Hilary Duff

Duff was born on September 28, 1987 in Houston, Texas.[2][3][4] Her parents are Robert Erhard Duff, a partner in a chain of convenience stores, and Susan Colleen (née Cobb), a homemaker turned film and music producer. Duff has one older sister named Haylie.[4] She was raised between Houston and San Antonio, the locations of her father's convenience stores. Encouraged by their mother, both Hilary and her sister enrolled in acting, singing and ballet classes.[5] The siblings earned roles in local theater productions, and later participated in a touring BalletMet production of The Nutcracker in San Antonio.[4] Increasingly interested in the pursuit of show business, the Duff sisters and their mother moved to California in 1993, while their father stayed in Houston to take care of his business.[5] The sisters auditioned for several years and were cast in many television commercials.[5] In first grade, Duff was diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia, and was prescribed Ritalin, a medicine she has remained on ever since.[6] Due to her acting career, Duff was home-schooled from the age of eight.[7] The pair also modeled for various clothing brands.[8] Duff stated, "My sister and I really showed an interest in [performing] and dedication, and [our mother] was like, 'How can I tell my kids no?' It's the same as kids that are going into sports. Parents support them and push them."[9]

During her initial acting years, Duff primarily played minor roles, such as her uncredited part in the Hallmark Entertainment western miniseries True Women (1997)[10] and as an uncredited extra in the ensemble comedy-drama Playing by Heart (1998). The same year, Duff landed her first major role as Wendy in Casper Meets Wendy, based on the Harvey Comics characters.[11][12] After appearing in the supporting role of Ellie in the television film The Soul Collector (1999), Duff received a Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a TV Movie or Pilot (Supporting Young Actress).[13] In March 2000, Duff appeared as a sick child in the CBS medical drama series Chicago Hope. She was next cast as one of the children in the pilot episode of the NBC comedy series Daddio.[5] Her Daddio co-star Michael Chiklis stated, "After working with her the first day, I remember saying to my wife, 'This young girl is gonna be a movie star.' She was completely at ease with herself and comfortable in her own skin."[5] However, producers dropped Duff from the cast prior to the airing of the show.[5]

Duff with Texas Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn in 2004

A week after being dropped from Daddio, Duff landed the title role of a newly developed Disney Channel series, Lizzie McGuire.[5] Lizzie McGuire premiered on January 12, 2001, and became a ratings hit, with an estimated 2.3 million viewers per episode.[5] Duff quickly became labeled as a teen idol and household name, particularly within the show's pre-teen adolescent target demographic.[14] Disney began marketing the series through soundtracks, books, dolls, toys, and video games based on Duff's character; the company reportedly made an estimated $100 million from the show's merchandise alone.[15] The actress was featured in the video game that was created for her Lizzie McGuire character and was released on the Game Boy system.[16] Duff made her feature film debut in Human Nature (2002), in which she portrayed the younger version of Patricia Arquette's character.[17] Duff also starred in the 2002 Disney Channel television film Cadet Kelly, which became the network's most watched program in its 19-year history.[5]

Duff began making appearances on various soundtracks for the Disney channel, recording a cover of the Brooke McClymont song "I Can't Wait" for the soundtrack to Lizzie McGuire.[18] She later recorded a cover of "The Tiki Tiki Tiki Room" for DisneyMania.[18] Upon expressing interest in a music career, production on Duff's debut Christmas themed album began.[18] Santa Claus Lane was released in October 2002, charting in the lower portion of the Billboard 200 chart in the United States. The album was initially distributed through Walt Disney Records, with Buena Vista later re-releasing the project. It went on to receive a Gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments exceeding 500,000 copies.[19][20] Despite initially only being released in North America, the album received numerous re-releases in the following years. Duff later signed a recording contract with Andre Recke of Hollywood Records to release future recordings.[21] Though her early music recordings garnered much success on Radio Disney, Recke and Buena Vista Records envisioned Duff appealing to a more mature audience.[18]

