Fans feel jilted by 'Newlyweds' star Simpson

An autograph session with pop sensation Jessica Simpson at a Danvers WalMart drew far more attention than the singer or store officials had expected last night, forcing an early exit by the reality TV star and making thousands of fans angry after they were turned away, store employees said.

Simpson, star of the MTV series "Newlyweds," was scheduled to appear at 6 p.m. and sign 300 autographs. But after arriving late, she left the store after a half-hour, when Danvers police said the thousands waiting for a glimpse of Simpson posed a threat to public safety, said WalMart employee Sam Diplatzi.

Linda Dipietrantonio, 33, of Malden, was one of those in line. "I'm completely irate," she said last night. "I spent five hours outside WalMart with my two children and I'm eight months pregnant. We just purchased the new CD, and she got up and left all of her fans in the freezing cold because she was scared."

Danvers police said four arrests were made at the signing. One officer was scratched in the face trying to arrest a 16-year-old female, police said. A 17-year-old female, 15-year-old female, and 16-year-old male were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct. Police did not have an official crowd estimate.

Fans packed the parking lot and store, Diplatzi said, winding in four lines around the complex, while cars trying to make it to the event backed up traffic on Route 114. About 100 fans had camped out Wednesday night while thousands of others arrived early yesterday, he said.

The store closed its doors around 5 p.m. in anticipation of Simpson's arrival. As workers walked the aisles making sure the store had been cleared, they found one adult and two children hiding in the crafts department. The three were escorted out, Diplatzi said.

JESSICA BENNETT

and ADAM KRAUSS