Jessica Simpson can't get a break. Indeed, with a high-profile romance (Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo) and a new country record on the way, the 28-year-old singer is a bigger tabloid target than ever.

But the blonde, who rocketed to superstar fame by chronicling her marriage to Nick Lachey on MTV's "Newlyweds" reality show, is OK with that.

In fact, says Simpson, who performs tonight at the California State Fair, she's in a pretty good place right now.

On the phone from Los Angeles, where she planned to hang out with friends, Simpson called to dish on everything from her new album, "Do You Know," and working with Dolly Parton to the paparazzi, divorce and living a life in the very public eye.

Q: What's the story behind your new record?

A: I hadn't been singing for a long time, and I finally got to that place where I was comfortable opening up again. I'd been going through a divorce, and I wasn't really strong enough to (sing); I had to go through the hurt and healing. I had to sit back and relax and go through everything like a normal person would.

Out of that came the music, and out of that came the record.

Q: Was there an "aha" moment when you realized you were ready?

A: It was more of a gradual thing getting to the point where I could write in my journal again. At first, I really had to allow myself to trust again and not worry that a songwriter was going to pick up the phone and call Us Weekly ... (but) in the end, I made some lifelong friends so I was comfortable by the time I got behind the mike to sing.