In 2003, Duff earned a co-starring role in the children's action comedy film Agent Cody Banks with Frankie Muniz. Scott Foundas of Variety called Duff's performance "charming," and thought she was "sidelined with little to do much of the time."[22] The same year, Duff reprised her role as Lizzie McGuire for The Lizzie McGuire Movie.[23][24][25] The film saw her also portraying the character of Isabella Parigi, an Italian pop star who McGuire is later mistaken for. Duff recorded the original song "What Dreams Are Made Of" for the film's finale, which was later included on the film's soundtrack.[26] She also recorded the song "Why Not," which released as Duff's debut single, though the song was not released as a single release in North America.[27] The song became a top-twenty hit in Australia and New Zealand, becoming her first song to chart worldwide.[28] The soundtrack to The Lizzie McGuire Movie went on to be certified Platinum in Canada and 2x Platinum by the RIAA.[29]

Duff released her second studio album, Metamorphosis, in August 2003.[30] The album received mixed reviews from contemporary music critics, though it went on to reach the top of the Billboard 200 chart in the United States.[31] The album became a major hit for Duff, going on to sell over five million copies within its first two years of release.[4][32] The album sold over three million copies in the United States, becoming her highest selling album to date and earning a 3x Platinum certification from the RIAA.[33] The album spawned the successful singles "So Yesterday" and "Come Clean". While "So Yesterday" achieved Platinum status in Australia, "Come Clean" went on to become her first hit in the United States.[34][35] "Come Clean" was used as the theme song to the popular MTV series Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County and went on to receive a Gold certification from the RIAA.[36] Metamorphosis earned Duff multiple awards and nominations following its release.[37] Duff further promoted the album with the Metamorphosis Tour that ran from November to December 2003.[38] Later that year, Duff co-starred as one of the twelve children of Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt in the family comedy Cheaper by the Dozen, which remains her highest-grossing film to date. Slant Magazine reviewer Nick Schager wrote that Duff "does nothing more than look perky and stylish."[39][40]

Lizzie McGuire aired its final episode on February 14, 2004, following the fulfillment of Duff's 65-episode contract. Despite reports that the series was in talks for a second film and further television spin-off considered for sister network ABC, these plans fell through as Duff's salary for the proposal was insufficient.[41] The same year, she starred opposite Chad Michael Murray in the romantic comedy A Cinderella Story. The film went on to become a moderate box office hit despite negative reviews.[39][42][43] At the 2004 World Music Awards, Duff won the Best New Female Artist award. Duff's self-titled third studio album was released in September of that year. Duff was more involved in the production of this album than she had been in the production of her previous record, hoping of departing from the image she had developed during Lizzie McGuire.[44] The album, featuring prominent rock elements and drawing comparison to works from Avril Lavigne and Ashlee Simpson, debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 and went on to sell over 1.8 million copies in the United States.[45] The album contained one single released as such in the United States, which failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100. Later in the year, Duff starred in the musical drama Raise Your Voice. The film, however, was panned and unsuccessful at the box office.[46] Several reviews, however, while indifferent to Duff's acting performance, were critical of her vocals, a number finding fault with what appeared to be her digitally enhanced voice.[47][48][49] Her performances in A Cinderella Story and Raise Your Voice earned Duff her first Razzie nomination for Worst Actress in 2004.[50] Duff launched her first clothing line, "Stuff by Hilary Duff," in 2004. The line was distributed by Target in the U.S., Kmart in Australia, Zellers in Canada, and Edgars Stores in South Africa from March 2004 onwards.[51]

Duff in 2005

In 2005, Duff had a starring role in the film The Perfect Man, starring alongside Heather Locklear, which went onto become a box office success. The Village Voice's Matt Singer wrote, "Duff plays her standard character—an introverted romantic who falls for a guy whose hunky exterior belies an artistic soul.".[52] That August, Duff released her first compilation album, entitled Most Wanted.[53] The album featured songs from Duff's previous albums, as well as remixes and new material and included the hit single "Wake Up," which went on to become her second single to be certified Gold by the RIAA.[36] The compilation debuted at number one on the Billboard 200,[54] and had sold over one million copies a month after its release.[55][56] Duff later appeared in Cheaper by the Dozen 2, which resulted in her second Razzie nomination for Worst Actress in 2005.[57] Mike Clarke of USA Today said, "Duff just looks like she'd rather be in a different movie."[58][59]

