Ashlee Simpson-Wentz moves into 'Merose Place'

Pop singer's first regular TV gig since '7th Heaven'

By HitFix Staff Monday, Mar 9, 2009 12:11 AM

Ashlee Simpson-Wentz is getting a new street address "Melrose Place."

Credit: AP Photo/Evan Agostini

Fresh off her upcoming guest appearance on Wednesday's "CSI: NY," Ashlee Simpson-Wentz (as she'd now like to be known) is heading back to a full time television gig. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Simpson-Wentz will be one of the lead characters on the updated "Melrose Place" expected to debut this fall.

The former chart-topping and lip syncing pop star will play Melrose Place's newest resident, Violet. This small town girl might seem bright eyed at moving to the big city, but behind the facade is a shrewd young woman with a secret. With a wink to the original series, her character was inspired by the original series' blond, Souther-belle starlet Sandy Harling (played by Amy Locane).

Simpson-Wentz joins the previously announced cast members Michael Rady ("Greek," "Swingtown") and Katie Cassidy ("Black Christmas").

When Simpson was making a name for herself in the music world with top ten hits like "Pieces of Me," she was also finishing up two years as a regular on "7th Heaven." She tried to segue into movies with a role in the unwatchable "Undiscovered," but like her sister, Jessica Simpson, a big screen career has proved to be a futile effort. This week's stunt casting on "CSI: NY" marks her first acting gig in almost four years and finds her co-starring with her husband Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz. Watch a clip of Simpson-Wentz's acting prowess below.