The Ashlee Simpson Show › Ep. 203

Big changes are beginning to happen for Ashlee Simpson. It's her 20th birthday and her closest friends come over to surprise her with a cake. And that's not the only surprise in store for her today--her friends are taking her out, but they won't tell her where they're going. They all dress up in long pink, old fashioned dresses and get into a huge black limo. Their surprise destination turns out to be Medieval Times, where they will celebrate and watch knights in shining armor joust.

Ashlee opens her presents and is surprised to find that her band has given her "adult themed" gifts--leopard skinned outfits and blow-up dolls. Ashlee's dad jokes that he's going to fire the band for exposing his daughter to such things, but Ashlee is happy that she is finally being treated like an adult.

The following day, Ashlee takes the next big step into adulthood and gets a short, stylish new haircut. Chopping off so much hair is a little nerve-wracking, but Ashlee is mostly worried about what her parents are going to have to say about her new look. As it turns out, Ashlee was right to worry: her mother doesn't approve at all. She thinks it's just too short. Ashlee is disappointed at her mom's reaction but knows that cutting her hair is all a part of finding herself.

Later, Ashlee and the gang head over to a Pilates studio to get in shape for her upcoming video shoot for "La La." Halfway through the workout, the girls really begin to feel the effects of the techniques. Later that night, Ashlee and her gang sit down to preview the work of Joseph Khan, the video director for "La La." Ashlee says she doesn't want to look like a high school-er in the video, and she wants to make sure her opinion is heard on the shoot.

Ashlee is thrilled that her two best friends, Lauren and Stephanie, are going to be in the video with her. Getting ready for the first day of shooting, Ashlee's mom says she thinks that Ashlee should wear hair extensions, but Ashlee loves her new, short hair. It's an expression of her adult self.

The concept of "La La" is Ashlee and her friends letting loose and getting into trouble: walking down the street, dancing on top of tables and throwing a pool party in the backyard. In one scene, Ashlee decides to experiment a little by acting sexy and rolling around on the coach. Ashlee loves the way the couch scene looks, but in the end it is cut from the video because it was "a little much."

A few days later, Ashlee finds out that she has been chosen as one of Entertainment Weekly's breakout stars of 2004, and attends a photo shoot for the spread. This is a great honor for Ashlee, especially after the Saturday Night Live debacle. She knows that she is definitely moving forward and putting the past behind her. Wanting a specific look on the shoot, she again makes sure her opinion is heard, and in the end the pictures come out great. Ashlee says she believes this is a sign of great things to come.