Hilary Duff recently reflected on her first celebrity crush during an appearance on “The Jennifer Hudson Show.” The actress and singer, now 38, revealed that her youthful admiration was directed towards Jonathan Taylor Thomas, famously known as JTT. This revelation sparked a light-hearted moment when she asked the audience how many of them recognised the name.
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During the episode aired on May 20, Duff enthusiastically recounted her infatuation, stating, “My first celebrity crush was Jonathan Taylor Thomas. Do you remember JTT? Look, you’re too young. You’re too young.” The audience’s responses prompted her to express her surprise, noting that not even half appeared to know who Thomas was. She elaborated, saying, “Okay, guys. He was on *Home Improvement*. He was also in *The Lion King*. He was a kid. He was the voice of Simba, right?” Thomas was indeed a prominent figure in the 1990s, celebrated as a teen heartthrob showcased on numerous magazine covers at the time.
Jonathan Taylor Thomas, whose career peaked in the 90s, famously chose to step back from the Hollywood limelight when he was at his most popular. He focused on his education, attending prestigious institutions such as Harvard, Columbia, and St Andrew’s University in Scotland. In a 2013 interview, Thomas shared with PEOPLE, “I’d been going nonstop since I was 8 years old. I wanted to go to school, to travel and have a bit of a break.” His decision to prioritise education over a steady acting career has often drawn admiration.
Duff also reminisced about another childhood crush during the show. She mentioned Zac Hanson, the youngest member of the pop band Hanson, which originally rose to fame in 1992. The band was well-loved in the 90s, and Zac, along with his brothers Isaac and Taylor, became icons of a generation, which clearly left a mark on Duff during her formative years.
In her personal life, Hilary Duff is now settled with musician Matthew Koma. The couple shares three daughters: Banks Violet, aged 8, Mae James, aged 5, and Townes Meadow, aged 2. Additionally, Duff is the mother of 14-year-old son Luca Cruz, whom she shares with her former husband, Mike Comrie.
Despite the passage of time since her youthful crushes, Duff’s nostalgia seems to resonate with many young parents today. Her playful acknowledgment of the generational divide when it comes to celebrity knowledge highlights how the landscape of fame has shifted over the years.
While Hilary is known for her role in “How I Met Your Father” and continues to thrive in her career, her candid moments about childhood crushes allow fans to connect with her on a more personal level. It serves as a reminder that, despite the fame and success, the experience of adoration and admiration for stars is universal, transcending age and time.
As she navigates the complexities of motherhood and a busy career, Duff’s light-hearted anecdotes about her early infatuations remind us that celebrity culture is often interwoven with our own life stories. Fans eagerly await more tales from Duff as she continues to share her journey in both her career and personal life, keeping her audience engaged and entertained.