Jessica Simpson is happy with her famous curvy figure because 'putting on extra pounds' has been good for the brand.

The singer-turned-designer has built a booming $1billion fashion empire, with various clothing, shoe and beauty lines. Simpson credits the success to her own fan-friendly image, because shoppers are drawn to stars with healthy bodies.

Simposon, who has recently revealed she is expecting her first child, has faced criticism and media taunts in the past for her fuller figure, but has learnt that her look has given her an edge among shoppers.

She tells Lucky magazine: "I got so much scrutiny for putting on extra pounds, but I think that the decision not to make myself anorexic was actually great for branding. Because when you’re really, really skinny, not everybody can relate to you.

"I like the way I look... Everybody fluctuates, but I’m open about my weight and I’m still confident."