ASHLEE STRIKES BACK

Lip-syncin' teenybopper Ashlee Simpson is in full-tilt damage control following her big Saturday Night Live debacle. On MTV's TRL Monday, Jessica's kid sis said she was suffering from "severe acid reflux" prior to her SNL performance, forcing her to sing with the aid of a guide track (i.e., lip-sync). But in a previous interview with Lucky magazine, Simpson said she was "totally against" lip-syncing, adding, "I'm going out to let my real talent show, not to just stand there and dance around. Personally, I'd never lip-sync. It's just not me." Well, a subsequent cortisone shot allowed Simpson to perform live (I think) and without incident at last night's Radio Music Awards. She also poked a little fun at her big goof, announcing just as her band started playing, "It's the wrong song! Just kidding, you guys!" Stop, you're killing me!