Jessica Simpson was born in Abilene, Texas, the daughter of Tina and Joe Truett Simpson, who was a minister and psychologist. As a child, Jessica Simpson began singing at her local Baptist church. At age twelve, Jessica Simpson unsuccessfully auditioned for The Mickey Mouse Club. While attending J.J. Pearce High School, Jessica Simpson signed to Proclaim Records, a minor Gospel music record label. Jessica Simpson recorded an album, self-titled, "Jessica", but Proclaim went bankrupt and the album was never officially released except for a small pressing funded by her grandmother. This small funding however gained her minor attention and Jessica Simpson gave concerts with other acts such as Kirk Franklin, God's Property, and CeCe Winans. Jessica Simpson left high school at age sixteen (she later earned her GED), and after Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola heard "Jessica", Jessica Simpson was signed to the label.
