Jessica Simpson Braves Throat Problems to Appear on TV 8/30/06

Jessica Simpson ignored doctor's orders to rest her voice completely when she appeared on MTV show Total Request Live yesterday (29AUG06).

The ailing singer refused to sing on the show, as planned, but she croaked through an interview to promote her new album A Public Affair which was released yesterday.

Simpson apologized for her husky tones, stating, "It doesn't really sound like Jessica... I'm on some sort of shots and all kinds of stuff... I'm so sad... I sound like a donkey."

The pop star-turned-actress is now desperately trying to get well in time for Thursday night's (31AUG06) MTV Video Music Awards, where she's a presenter.

She adds, "I have to keep my mouth shut so I'm gonna be partying around like a mute."

Instead of performing on TRL, Simpson agreed to sit and sign CDs for the entire live audience.