Jessica Simpson, freshly dumped newly single, packed up her bags, her BFFs and her kimono (apparently) and made her way to Tokyo, Japan recently to begin filming her new VH1 reality TV series The Price of Beauty. Here are a few photos of Jessica and her always loyal gay boyfriend and hair stylist Ken Paves dressed as geishas (well, in Ken’s case gay-shas) on the street set of The Price of Beauty in Japan last week:

When relationships end, it’s not uncommon for heartbroken lovers to decide they need a makeover. But Jessica Simpson has really pushed the boundaries with her new look. The blonde-haired singer spent four hours being transformed into a Japanese geisha with a mask of white make-up, elaborate pinned hair and authentic kimono. Jessica is newly single after being dumped by her American Football player boyfriend Tony Romo. After the unexpected end to her relationship, on the eve of her birthday, the 29-year-old got away from it all with a trip to Japan. And a change of scene certainly seems to be helping the beauty move on. She couldn’t stop giggling as she and best friend Cacee Cobb and hairdresser Ken Paves explored the cobbled streets of the Asakusa district of Tokyo, in the shadow of Tokyo’s ancient Senso-ji Buddhist temple, founded in 628. Jessica slowly navigated her way along in four-inch wooden sandals and a floor-length silk kimono with an intricate purple and gold design. Kimonos like the one worn by Jessica can cost upwards of $10,000 and with accessories such as the decorative Obi belt the price can reach more than $20,000. During her trip to Japan, to film her new VH1 series The Price Of Beauty, Jessica was shaken by the impact of a magnitude 6.6 earthquake. ‘Thought I was hallucinating,’ she posted on Twitter on Monday. ‘I have never felt anything like this in my life. Laying in bed watching CNN.’

Oh Jess … the poor dear. Why is it that everything she does seem so sadly tragic? Even when she tries her hardest to succeed it only falls flat on its face. I have a gut feeling that this Price of Beauty show she’s working up for VH1 is going to be another one of her bombs, I can just tell.

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The newly single Jessica Simpson decided she didn’t need no stinkin’ man for her to have a fun night on the town … so last night, in celebration of her BFF Ken Paves’s birthday, she tied one on and drank her blues away. Here are pics of the very boozy Jessica partying at Beso last night with the only man in her life right now, her gay boyfriend Ken:

If there’s anyone a celebrity can rely on in her time of need – it’s her hairdresser. And who better for newly single Jessica Simpson to step out with than close friend Ken Paves, as she glammed up to celebrate the celebrity hairdresser’s birthday at restaurant Beso. Blonde Jessica wore a tight black dress which showed off her hourglass figure. But although she was out for a big night, she didn’t appear to be in much of a party mood as she left the restaurant owned by Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria. Looking downcast, and fed up Jessica was mobbed by photographers and fans and appeared to be keen to exit the fuss as quickly as possible.

As you may recall, it was reported that Tony Romo broke up with Jessica on the eve of her birthday last month because he didn’t want to play Ken in her plans for a Barbie & Ken-themed birthday party. If Jess had just enlisted her real-life Ken to play with her, she might still be with her real boyfriend. Ah well … that ship has sailed. Now Jess is back on the market … but while she waits for her next Mr. Right, it’s nice that she’s got good ol’ reliable Ken Paves to lean on.

[Photo credit: X17; Source]

New dad and Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz and Gym Class Heroes frontman Travis McCoy debuted a new art show at Gallery 1988 here in LA last night and managed to lure a few family and friends out for the event. Titled Without You I’m Just Me, the exhibit is a collaboration of works between Pete Wentz, Travis McCoy of Gym Class Heroes and several other LA based artists such as Greg Simkins and Jeff McMillan. Here are a couple pics of Pete making his entrance last night with wife and new mom Ashlee Simpson (her second public appearance in two days) and Jessica Simpson with her BFF and hairstylist Ken Paves:

I’m told that a portion of the proceeds from the art show’s painting, print and catalogue sales will benefit Invisible Children, an incredible charity working closely with Pete to better the living conditions in northern Uganda. Gallery 1998 is at 7020 Melrose Ave. (on the corner of Melrose and La Brea) and the exhibit will run until December 24.

Click HERE to check out some of the artwork that will be on display and is for sale. Some of the pieces are very cool … I think the mixed media 3D paintings are my faves.

[Photo credit: X17; Source]

Ashlee Simpson, who has yet to give birth to the spawn of Pete Wentz, hosted a baby shower for her unborn child at the Bel Air Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA yesterday afternoon. Big sis Jessica Simpson and her BFF/hair stylist Ken Paves (who was bleeding from his face the night before after getting bashed with a paparazzo’s camera) were among the guests who attended yesterday’s shower. Here are a couple pics of Jess and Ken’s arrival and of centerpieces and gifts being delivered to the hotel:

Here is a report from Life & Style magazine that was published before yesterday’s shower: The race is on to get Ashlee Simpson set up with all the things the mom-to-be will need for the imminent arrival of her baby. In fact, “she’s having a last-minute baby shower tomorrow,” an insider tells Life & Style. “The location is top secret. They’ll send out an e-mail to all invited guests early Saturday morning. Ashlee was eyeing the Bel-Air hotel in LA — but no one will know exactly until tomorrow morning. “This could be the last chance for everyone to see Ashlee before she becomes a mom,” the insider says. As husband Pete Wentz told Ryan Seacrest recently: “I am on call permanently right now. She’s at the very end, and it could happen at any point.”

Indeed, it seems as if Ashlee has been pregs for ages now … but I guess it always seems that way at the end of a celebrity pregnancy. Gwen Stefani seemed to carry little Zuma Nesta Rock for a few years before she finally unloaded him in August. I was pretty confident that Ashlee and Pete would be welcoming their baby on All Hallow’s Eve as would be befitting such a child born of indie/goth/emo genes. I guess at this point we’ll have to hope for the child’s coming to occur by turkey day.

[Photo credit: X17; Source]

Celebrity hairstylist to the stars and all-around BFF to Jessica Simpson accidentally got his face bashed by an over-eager paparazzo as he tried to lead his BFF Jess thru a scrum of paps as the pair tried to make an exit from Madeo restaurant last night. Leading the way for Jess to get to her waiting car, Ken’s face made unfortunate contact with a pap’s camera, causing his face to split open and start gushing blood … EEK!

Jessica Simpson watched in shock as her BFF/hair stylist Ken Paves had his face busted open during a crazy paparazzi crush on their way out of Madeo late Saturday night. Ken was escorting Jess out of the restaurant, when the sea of snappers swarmed — and in the madness, one guy hit Ken near his eye with a part of a camera. With blood trickling down his face, Ken still managed to get Jess inside their waiting ride. Their driver then whisked the group to a nearby hospital, where Jess accompanied her friend inside the building.

Aww … poor Ken :( On the one hand, it’s pretty crappy that celebs and their friends can’t make the simple walk from a restaurant to their car without getting injured but, in actuality (and thankfully), this sort of thing doesn’t happen too often. It really looks like it was an accident but cameras should not be that close to people’s faces. I am deffo of the mind that people who seek fame have to take some ownership of the attention they receive but no one should be physically injured in this way under any circumstances.

[Photo credit: X17, Splash News; Source]