Simpson went to perform her second song of the night. She was caught off guard when her own voice track came on from her first song of the night. Simpson walked off stage after doing a little hoe down and following that technical goof.

She's been catching a lot of flack and she is here to tell her side of the story in an exclusive interview.

Couric: This has been a crummy couple of days for you?

Simpson: Yeah. … It's one of those situations. All rehearsals -- we have clips from all week long -- my voice was in great shape. I was so ready to go. Saturday night came at six o'clock. I have severe acid reflux. It started acting up and I could not speak or talk. But most artists on big shows do that (sing to a backing track) and I had never done it once.

Couric: Explain what that is. Vocal guide tracks or backing tracks. Does that mean you are lip syncing?

Simpson: No, I was singing with the track. Like on the first (song). I was singing with the track but my voice was not strong enough to hold up the song alone. My dad was like, 'honey, you have to do it.' He put my vocal doctor on the phone with me. 'You have to. (Singing) will ruin your vocal chords.'

Couric: When you listen to someone performing live and they have a backing track, do you primarily hear the recording or the voice of the artist or does it depend?

Simpson: You hear both. The sound bites fade in and out depending on how your voice is. I have never done it before. The first time I do it becomes a massive deal. It was something I could not control. My drummer who I love and adore accidentally pressed the wrong button and did not set up the song.

Couric: Is he still your drummer?

Simpson: Yes. I love him. Everybody makes mistakes. I didn't know that and I did the hoe-down.

Couric: This must have been so upsetting for you because this is a big break to be on "Saturday Night Live", to be the featured artist and to have this happen. It must have been mortifying?

Simpson: It was definitely upsetting and mortifying. I get comments like now , (I'm like) Milli Vanilli. I write all of my own music and perform from my heart. I am always singing on any show I have ever done. Singing as hard as I can always. This was a situation where I was in trouble like with my voice. Each in the rehearsal I was singing and I am holding my throat.

Couric: Sounding like a munchkin?

Simpson: Yes. And it was very unfortunate. What is even more unfortunate is a am being compared to that when there are artists that even at the awards show last night had backing tracks. People, listen to this! Your favorite artist.

Couric: But it's a dirty little secret?

Simpson: It's horrible. I think for me it was something.

Couric: This was at the Radio Music Awards where you made a joke about it.

Simpson: I figured why not make a joke about. I am not worried about it. I know that things happen and not everybody is perfect. You can't help it if you lose your voice. It doesn't mean you can't sing or don't write your own music.

Couric: You have been very open about how much work it took you to get where you are today. You did an MTV reality show about it?

Simpson: Yeah. And the acid reflux was on the reality show, too.

Couric: Do you feel like fans will be forgiving. Your Web site has been inundated with comments some positive and some negative. What are people saying?

Simpson: I have tried not to look at them because this has been -- it's hard. There are comments that are good and bad. I hope my fans know, especially the ones that come out to my shows, they know it's live. I never had to do that. The one time, you get sick and then -- it's a humbling experience. You could say.

Couric: Were you surprised that people were making such a big deal of it?

Simpson: Yeah, because I am not anorexic. My boob didn't pop out. I am not on drugs. I had a bad performance and I got sick.

Couric: What did your dad say? He's your manager. When you walked off stage, he said you were upset?

Simpson: When I walked off, I don't know what to do. Oh my god! He was like it's okay. You are okay. Breathe, breathe, breathe. I went back out there. Look, things happen.

Couric: Have you talked to Jessica, your sister?

Simpson: Yeah, she was like, 'stay in there and stay strong.' She knows what it's like if you are sick or whatever.

Couric: Before we go, where did you get the little hoe-down moves?

Simpson: I don't know. From Texas. I freaked out. I freaked out and didn't know what to do. … I just kind of froze. My band they started playing 'Autobiography' and switched. I love my band to death. We are all good.

Couric: They are not mad. You blamed them at the end of the show?

Simpson: It was the wrong button he pushed. I was sick and things happen. It wasn't one person that messed up.

Couric: Hopefully in the papers they will be tomorrow's fish wrapping.

Simpson: I love my drummer to death.

Couric: Well, we love him too. Thanks for coming in.

Links We Like

Sponsored Content
If you’re worried about STD’s it’s important that you know the telltale signs. Check out the 8 signs that you may have an STD. More

Moving can be a huge undertaking if you don’t know how to do it right. Relieve the stress of relocating and save money too. More

Vacation can be a vital part of being a more productive member of the workforce. Find out why more Americans haven’t figured this out. More

Are you or a loved one recovering from a heart attack? Our Heart Attack Recovery Guide will nurse you back to good health. More

Like online video? Then you'll love Now See This.

Links We Like includes a selection of information, tools and resources from our partners and sponsors.

Sponsored Links

Consumer Info


Sponsored Content Provided by ARA

Portions 2008 Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Advertising Information | Contact Us