"She has a strain, a bruise on her vocal cord," Rob Shuter, Simpson's publicist said Tuesday, adding that "she's on total vocal rest and some of her appearances have been delayed."

It sounds serious, indeed. Doctors reportedly told her that if she fails to observe orders to rest her voice, she could lose her voice forever.

Therefore, she had to reschedule her appearance on NBC's "Today Show" and also pulled out of a guest spot on CBS's "The Late Show with David Letterman."

But that will not stop her from making an appearanceon MTV's "TRL."

"She can still croak out a few sentences. She just can't sing," Shuter said.

The pop star, known for her vocal acrobatics and star of MTV's "Newlyweds," reminds the public that she is a singer. She does have a strong, melodious voice worth listening to, and she can make her vocals soar.

"A Public Affair" marks her fifth solo album, and first since she exchangedrecord companies from Columbia to Epic Records. Enditem

(Agencies)