Xpress: Romantic role models

Romantic role models

The proposal? Aboard a boat in Hawaii. The wedding? A huge bash. The audience? You!

By CATHERINE McCARTHY

When pop sensations Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey of 98 Degrees were wed recently, it devastated countless fans who were holding out for their dream guy/girl.

But the union is a publicist's dream, the stuff Entertainment Tonight is made of.

Simpson, 22, and Lachey, 29, who had the same manager, met a few years ago at a holiday parade in which Lachey was performing. In a recent interview to promote the television special In Style Celebrity Weddings, the newlyweds chatted about their marriage, careers and favorite movies.

After three years together, including a four-month breakup, Simpson and Lachey were engaged around Valentine's Day last year.

"Being in Hawaii, and having Nick charter a catamaran and popping the question -- I don't really think you can really beat that," Simpson said.

When asked if he was nervous about asking Simpson to marry him, Lachey revealed other fears.

"I wasn't nervous in the respect that I was scared she was going to say no. We were on a boat in the middle of the ocean, and I had this ring in my pocket. And I was nervous that it was going to come flying out of my hand and go 300 feet to the bottom of the ocean and I'd be out a big chunk of change," Lachey said. "I was more nervous about not dropping the ring in the Pacific Ocean than I was about actually proposing."

And then Simpson began to cry.

"The skipper came up and told us, 'This is where Pearl Harbor happened,' and going on and on, and Nick and I were crying and he looks over at us and was like, 'Are you okay?' "

Their October wedding in Texas was a glamorous bash with about 300 in attendance. The obligatory sleek Vera Wang gown and bridesmaids dresses also made an appearance. Originally, Lachey wanted a small affair with just family and a few close friends, but Simpson wanted a big wedding.

"She wins 90 percent of the time," Lachey said. "I've learned that that's marriage."

Were the couple concerned that their decision to get married at a young age might affect the way younger fans approach their relationships?

"If anything, I hope our relationship offers a good example of what a good relationship can be like and what real love can be like," Lachey said. "I certainly wouldn't want anyone to do what we do just because we did it."

"I think if it feels right to be married at whatever age, then that's a good step to take. You just have to make sure it's the right thing to do. I don't think all our fans are going to run out and get married at 18."

"I love being a role model," Simpson added. "I know that Nick has a great heart, and I know that people look up to him too, and we can only hope that as a couple we're a role model." "We hope that our fans see the true love that is there and hopefully they'll wait for that before they run out and get married."

As for their careers, both successful singers are working on solo records.

"My first single comes out April 1, with the album coming out in late May," Lachey said. "Jessica's just finishing up recording hers as well."

After Simpson's guest appearance on Fox's popular That '70s Show, rumors abounded that she had a movie deal in the works.

"I've always wanted to get into acting, so you'll definitely see me doing that in 2003," she said.

When pressed for further information, she responded, "A romantic comedy -- I can't release much more information than that. I will be doing a romantic comedy very soon."

A self-professed "movie junkie," she said she sees "everything that comes out" and cites her reason for crossing over into acting as her "respect (for) actors and actresses."

"It looks fun to me, to take on a different character and be somebody else. I just love the whole idea and thought of it."

Her favorite romantic comedy? "Pretty Woman. I don't think any girl cannot watch that five times."

Lachey's favorite?

"I'm not big on romantic movies."

"You liked Maid in Manhattan," Simpson said.

"Sure, I like Maid in Manhattan," he said.

With the wisdom she has gained as a seasoned performer, Simpson offers this advice for teens hoping to break into the music business:

"You have to love it, because it's a hard, hard business. You have to be ready for criticism. You have to be really passionate about it, because you don't just get onstage and then drive a Ferrari home. It's not that easy. There's a lot of pressure and a lot of expectations. You have to be very passionate about it."

So what do pop stars listen to in their free time?

Lachey is into opera star Andrea Bocelli.

"(Nick) sings opera around the house, trying to hit every note," Simpson said.

"I get 90 percent of the notes," he boasted.

"Maybe 80," she said.

Now if only Britney and Justin could come to their senses.

-- Catherine McCarthy, 17, is in 12th grade at Seminole High School.