Celebrity

Jessica Simpson Roughs It in Africa

In Uganda for her docu-series on beauty, she endures bugs and tent-sleeping

Published on September 28, 2009 03:30 PM

Jessica Simpson is used to traveling in style – five-star hotels and restaurants, entourage in tow – but last week she experienced something brand new, by roughing it Uganda.

There, along with her BFFs Ken Paves and Cacee Cobb, she went to film the latest installment of her upcoming docu-series, The Price of Beauty, set to air sometime next year.

PHOTOS: A Look Back at Jessica’s Tough Year
Posting a picture of herself looking forlorn as she peeked out from the giant mosquito net surrounding her bed, Simpson Tweeted on Sept. 23, “WTF?!? Do I really have to sleep like this?”

Only minutes earlier, Paves posted a shot of a gigantic spider and joked in a message to Simpson and Cobb, “Is this the Price of Beauty? Don’t let the bed bugs bite!”

A source close to Simpson told PEOPLE.com, “The accommodations were certainly interesting, but Jessica enjoyed being a part of a totally different culture.” Indeed, the following day, Simpson Tweeted, “LOVED my first day in Uganda meeting incredible women filled with spirit.”

But her sleeping arrangements were still on her mind. “Bedtime in the tent is questionable,” she Tweeted.

‘A Beautiful Adventure’

Simpson arrived in Uganda early last week and left this past weekend. “Uganda was truly a beautiful adventure,” she Tweeted Sunday. “I will carry the spirit of all the people with me always. God Bless.”

According to a source, the trip helped take Simpson’s mind off her beloved Maltipoo, Daisy, who had been taken by a coyote on Sept. 14. “Jessica had such an enlightening experience [in Uganda],” says the source. “She loved the people and found them so warm and welcoming. The Uganda portion of the show is going to be fascinating.”

Simpson faced another loss on July 9, when she split with her longtime boyfriend, Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Tony Romo. On Sept. 20, the day the Cowboys were to play the New York Giants (who won), she Tweeted, “First home game of the season in the new stadium … GO COWBOYS!!!!!!!!”

While some speculated that Simpson was trying to reach out to Romo with the posting, the source says she cheered on the Cowboys simply because “Jessica is a Texas girl- she has always been and will always be a Cowboys fan. There is no contention between [her and Tony]. She has respect and love for Tony.”