Just when you thought Joe Simpson could not get any creepier, Radaronline is reporting that the hustler father of Jessica Simpson and Ashlee Simpson has become a paparazzi and takes photos of his daughters at events and premieres, then sells them to WireImage. As if being their manager wasn't profitable enough, the former preacher has found a new way to cash in on his daughters' success.
Radaronline is reporting: "On several occasions, a camera-wielding Simpson has gone toe-to-toe with other snappers for shots of his own daughters, then approved only his own images for distribution through WireImage. At other times, he has provided the agency with exclusive (and even racy) shots of his daughters on family getaways or in other putatively private moments."
"How lucrative is Simpson's sideline? Hard to say; he didn't return Radar's calls, and neither did WireImage co-founder Kevin Mazur. It's thus unclear, for instance, whether WireImage pays Simpson only for the photos he takes—which are credited to Simpson on the WireImage site—or whether he receives a cut of all images of Jessica or Ashlee the agency sells. The latter arrangement would explain why, according to sources, Simpson has tried to bar other agencies from press events."
The news/gossip website cites other pacts between stars and photographers, noting that Carmen Electra is said to grant exclusives to Michael Simon of StarTraks, and Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have a close relationship with Getty Images.
