Ashlee Simpson has blasted tabloids in the media, who’ve been reporting that her older sister – former reality show star turned country singer Jessica Simpson – has stacked on the weight.

The 24-year-old mother of Bronx Mowgli (whose father is Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz) says she’s “disgusted” by the reports from across the globe, blogging on MySpace that the comments over her sibling’s weight are “embarrassing and belittling to all women”.

“I am completely disgusted by the headlines concerning my sister’s weight,” Ashlee says, after unflattering shots of Jessica appeared over the weekend, sparking countless news stories. “A week after the inauguration and with such a feeling of hope in the air for our country, I find it completely embarrassing and belittling to all women to read about a woman’s weight or figure as a headline on Fox News.  All women come in different shapes, sizes, and forms and just because you’re a celebrity, there shouldn’t be a different standard.”

Jessica’s former husband, singer Nick Lachey, also came to her defence. “I think it’s ridiculous that the media is making such a big deal about it,” he said at his Super Skins Celebrity Golf Classic party. “It’s ridiculous that it would be making headlines. But you can’t believe everything that’s written or reported in the media. I wish her nothing but happiness.”