Ashlee Simpson News

The transposition of the Simpson sisters has taken another turn: as Jessica loses her voice, Ashlee's found a new one.

The "L.O.V.E." singer has confirmed reports she has signed on to star as Roxie Hart in the London production of Chicago this fall.

Her publicist, Rob Shuter, says the pop star began rehearsals this week for her role as the murder-minded aspiring singer, brought to Oscar-nominated life by Renee Zellweger in the 2002 big-screen adaptation.

The role marks something of a homecoming for the 21-year-old, who, as a trained hoofer, began her career as a back-up dancer on her sister's first concert tour, several years and (alleged) facial incarnations ago.

The Autobiography songbird has also built up a strong acting resume over the years, having starred in 7th Heaven and last year's indie flop Undiscovered. Heck, she even acted as a singer, if you count her Milli Vanilli-channeling "performance" on Saturday Night Live in 2004.

Simpson is currently rehearsing in a New York studio but will relocate to London as her debut date, slated for sometime in October, draws nearer.

And that means Simpson will, on a daily basis, belt out the song "Roxie," no doubt amusing patrons of the Cambridge Theatre with lines like:

"I'm gonna be a celebrity/That means/Somebody everyone knows/They're gonna recognize my eyes/My hair my teeth my boobs my nose."

Well, four out of five's not bad.

Simpson's just the latest Hollywood-brand star to make a foray into Chicago.

Fellow chart-topper Usher is currently starring in the Broadway production as slick lawyer Billy Flynn, with his run extended through Oct. 1.

The productions in New York and London have attracted the likes of Melanie Griffith, Brooke Shields, Teri Hatcher, Deborah (nee Debbie) Gibson, Bebe Neuwirth, Patrick Swayze, former Backstreet Boy Kevin Richardson, Wayne Brady, Huey Lewis, former Trading Spaces host Paige Davis and, up until earlier this month, Rita Wilson.