Duff performing in 2006

Duff co-starred with her sister Haylie in the satirical comedy Material Girls (2006). The film earned both sisters a shared Razzie Award nomination for Worst Actress, becoming Duff's third consecutive nomination in three years.[60] The sisters were also nominated for Worst Screen Couple.[61] Hilary and Haylie collaborated on a cover of Madonna's single "Material Girl" for the film's soundtrack.[62] Duff released her first perfume, "With Love... Hilary Duff," in September 2006. The line was distributed by the Elizabeth Arden company. Initially only sold in Macy's department stores, the fragrance became available in Europe, Japan, and Canada and was one of the three best-selling fragrances launched in department stores in 2006.[63] That same year, Duff was stalked by a 19-year-old Russian immigrant identified as Max and his 50-year-old roommate David Joseph Klein. She filed for restraining orders against the two men,[64] claiming that Max "threatened to kill himself" to get her attention. She also alleged that he threatened to "remove enemies" who stand in his way, including Duff's boyfriend at the time Joel Madden. Max, later identified as Maksim Myaskovskiy, was sentenced to 117 days in prison.[65]

In 2007, Duff began working on material for her fourth studio album. Duff co-wrote thirteen of the album's fourteen songs, along with writers such as Kara DioGuardi.[66] The finished product, Dignity (2007), featured production from Rhett Lawrence, Tim & Bob, and Richard Vission, resulting in a dance and electropop sound for the record.[67][68][69] The album received critical praise, despite some critics noting Duff's "weak" vocals. The album was praised for its lyrical content and new musical direction.[70] The album dealt with topics such as her parents' divorce, her breakup with Joel Madden, and the stalking incident during the prior year. Despite a positive critical reception, Dignity failed to match the commercial success of her previous releases. Debuting at number three on the Billboard 200, the album failed to receive higher than a Gold certification from the RIAA.[36] Despite the album's lackluster performance, it included the single "With Love," which went on to become her highest charting single in the United States. Both "With Love" and the album's third single, "Stranger," topped the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart in the United States.[71][72] A television special titled Hilary Duff: This Is Now was produced to chronicle Duff's return to music. The two-part project aired on MTV before the album's release.[73] The series reportedly took sixty weeks to complete filming, and saw Duff both recording and preparing for the release of Dignity.[74][75]

Duff sisters at the premiere of War, Inc. at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 28, 2008

Following the release of Dignity and the music videos for "With Love" and "Stranger," Duff began to adapt a more mature image. Duff's new image inspired some to consider her a "sex symbol."[76] This image was reinforced by her appearance in the political satire film War, Inc. (2008), in which Duff portrayed an "oversexed" Central Asian pop star named Yonica Babyyeah. The film received a limited release in the United States.[77] Duff recorded the songs "Boom Boom Bang Bang" and "I Want to Blow You Up" for the film.[77] Despite initially announcing a deluxe edition of Dignity for a 2008 release, Duff later confirmed that she would release a greatest hits album to fulfill her contract with Hollywood Records.[78] Best of Hilary Duff (2008) received no promotion prior to its release, entering the Billboard 200 at number 125.[79] It became her first album released in the United States to not receive a certification from the RIAA.[79] The compilation included the single "Reach Out," which sampled the Depeche Mode song "Personal Jesus."[80] The song featured provocative lyrics referencing sex, while its music video saw Duff both humping a statue and sucking a man's thumb.[81][82] The song became her third consecutive single to top the Hot Dance Club Play chart in the United States. She announced to MTV that she would begin writing another album in December 2008, but it was never developed.[83][84] That same year, Duff ceased to have control over Stuff by Hilary Duff, thus the line was discontinued.[85][86]

