Bittersweet World - Release and Promotion

Release and Promotion

MTV reported in March 2007 that the album was planned for release in October 2007. MTV subsequently reported on October 15 that the album's release had been delayed to the first quarter of 2008. On November 13, 2007, Simpson told MTV News at CosmoGIRL!'s Born to Lead Awards that the album was completed (although she was continuing to write) and that it would be released in March 2008, with its first single, the Timbaland-produced "Outta My Head (Ay Ya Ya)", preceding it in January. She said that the video for the song would be filmed in December. Simpson's official website stated on November 21, 2007 that "Outta My Head" would be digitally released on December 11. The song was made available for listening on AOL Music beginning on November 30. In an interview on the Johnjay and Rich radio show in Arizona on January 30, 2008, Simpson said that the album would be released on April 15. The song "Boys" from the album was also played for the first time. On the KISS FM DreX Morning Show in Chicago on February 21, Simpson premiered another new song, "Little Miss Obsessive", on which she sings with Tom Higgenson of Plain White T's. The song is said to be more rock-oriented than "Outta My Head". On February 25, Simpson's website announced that "Little Miss Obsessive" would be the next single. Speaking on the radio station Q102 on March 3, Simpson said that the release date would be April 22. Simpson began promoting the album with performances at clubs, accompanied by a DJ and her guitar player, in late January. The first of these club performances was at the Myst nightclub in Scottsdale, Arizona on the night of January 30–31, where she performed three songs from Bittersweet World in addition to "L.O.V.E.". She performed the last of these four-song club shows in Miami, Florida on the night of March 8–9. Following the club tour, she said that she planned to go on a House of Blues tour with her band beginning in late April 2008.

In addition to her club tour and many radio interviews, Simpson has made in-store appearances at Wal-Mart to meet with fans, and she has a number of television appearances planned for the weeks prior to and surrounding the album's release on April 22: on Nickelodeon's Kids Choice Awards on March 29, Total Request Live on April 17 (where she gave an interview and performed "Little Miss Obsessive"), the Today show on April 18 (where she gave an interview and performed "Little Miss Obsessive", along with her older song "Pieces of Me"), Dance on Sunset on April 20 (performing "Little Miss Obsessive"), The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on April 21 (where she performed "Little Miss Obsessive"), Dancing with the Stars on April 22 (where she performed "Boys"), The Ellen DeGeneres Show on April 24 (where she gave an interview and performed "Little Miss Obsessive"), and Jimmy Kimmel Live! on April 24 (where she performed "Little Miss Obsessive"). She subsequently went to Europe for more promotion, performing "Outta My Head" on television shows in the United Kingdom and Germany. In connection with the album release, the clothing retailer Wet Seal launched a collection of tops designed by Simpson on April 22. According to Simpson, her inspirations for Bittersweet World were reflected in the clothing line. Wet Seal also planned to sell Bittersweet World in its stores and on its website, and planned to hold a contest for which the grand prize was to include a trip to meet Simpson and attend one of the concerts on her planned tour. Simpson's 12 date summer tour was subsequently cancelled. OK! Magazine reported on May 31 that Simpson cancelled her summer tour due to her pregnancy. On July 4, Simpson was scheduled to perform for The TODAY Show's Summer Concert Series, but this performance was also cancelled.