By SAMANTHA ETTUS
11-Aug-05

Jessica Simpson recently experienced the roller coaster of fickle fame with the production and release last week of her first feature film. Though The Dukes of Hazzard has bombed with the critics, it has created a boom at the box office, with ticket sales reflecting an unmitigated commercial success. It is hard to recall anyone whose transition from pop stardom to the big screen has made a bigger media splash, as Simpson's evolution from singing sensation to reality TV star to Daisy Duke has been marked by constant exposure. So today we will take a peak at the three stages of Jessica Simpson's first big screen experience and how she has fared the waves.

1. The Anticipation

When it was announced that Simpson would join the largely B list cast of the film version of TV's cult classic The Dukes of Hazzard, there was much media and fan anticipation. She had reportedly edged out a number of other big names for the role, and early on word came back that the dailies (daily shots from filming) were stellar. Simpson had quickly won the hearts and respect of her co-stars, who frequently sung her praises to the press, citing her excellent work ethic. Her diligent and painstaking efforts to tone an already enviable physique were a significant factor in gaining her co-stars' admiration. Simpson was forthcoming about her multi-hour daily training sessions and rigorously strict diet regimen – all in the name of doing justice to her "daisy dukes." So much media focus on a film in the nascent stages of production is a rarity, as actors rarely talk so openly with the press while in production. But the early hype was unanimously positive and worked wildly in the film's favor. It was even rumored that Simpson's acting talent would change the perception that a singer couldn't make a successful transition to an acting career.

2. The Critics

The early anticipation appeared to go up in flames in the weeks preceding The Dukes of Hazzard release, as critics panned the film almost universally. People Magazine opined that the film was a candidate for worst movie of the year and other influential reviewers were similarly harsh. There was also much made of the fact that Simpson's small amount of screen time was minor in comparison to the buzz she had generated. But while many stars opt out of doing press when their movies or performances are panned, Simpson reacted to the criticism commendably, keeping her cool in the midst of fierce criticism while smiling brightly and supporting the project. Though Simpson was a first timer, she grasped what most stars seem to forget – when moviegoers slam films, they tend to do so in blanket fashion rather than picking apart the performances of specific actors. More importantly, Simpson intuitively realized that industry insiders never forget an actor who abandon s a film at press time.

3. The Box Office

In Hollywood, having pull at the box office outweighs winning the respect of critics, and Simpson managed a coup as The Dukes of Hazzard raked in over $30 million in last week's opening weekend, nearly doubling the take of the second place Wedding Crashers, which was both a critical and popular success. As the film's biggest headliner, Simpson is receiving full credit for the strong showing. And her steely effort to stand by her movie and her costars, never yielding to the critics, was a veteran move not expected of a newcomer and one most certainly recognized by industry heavyweights. By managing her brand with grace and style, Simpson established herself as a bankable big screen contender and sent a powerful message to Hollywood that, despite her thin track record, she is clearly worth the risk.

Remember: the most dependable road to the top is to treat your brand as your greatest asset.

(Samantha Ettus is the author of "The Experts' Guide to 100 Things Everyone Should Know How to Do" (Random House). Contact her at Samantha@celebrityassets.com.)