Duff had a leading role as the title character of the film According to Greta (2009), which chronicled the life of a suicidal and rebellious teen. Her performance received mixed reviews. Andrew Barker of Variety criticized Duff's "child star" approach to acting and wanted her to stay away from teen roles.[87] However, Los Angeles Times critic Robert Abele wrote that her attempt to "transform her bright-eyed wholesomeness into rebellious snark" in Greta "is a valiant one."[88] Later that year, she co-starred as a narcissistic seductress in What Goes Up. Brian Lowry of Variety magazine stated that Duff's performance "amounts to a near-adult role," yet labeled her role and the film "confused."[89] Despite having previously turned down a role in The CW drama 90210 to avoid projects within the "teen" genre, it was later confirmed that Duff would appear as a recurring character in the third season of the hit series Gossip Girl.[90][91] Duff portrayed famous actress Olivia Burke, who enrolled at New York University in search of a traditional college experience. Duff's character sparked a romantic relationship with male lead character Dan Humphrey, and was later the center of controversy when the two had a threesome with Humphrey's friend Vanessa Abrams.[92] Enid Portugez of the LA Times praised her performance by giving a positive review to her involvement in this adult role.[93] The following year, she won a Teen Choice Award for Best Television Female Scene Stealer for her appearance on Gossip Girl.[94] In 2009, Duff collaborated with DKNY Jeans where she co-designed a collection of special pieces. With the objective of designing a clothing line for women her own age, the collaborative apparel line, titled Femme for DKNY Jeans, debuted in the United States in August 2009 and was around for a limited time.[95][96][97][98]

Duff at a signing for Elixir in 2010

Duff continued to appear in film roles, starring in the ABC Family television film Beauty & the Briefcase (2010), where she also served as an executive producer. The film saw Duff as a fashion magazine columnist who wrote about her dating struggles in the city. The premiere received 2.4 million viewers attracting a strong female audience that drove the network to an all-time high in viewers.[99] Following this appearance, she made another in an episode of the NBC sitcom Community.[100][101] She then co-starred as Raven Halfacre, the teenage daughter of a promiscuous alcoholic, in the drama Bloodworth, in which, despite not warming to the film, Los Angeles Times reviewer Sheri Linden thought she "acquits herself well." The Examiner also wrote that the "biggest surprise performance [in the film] probably belongs to Hilary Duff."[102] In 2010, Duff set up a book-writing deal with Simon & Schuster.[103] Published in October 2010, the first young adult novel to result from her and Elise Allen's collaboration was entitled Elixir. It was subsequently released internationally and became a New York Times best-seller.[104]

The following year, Duff co-starred in the Polish brothers' comedy Stay Cool (2011) to neither much critical nor commercial acclaim or success.[105][106] The independent film saw Duff in a major role alongside Winona Ryder among others. Devoted, the sequel to Duff's authorial debut, was released in October 2011. Devoted picks up where its predecessor left off and continues the story of the original novel.[107] That same month, Duff alluded to working on her fifth studio album to E!.[108] In January 2012, she confirmed, through her official website and Twitter, that she had again begun recording songs.[109][110] Throughout the recording sessions in 2012, Duff primarily worked with songwriter Ali Tamposi, musicians Matt Squire and Jason Evigan. However, those songs did not make the final cut on Duff's album.[111] The same year, she co-starred in Rob Margolies' comedy She Wants Me, as a well-known starlet who enters a love triangle.[112] In August 2012, Duff signed a deal with 20th Century Fox to develop and produce a sitcom in which she would star. According to the deal if the thirty-minute sitcom failed to work, Duff would be cast in a different show. However, this plan failed to develop.[113][114][115] She appeared as a guest judge in Project Runway that September.[116]

In early 2013, Duff guest starred in the Fox sitcom Raising Hope,[117] her first role since the birth of her child. She later guest starred in the tenth season finale of the CBS sitcom Two and a Half Men.[118] Duff provided voice work for the animated film Wings, alongside Jesse McCartney and Josh Duhamel; she later appeared in its sequel the following year. By July 2013, Duff had finished filming the independent film Flock of Dudes, which was released in September 2016.[119] That same year, Duff released the third and final novel in her Elixir trilogy, titled True (2013).[120]

