Hilary Duff responds to rumors about old flame, sister Haylie and more

Millennial icon Hilary Duff opened up about her musical comeback and personal life in a CBS Mornings interview on February 20, 2026, discussing her first headlining tour in 18 years and the deeply personal themes in her new album 'luck… or something,' which she co-produced with her husband. The former Disney Channel star, who rose to fame as Lizzie McGuire in 2001, has been bringing fans a dose of early 2000s nostalgia while addressing mature themes in her music that reflect her journey through adulthood and family life. Duff revealed that stepping out of the shadow of her iconic Disney character wasn't easy, as she struggled with being associated with a role that 'doesn't ever grow up' during her uncomfortable phase in her thirties. After taking a decade-long break from music to focus on her family, Duff has returned with an album that explores themes of abandonment, family relationships, and personal growth. The mother of four met her husband, musician and producer Matthew Koma, during the making of her last album in 2015, and their collaboration resulted in her latest work. Duff admitted that while she's most proud of her family, her return to music has been a significant part of her personal journey. Before each show, she practices self-affirmation, looking in the mirror and telling herself, 'You're a bad b****. You got this,' to build confidence for her performances. In her new album, Duff addresses several personal topics that have become subjects of public speculation. The song 'Mature' explores a relationship with an older man, with fans speculating it references Leonardo DiCaprio. While Duff confirmed it's about her own cross-generational relationship, she's enjoying keeping fans guessing about the specifics. 'I have had so much fun watching the internet stir about this,' she said, adding that she can neither confirm nor deny the rumors. More profoundly, Duff confronts family strains in songs like 'The Optimist' and 'We Don't Talk,' which respectively address her relationship with her father and her estranged sister Haylie. 'It's definitely about my sister,' she confirmed about 'We Don't Talk,' expressing that 'the most lonely part of my existence is not having my sister in my life at the moment.' Despite the vulnerability of sharing these personal experiences publicly, Duff emphasized her intention was simply to share her truth without malice.