Simpson loses voice amidst album media blitz

Jessica Simpson's voice picked a fine to leave her. The pop singer's voice problems have forced her to cancel several promotional appearances today, the day her new album, A Public Affair, hits stores. The Dukes of Hazzard star canceled appearances on NBC's Today and CBS' The Late Show with David Letterman. Simpson, 26, will still appear on MTV's TRL, although she's scrapped plans to perform on the show. "Her voice capabilities are at a minimum," her label rep told MTV News. Simpson, who hosted this year's Teen Choice Awards with comedian Dane Cook, has been communicating with people via pad and pen, according to In Touch magazine.

Springsteen takes to Web site to deny separation

The normally private Bruce Springsteen addressed his personal life yesterday on his official Web site, lashing out at reports that he and Patti Scialfa, his wife of 18 years, have separated. "Due to the unfounded and ugly rumors that have appeared in the papers over the last few days, I felt they shouldn't pass without comment," Springsteen wrote. "Patti and I have been together for 18 years--the best 18 years of my life. We have built a beautiful family we love and want to protect and our commitment to one another remains as strong as the day we were married." The denial comes in response to a New York Post report last week that cited anonymous sources as saying that Springsteen was dating a September 11 widow that he'd met while playing a 9/11 benefit concert a few years ago. Springsteen, 56, and Scialfa, a backup singer in his band, married in 1991 and have three children. Scialfa has been touring with Springsteen in support of his latest album, We Shall Overcome: The Complete Seeger Sessions.

Doherty reportedly lands huge record deal

It's not all drug busts, rehab stints, and arrests for Babyshambles frontman Pete Doherty. The embattled singer has landed a £1 million record deal with Parlophone, according to the Daily Mirror. News of the deal comes amidst reports of Doherty's latest turbulent stint in rehab and just a few months after Babyshambles' record deal with Rough Trade records expired.

The new contract calls for the band to release an EP in the next few months with several full-length albums to follow next year. "He's over the moon because The Beatles were with Parlophone," a source told the Mirror. "That means a lot to him. The band can't wait to get their new music on the shelves. It's a very exciting time because a lot of record labels were after them, but in the end they got the best deal, money-wise and album-wise, with Parlophone."

Lil' Kim says plagiarism suit is unfounded

Lil' Kim's "Durty," in which the pint-sized rapper adopted a West Indian accent, is the subject of a new lawsuit filed by Jamaican reggae singer Tanya Stephens. Stephens claims that Kim plagiarized her 1997 song, "Mi And Mi God," and hasn't given her proper credit or royalties. "If she had bothered to give props where due even once, I would have said, 'Let it go,' " Stephens told MTV News. "That isn't even one of my better works. Really, if she had linked me, I would've written her a much better song for free."

But Kim's attorney L. Londell McMillan tells AllHipHop.com, "The lawsuit against Atlantic Records and Lil' Kim is the result of Royalty Networks Inc's failed attempts to extract unreasonable sums and percentages of Lil' Kim's new song for an interpolated use of a song which happens all the time in hip-hop. There are no damages to Tanya Stephens, they never objected until after their efforts failed, and Kim was and remains willing to be fair. This matter should have been resolved but it appears to be another money and media play at Lil' Kim's expense. This issue was no secret. Kim was advised licenses were obtained by those who handle clearances at the time. We shall defend this action."

Manilow's Emmy good luck charm works

Fresh off his Emmy Awards tribute to Dick Clark and an Emmy win of his own, singer Barry Manilow emerged from successful hip surgery late Monday. Manilow said during the Emmy telecast that he planned to take his Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program category for his PBS special, Barry Manilow: Music and Passion, into the operating room with him. He came through the surgery "swimmingly" and then headed back to his Palm Springs home, his publicist, Carol Marshall, said late Monday. Manilow will rehab for six to eight weeks, with a scheduled performance in Atlantic City October 14.