Hilary Duff: Life & Love After Lizzie - Call Her Daddy Recap
Podcast: Call Her Daddy
Published: 2026-02-25
Duration: 1 hr 28 min
Summary
Hilary Duff discusses her long-awaited return to the spotlight, sharing insights on balancing her career and family life while embracing her past. She reflects on her journey from child star to a confident artist ready to celebrate her legacy.
What Happened
In this episode, Alex Cooper welcomes Hilary Duff, who is making waves with her upcoming album and tour after a decade-long hiatus. Hilary opens up about how she feels welcomed back into the entertainment world, describing her return as a 'victory lap.' Despite the excitement, she candidly acknowledges the challenges that come with balancing her career and family life, noting, 'I have four kids and a family that I really like being with.'
Hilary also delves into the complexities of her past as a child star, admitting that it took time for her to reclaim her identity and feel ownership over her body of work. She shares her feelings of confusion about whether people loved her for her or the characters she portrayed, explaining, 'Do people love me or do they love that character?' This introspection reveals the emotional weight of growing up in the public eye and how she has learned to embrace her history while moving forward with confidence.
Key Insights
- Hilary's return is marked by a sense of celebration and ownership over her past work.
- Balancing a thriving career with family responsibilities presents unique challenges for Hilary.
- She reflects on the struggle of distinguishing her identity from her childhood roles.
- Hilary emphasizes the importance of confidence and clarity in her current artistic endeavors.
Key Questions Answered
What does Hilary Duff mean by 'Hillary Duff Renaissance'?
Hilary describes her current phase as a celebration of her career, referring to it as a 'sick victory lap.' She expresses excitement about reconnecting with her past work, feeling a strong sense of ownership over her identity and experiences. The enthusiasm she feels from fans has made her realize there is a significant appetite for her return, prompting the media to label it a renaissance.
How has Hilary Duff's perspective on her early work changed?
Hilary shares that she previously felt disconnected from her earlier songs and performances, struggling to claim them as her own. However, she has since embraced these aspects of her career, stating, 'I am here to eat.' This newfound confidence allows her to celebrate her past rather than feel burdened by it.
What are the challenges Hilary faces balancing her career and family?
Hilary discusses the complexities of juggling her career with family responsibilities, noting that while she loves her work, it requires intense scheduling and effort, especially as a mother of four. She emphasizes the importance of being present for her family while also pursuing her professional passions.
What emotional scars does Hilary mention from being a child star?
Hilary reflects on the confusion stemming from her early fame, expressing concern about whether people love her as a person or just the character she portrayed. She acknowledges this as a battle scar, which has contributed to her feelings of self-doubt and the pressure she felt throughout her career.
How does Hilary Duff measure her career success now?
Hilary indicates that she is moving away from measuring her success against past projects, acknowledging that each experience has contributed to her growth. She feels proud of her accomplishments, like her role in 'Younger,' which she describes as a career highlight, and is now focused on the joy of creating new work.