Duff in 2017

On January 15, 2014, Duff signed on to co-star opposite Sutton Foster in the comedy-drama pilot Younger. The series is based on a Pamela Redmond Satran novel, and created and executive-produced by Darren Star for TV Land. Duff was cast as Kelsey Peters, an "ambitious 20-something" who persuades Foster's character to work in a publishing firm.[121] In April 2014, it was announced that the pilot was picked up for a series with a 12-episode deal and would premiere in the fall; the premiere date was later changed to 2015.[122][123] The show marks Duff's first starring role in a television series since her appearance on Lizzie McGuire.[124] Younger premiered on March 31, 2015.[124] The series has received generally positive reviews from critics and her performance as Kelsey Peters has earned her acclaim, and nominations for Favorite Cable TV Actress at the 2016 and 2017 People's Choice Awards, two Teen Choice Awards nominations, and a nomination for the Gracie Allen Awards.[125][126][127][128][129][130]

Duff attended the 2014 iHeartRadio Music Awards on May 1, 2014, where she confirmed that she was working with songwriter Savan Kotecha and English singer Ed Sheeran.[131] On July 23, 2014, it was revealed that Duff had signed with RCA Records to release her upcoming fifth studio album. She released the album's lead single "Chasing the Sun" and its accompanying music video on July 29, 2014.[132][133] The song entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 79, becoming her first song to enter the chart since "Stranger" (2007).[134] The song's music video garnered fourteen million views in its first week of release on popular video sharing website YouTube, making it her fastest viewed music video to date.[135] The album's second single, "All About You," was released as the album's official lead single on August 12.[135] It failed to enter the Hot 100 chart, but became her first song to chart on the Mainstream Top 40 chart since "With Love" (2007). It became a top-twenty hit in Australia, where it later earned a Gold certification from the ARIA. This made it her second song to receive a certification in the country, following "So Yesterday" (2003) eleven years prior.[136] In November 2014, Duff provided voice work for a Dora the Explorer special episode as Ice Witch.[137]

Duff released the single "Sparks" from her fifth studio album titled Breathe In. Breathe Out. on April 6, 2015, which debuted and peaked at number 93 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became her fourth top ten hit on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart.[138] Breathe In. Breathe Out was released on June 12, 2015. It debuted at number 5 on the Billboard 200, becoming her fifth top-five album. Duff had planned to tour in support of the album in early 2016, but announced in February 2016 that she would not be touring.[139][140] The album was Duff's first studio effort to not have received any certification from RIAA, and is her only release under RCA Records.[141]

In June 2016, Duff revealed that she has been working on a new album. In contrast to Breathe In. Breathe Out, she said that the new album has a "darker and heavier tone". She teased a new song via her Snapchat post, which was then confirmed to be titled "Tied to You".[142]

In January 2017, Duff became one of the investors for the cosmetic line Kopari Beauty, alongside other celebrities such as Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis and Karlie Kloss.[143]

Duff returned to her fashion designing career in January 2018, for the first time in nine years since "Femme for DKNY". She launched a collaborative eyewear line with GlassesUSA called the "Muse x Hilary Duff" collection.[144] In the same month, she announced that she was filming an independent movie, later revealed to be titled The Haunting of Sharon Tate, relating to the Tate murders.[145] The film was written and directed by Daniel Farrands while Duff served as an executive producer on the film. She starred alongside Lydia Hearst and former Cheaper by the Dozen 2 co-star, Jonathan Bennett.[146] The film was released in April 2019 and at the 2019 Hollywood Reel Independent Film Festival, Duff won the Best Actress award for her portrayal of the title character.[147] While independent horror films reviews were more positive, The Haunting of Sharon Tate was panned by major mainstream film critics and Variety called Duff as being "too contemporary" to portray Sharon.[148] Debra Tate, the sister of the late Sharon, had also expressed her disapproval of the project.[149] The film was nominated for several categories at the 40th Golden Raspberry Awards, and Duff was awarded the Worst Actress award.[150][151] Prior to filming the movie, Duff traveled to Dunfermline in Scotland to film her appearance on an episode in the tenth season of Who Do You Think You Are?.[152] The episode revealed that the King of Scots Robert the Bruce is Duff's 21 times maternal great-grandfather.

