Hilary Duff is opening up about her early days as a child star under her mother's management. The former Lizzie McGuire actress recently appeared on Mythical Kitchen, where she reflected on the challenges of growing up in Hollywood, including being "fired" from a TV show at age 11 and replaced by twins due to labor laws.
Duff emphasized that the experience prepared her for harsh industry judgments but clarified she was never forced into acting. "My mom knew my sister Haylie and I loved performing," she told host Josh Scherer, addressing perceptions of Susan Duff as a "stage mom."
Hilary Duff appeared on 'Mythical Kitchen' hosted by Josh Scherer. Mythical Kitchen/YouTube
Her comments come in response to Frankie Muniz, who recently described Susan as "super intense" and "the epitome of a stage mom" in an interview. Muniz recalled a 2002 incident on the Lizzie McGuire set, where Susan inquired about his role in Agent Cody Banks and secured Hilary's part overnight.
"I was like, 'No she's not!'" Muniz said of learning Hilary would co-star, noting the swift contract signing left him stunned. He admitted feeling "sad" when Susan visited the set, impacting his experience on the film.
Frankie Muniz and Hilary Duff co-starred in 'Agent Cody Banks' in 2003. Diyah Pera/MGM
Despite the tension, Duff highlighted her role in paving the way for other Disney stars like Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, and Miley Cyrus, who followed her path to pop music success. She remains proud of her career trajectory and her mother's support.
