Jessica Simpson Silenced

Singer Jessica Simpson was just about to begin her promotional tour for her new album, A Public Affair, when career disaster struck. Instead of performing in New York City's Rockefeller Plaza, Jessica is canceling her promotional concert dates after being diagnosed with a bruised vocal cord.

Jessica Simpson was supposed to appear on NBC's Today show Wednesday morning, but it wasn't meant to be. That forced Today host Matt Lauer to go on the air and tell fans Simpson wouldn't be performing, though she would be back on Friday to offer fans a sampling from her upcoming album. While Simpson did still stop by the NBC Studio to briefly appear on the Today show, she had to postpone her Late Show with David Letterman appearance, which was scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.

As well as the NBC appearances on Wednesday, Simpson has been forced to miss other obligations earlier in the week. On Tuesday, Jessica Simpson was promoting A Public Affair at Roxy, a top New York nightclub. The Roxy played host to a roller skating party, which featured Jessica in a superb black mini-dress, and almost featured Simpson taking a tumble.

ABC News quoted Jessica Simpson's publicist, Rob Shuter, who told The Associated Press, "It is true that she has indeed lost her voice. She's been ordered to rest. … She can talk, she can croak out a few sentences. She sounds a little off, but, you know, she can't sing."

ITV quoted Jessica Simpson herself as croaking "It's a fun album and my fans will love it. I wish I could sing it for them right now, but there's no way."

As well, ITV quoted Jessica Simpson's father and manager, Joe Simpson, as revealing "This is her moment. This record is from her heart it's something she wants to share with her fans. She did it, she executive produced it, she chose the songs, she has some things she wants to say."

Jessica Simpson is on the road promoting A Public Affair, her first album since her very public divorce from ex-husband Nick Lachey. A Public Affair is also Simpson's first album on Epic Records since switching from Columbia Records. A Public Affair was released in stores on Tuesday (August 29). The first single, also titled "A Public Affair", hit the radio on June 23, with the music video debuting on TRL on July 19, featuring celebrities like Eva Longoria, Christina Applegate, Christina Milian, Maria Menounos, Andy Dick and Ryan Seacrest.

Simpson also finished filming her new movie, Employee of the Month, which is her second foray into the film world after The Dukes of Hazzard. As well, Simpson is rumored to be dating singer/songwriter John Mayer. The Simpson-Mayer relationship is said to be moving slow, but the two are confirmed to be an item.

[Additional Sources: ITV, ABC News]