AceShowbiz -

Being hit with rumors of marital problems recently, Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz prove that their marriage is not on the rocks as what has been claimed by showing a very public display of affection Friday night, March 27. Making a surprise appearance half-way through the 2009 MTV Australia Awards, Ashlee went up to the stage and gave him a huge kiss.

During her surprise appearance, the younger sister of Jessica Simpson explained that she's been busy with "some acting work going on and just being a mom". She then instructed the crowd to "grab the person next to you" and exited the stage holding hands with Pete. Minutes later, the two went back to the stage and shared a passionate kiss before the cheering crowd.

Following the kiss, Pete, who was hosting the awards ceremony, told the audience, "Sorry, we haven't seen each other in a while." The Fall Out Boy bassist then added, "We're going to go and find some quiet time and fornicate somewhere." After that, he high-fived with Ashlee and left the stage together holding each other's hand. The video of Ashlee and Pete's kiss can be seen via MTV.

Rumors about marital woes of Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz began to surface when the Chicago Sun Times reported that they were potentially on the verge of a divorce. The paper quoted a friend as saying, "Ashlee thinks Pete doesn't pay her enough attention and is out partying too much. He needs to work on their marriage more." Another friend reportedly agreed saying, "Ashlee is feeling a bit neglected [by Pete] in recent weeks. ... Pete does seem kind of bored lately, and he doesn't talk about Ashlee like he used to. The gushing has stopped."

This celebrity couple has tied the knot at the Encino home of Ashlee's parents, Joe and Tina Simpson on May 17, 2008. Soon after, they confirmed that they are expecting their first child. On November 20 the same year, Ashlee gave birth to a baby boy named Bronx Mowgli at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.