Ashlee Simpson out of sister Jessica's shadow on first try

NEW YORK -- Ashlee Simpson doesn't have to worry about being in the shadow of her older sister Jessica anymore.

The 19-year-old's debut album "Autobiography" is No. 1 and probably will hit platinum this week. Jessica, 23, has never had an album reach No. 1, though her latest, "In This Skin," has sold more than 2 million copies.

Both sisters have popular reality shows on MTV, and they air back to back.

But both insist they aren't competitive.

"We're sisters," Ashlee Simpson said. "For us it's not about competition. If she succeeds, then I'm happy, and if I succeed, then our family wins no matter what."

Dad Joe Simpson manages both daughter's careers, and suggested the reality show for Ashlee, who spent two years as a supporting character on the WB's TV series "Seventh Heaven" and recorded a song for the film "Freaky Friday."

"I wasn't that wild about having the cameras in my face, but my dad thought it would be a good way for everyone to get to know me as me, and not as Jessica's little sister," Ashlee said.

The reality show deals mostly with making the album, her struggles writing songs and working with different producers, as well as the everyday teenage drama of boyfriends and breakups.

Critics say "Autobiography" still ends up sounding more like pop than rock, and has gotten mixed reviews. Still, they say, it's catchy and Ashlee Simpson does achieve a sound different from her sister's.

"Teenagers who know less about rock 'n' roll than Ashlee Simpson are the ones buying her album," said Jenny Elsicu, an associate editor at Rolling Stone magazine. "If they are told 'Here, she's rock,' then they'll believe it.

"There's an immediate marketing angle for Ashlee that didn't exist for Jessica, which is that she's the punkier sister, the hip sister. It's a clever position her dad put her in."

Ashlee Simpson said her dyed brown hair and punkier ways are not a marketing ploy.

The sisters aren't planning to perform together any time soon. For now Ashlee is planning to tour with her band and enjoy the success of her new album first.