Hilary Duff reveals why watching traumatic child stardom shows leaves her ‘sad’
Hilary Duff has spoken about the emotional impact of recent documentaries revisiting the treatment of young performers, while reflecting on her own experiences of navigating early fame.
Hilary Duff has said recent documentaries examining the darker side of child stardom have left her feeling “really quite sad”.
The actress and singer, 38, defined a generation with Lizzie McGuire, made the remark as she reflected on her own early career.
Hilary rose to prominence in the early 2000s through Lizzie McGuire before expanding into film roles such as A Cinderella Story and a music career that included albums like Metamorphosis.
And speaking at the Time100 Summit in conversation with Dan Macsai, she addressed the renewed scrutiny on children’s television prompted by recent releases including Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV and Framing Britney Spears.
Reflecting on watching such material, Hilary said: “It’s such a long time ago, but it’s an out-of-body experience. I think I feel really quite sad when I watch a lot of those documentaries for obvious reasons.”
Her comments come amid continued discussion in the showbiz industry about safeguarding young performers and reassessing the culture of early fame.
Hilary, whose later television work includes Younger, said she felt fortunate in comparison to some of her contemporaries.
She added: “I feel very grateful that I wasn’t put in too many positions that left battle wounds on me.”
Hilary added: “I have held a job as an adult since I was nine years old. I had a very different upbringing, a lot of missed experiences, but also a lot of amazing (ones.)”
Describing the trajectory from her early life in Texas to global recognition, Hilary went on: “I’m a scrubby kid from Texas. I sometimes am like, ‘How did I get here? How did I end up here?’”
She continued to reflect on the demands placed on her as a child actor, noting the expectations of professionalism from a young age.
HIlary said: “I had to be able to hold my own in a room full of adults constantly, and was expected to show up and be professional. Through exhaustion or sickness or whatever, just keep grinding.”
The discipline, she added, shaped her development both personally and professionally.
Hilary concluded: “It’s taught me a lot and it’s completely formed who I am, and I’m proud of that person.”