In September 2018, it was confirmed that Duff will be lending her voice as the lead character in an animated film, Meet Your Tooth Fairy.[153] The same month, due to the success of her eyewear collection, Duff launched a limited edition of her "Muse x Hilary Duff" collection, namely the "Bold Capsule". This capsule included new varieties of color blocks and asymmetrical details.[154] In November, Duff together with several other celebrities, including Patrick Schwarzenegger and Will Smith, were named investors in the viral 2-in-1 children's product "Cubcoat", and raised $4.85 million.[155] She also launched a capsule collection under her sister Haylie's children clothing line "Little Moon Society", aside from a festive holiday capsule version of her eye-wear collection.[156][157]

In January 2019, Duff invested again, this time with comedian Chelsea Handler in the cosmetics line "Nudestix".[158] Her investment resulted in her launching her own make-up kit named "Daydreamer", in September 2019.[159] Earlier in July, Younger was announced to be renewed for a seventh and final season. The series has since become the network's longest-running original series and one of the longest-running cable comedies in television history. For Duff, her role as Kelsey Peters is the longest television role she has played in her career after Lizzie McGuire in Lizzie McGuire.[160] In May 2020 it was confirmed that Duff will be starring in a spinoff series of the show. She will be reprising her role as Kelsey Peters, and the series will reportedly center on her character. Younger's creator Darren Star will be attached to the project.[161]

Duff announced at the D23 Expo in August 2019 that she will reprise her role as McGuire in an upcoming revival of the series on the new streaming service Disney+. The creator Terri Minsky initially was to return as the showrunner, whereas Duff serves as the executive producer. The series' original storyline revolves around McGuire as a 30-year-old navigating life in New York City.[162][163] However, on January 9, 2020, Minsky was revealed to have left the post after filming the first two episodes due to "creative differences" and since then the production of the series was halted.[164] The following month, Duff eventually voiced out on the stalled production of the series via Instagram, and revealed that she and Minsky disagreed with the PG rating Disney+ has restricted them to. According to Duff, restricting it to such rating will be a "disservice" to the eager fans as McGuire has already matured. She then urged for it to be instead moved to Hulu, a suggestion Minsky also agreed to.[165] In August 2020, Duff spoke up regarding the revival and affirmed that she was "optimistic that it will happen", and that "a lot of writing is happening".[166] During an interview with the Australian morning talk show, The Morning Show that month, Duff said that she will be filming the revival series once she completes filming the final season of Younger.[167] However, on December 16, 2020, she confirmed that the revival was scrapped by Disney+. She expressed gratitude towards the fans' loyalty, and said that everyone has tried their best to ensure the project goes forward.[168] On the same day, Disney issued a statement to USA Today, which clarified why they "decided to hold off" the revival. They reasoned that fans of the show "have high expectations for any new stories", and "unless and until we are confident we can meet those expectations" they decided to hold off the show. The cast was informed of the show's cancellation via their representatives.[169]

In November 2019, Duff was announced to be the new co-owner and chief brand officer of Naturalena Brands' line of products which are the baby products brand "Happy Little Camper" and its sister company, the feminine care products "Veeda".[170] The following month, she launched her fourth capsule collection with GlassesUSA under her "Muse x Hilary Duff" collaboration, namely "AM/PM". Her collaboration with GlassesUSA was credited to help boost the "Muse" brand's sales, resulting in it being the best-selling brand for GlassesUSA's premium brand category.[171]

In February 2020, music producer RAC released the single "Never Let You Go" which featured both Duff and her husband Matthew Koma on vocals. A cover of the early-2000s hit from the band Third Eye Blind, it is Duff's first musical release since her 2016 cover of "Little Lies" for Younger. The single was released under the label Counter Records.[151] Later that month, Duff and actor Christopher Mintz-Plasse appeared as cameos in the music video for the single "CVS" by Koma's band, Winnetka Bowling League.[172]

Duff revealed via her social media accounts in September that she will be releasing a children's picture book titled My Little Brave Girl in March 2021, and will be published by Random House Children's while illustrated by Kelsey Garrity-Riley. Duff said that she was inspired to write this book by her daughter Banks. The book is aimed to mothers and also daughters aged 3 to 7 and it is a "beautiful and inspiring book about bravery and love". This will be Duff's fourth overall book release and her first since True from 2013.[173]