Jessica a hoarse whisperer: Doc-ordered vocal rest makes plugging new disc tougher

NEW YORK -- Talk about bad timing. At the start of a media blitzto support her new album, "A Public Affair," Jessica Simpson is onvocal rest.

"It is true that she has indeed lost her voice," Simpson'spublicist, Rob Shuter, said Tuesday. "She's been ordered to rest. ...She can talk, she can croak out a few sentences. She sounds a littleoff, but, you know, she can't sing."

Simpson, 26, fell ill Friday and has "a strain, a bruise on hervocal cord," Shuter said.

The singer canceled an appearance on CBS' "Late Show With DavidLetterman" this week but dropped by MTV's "Total Request Live" onTuesday to promote the album. Simpson, speaking in a hoarse voice,introduced music videos. She also signed CDs for fans.

Simpson hopes her condition improves by Friday, when she isscheduled to perform on NBC's "Today" show, Shuter said.

"She's trying," he said. "Everybody is hoping and keeping theirfingers crossed."