...there is no Cure

Can Robert Smith Cure Ashlee Simpson's Lack of Talent?

Ashlee Simpson is to record a duet with The Cure frontman Robert Smith.

The singer, the younger sister of Jessica Simpson, is to collaborate with Smith on her new album, the as-yet-untitled follow-up to "I Am Me," released in 2005.

It is believed the duo's unlikely pairing has been masterminded by Fall Out Boy star Pete Wentz, who is rumored to have dated Ashlee and is close friends with Smith.

However, Wentz denies he has anything to do with it, telling Entertainment Weekly: "I doubt I had anything to do with it, because they were friends since she was performing in 'Chicago.' But I definitely only have good things to say about Ashlee - I think the collaboration could be great."

Simpson is also working on tracks with Keane frontman Tim Rice-Oxley, The Neptunes' Chad Hugo and soul singer John Legend on the hotly anticipated LP.

Ashlee, 22, has recently been romantically linked with Hugo as well as Wentz.