According to a pair of well-known celebrity gossip publications, the answer to both questions is a resounding “yes.”

Of course, presumed baby-daddy Pete Wentz begs to differ.

In an e-mail to MTV, Wentz denied reports that surfaced Monday on the Web site of Us Weekly that he and Simpson are expecting their first child.

“There is a witch hunt for people to be pregnant whenever they get engaged in Hollywood,” he said. “This is all news to me. I can’t wait for the story about how I’m really in a gay relationship and this is all just a cover. I mean really, this is crazy. I mean we’re engaged, that’s true, and happy about it.”

Leaving no doubt as to his position on the matter, when asked again if he was denying reports that Ashlee Simpson is pregnant, Pete Wentz replied, “Yeah.”

ASHLEE SIMPSON IS EXCITED: Maybe because she’s pregnant, but definitely because she is talentless, yet rich and famous - the American Dream personified.

OK! Magazine and Us Weekly both cited unnamed sources close to the couple in their breaking stories. OK! offered as “proof” an account of Ashlee dealing with a “fierce bout of what appeared to be morning sickness” during a lunch at a Malibu restaurant. Right, because no one’s ever eaten bad seafood or gone to wash their hands.

“Ashlee Simpson would like to walk down the aisle before she’s showing,” a source supposedly told the celebrity news magazine, “Although she’s very cute the way she’s always checking out her belly now and asking everyone, ‘Am I showing yet?’”

Meanwhile, Us Weekly reported that a source told them Simpson was pregnant shortly after her engagement to Wentz was announced last week. When asked about the report by MTV News, Simpson’s rep replied: “Engaged.”

On Monday, a spokesperson for Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz added fuel to the speculation by declining to confirm nor deny this week’s rumors.

“We are thrilled to confirm their engagement and congratulate this happy couple,” the rep told MTV. “Beyond that there is nothing to add.”

Published: 4/15/08 by

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