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.

What's the story behind your new record?

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.

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

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.

Dolly Parton wrote some songs for you – how did that come about?

Gosh, she was like an answer to a prayer. It was at a point where I really wanted to give up music. I'm sure you've heard about how I messed up the lyrics to "9-to-5" during the Kennedy Center Honors. I wasn't in a place to be singing, I shouldn't have been on that stage, and then I get up there and fumble the lyrics in front of her and the president and everybody – oh Lord, leave it to me. After that, Dolly got so frustrated with how people were talking about me, and she wrote me a letter and told me it would be a shame if I gave up on myself.

Then I met with her about four months ago and played her part of my record – she flipped out and ended up writing "Do You Know," and we got up there and sang it together, we sang our butts off.

The record's not even out, but you're already getting criticism for crossing over from pop to country.

They're already judging me – how can they judge someone who's just being honest? I don't do music for money, I do it because I have to.

Everyone seems to have a pretty strong opinion about you – what would you say is the biggest misconception?

(Laughs) I don't know if I could pick just one. Ummm, that I'm just in it for the money and the paparazzi – they really think that what they see in the tabloids is how I live my life. When we did "Newlyweds," I felt that people really got to see me for who I am – the fun side of me, the hardworking, normal girl who burps and falls flat on her face.

Would you do another show like that?

No! Oh no! At this point, I'd much rather just share myself on stage, through my music.

Call The Bee's Rachel Leibrock, (916) 321-1176. JESSICA SIMPSON When: 7:30 tonight Where: California State Fair, Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento Tickets: The concert is free with fair admission ($10 general, $8 seniors, $6 kids ages 5-11, free for ages 4 and under). Reserved Golden Circle tickets are $40. Information: (916) 233-3000, www.bigfun.org or www.tickets.com