Hilary Duff is no stranger to growing up in public. But during her recent appearance on Call Her Daddy, the former teen idol turned multi-hyphenate star offered one of her most candid reflections yet on fame, friendships, motherhood and self-worth.
Duff addressed the online buzz surrounding an essay written by Ashley Tisdale that described a “toxic” mom group experience. While she did not sensationalize the situation, Duff admitted that reading the piece was difficult. She said it left her feeling sad and, at times, used. As a mother who values her close-knit circles, she made it clear that authentic friendships matter deeply to her, especially in a life constantly scrutinized by the public.
The conversation also drifted back to early 2000s Hollywood, when headlines often framed Duff and Lindsay Lohan as rivals. With a mix of honesty and hindsight, Duff acknowledged the immaturity that defined that era. She even revealed that she once showed up at the Freaky Friday premiere during their teenage feud, a moment that now feels more like a relic of youth than lingering drama. Today, she views that chapter as long closed, shaped by growth and perspective rather than resentment.
Family dynamics surfaced as another emotional layer of the discussion. Duff reflected on her relationship with her older sister and admitted that navigating those feelings influenced her music and her sense of identity. The pressures of early fame, combined with personal expectations, created complexities she has since worked through with time and maturity.
Perhaps the most powerful portion of the interview centered on her divorce from former professional hockey player Mike Comrie. Duff explained that ending her marriage was not a decision made lightly. Instead, it was rooted in a desire to protect her emotional well-being and to demonstrate to her son that happiness and self-respect are worth fighting for. In speaking about co-parenting and healing, Duff underscored a theme that ran throughout the interview: choosing peace over pretense.
Now a mother of four and firmly in control of her narrative, Duff’s reflections felt less like celebrity confession and more like an evolved woman reclaiming her story. Fame may have introduced her to the spotlight, but it is resilience and self-awareness that continue to define her.