Hilary Duff has candidly reflected on her experiences as a child star, particularly regarding her iconic role as Lizzie McGuire. In a recent interview with Paper Magazine, Duff expressed her feelings of exhaustion with the character after portraying her over a span of 65 episodes within just two years. The 39-year-old actress, who first embraced the role in 2001, admitted to feeling overwhelmed during the production of “The Lizzie McGuire Movie,” which was filmed in Italy in 2003.
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During the interview, Duff revealed, “I was pretty done with Lizzie at that time.” She noted that the rapid pace at which she filmed the television series—30 episodes in one year followed by 35 the next—had taken a toll on her sense of identity. “I turned into a huge star. Everyone called me Lizzie,” she added, highlighting the way her fame had become entwined with her on-screen persona.
In retrospect, Duff expressed a desire to be recognised as an individual, rather than being solely associated with the character that had made her famous. “I want people to see me. This isn’t fun anymore,” she recounted, marking a pivotal moment in her career when she found herself needing to break away from the Lizzie McGuire brand.
Despite her earlier frustration, Duff has recently re-engaged with the character through music. She performed “What Dreams Are Made Of,” a song she originally recorded at just 15 years old, during her ongoing Lucky Me Tour. Reflecting on its significance, she stated that the song now carries a different meaning for her. “Now when I sing it, it feels so much better, and I get to join the celebration of what it meant to people, and what it means to me now,” she explained.
When discussing the past, Duff revealed her intention of separating her personal identity from Lizzie McGuire. “I was trying to create Hilary Duff separate from Lizzie,” she remarked, asserting that during her younger years, she felt like the character was a distinct entity. “I’m never singing that song. And I didn’t even own it. It wasn’t my song to sing,” she said about her feelings at that time, but she has since embraced the connection.
Duff recently revived her connection to the song with a new rendition featured on her 2026 EP, titled “Mine.” She performed this beloved track live for the first time during a concert at London’s O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, referencing how surreal it felt to witness the audience’s enthusiastic response. “All of it was just so crazy. I’m so glad it resonated with people this many years later,” she shared.
Lizzie McGuire’s influence on pop culture cannot be understated; it played a significant role in making Disney Channel a go-to destination for preteens, although the series concluded in 2004. Hilary Duff’s career has since flourished, with various prominent roles in films like “A Cinderella Story” and “Cheaper by the Dozen,” as well as maintaining a successful music career marked by albums such as “Metamorphosis” and “Dignity.”
In 2019, excitement surrounded the announcement of a reboot series featuring Duff and the original cast, only for it to be shelved shortly after. In December 2020, Duff communicated her disappointment via social media, stating that despite everyone’s best efforts to make the project work, it was ultimately not meant to be. “I want any reboot of Lizzie to be honest and authentic to who Lizzie would be today,” she insisted, underlining the character’s enduring legacy.
Hilary Duff’s reflections on her career reveal both the challenges and triumphs that accompany child stardom. The transition from being typecast in a beloved role to embracing a broader identity as an artist and individual showcases the complexities of growing up in the public eye. While she acknowledges her struggles, her recent performances suggest a newfound appreciation for the character that marked her early years and the joy it continues to bring to her fans.
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