They call it the Disney curse. Cute and adorable child actors starring in one of Disney’s famous family shows, entertaining millions of viewers around the globe but when the cameras stop filming, these youngsters seem to get into a lot of trouble. The pressure to be perfect, adorable, and endearing can be overwhelming for any kid, regardless of how mature he or she is. We have heard of too much money and fame too early on in life. From Britney Spears’ meltdown, Lindsay Lohan’s run-in with the law, or Miley Cyru’s raunchy and over sexually charged dance routines, it’s hard to believe these women were once under the payroll of happiest place on earth. One child star who also grew up under the Disney label is Hilary Duff. She has proven that the so called curse might have to do more with personal choices than anything else.Hilary and her older sister Hailey grew up taking ballet, singing, and acting classes from an early age.
Hilary says her parents never pushed her into a life of show business. Instead, they saw how dedicated Hilary was to her craft from an early age.
Hilary had been home schooled from the time she was eight years old so she could focus on her career.
With the show’s success came music albums, dolls, T-shirts, and books based on her character.
During this time, Hilary dated another teen star Aaron Carter. They dated on-and-off for about three years. This garnered a lot of media attention as it turned into a love triangle between Hilary, Aaron, and Lindsay Lohan.
The film went on to gross over $123 million in the box office. While her contract for the show Lizzie McGuire ended, Hilary continued to focus on her music and acting. She also released a clothing line, “Stuff by Hilary Duff,” which made over $5 million in its first year.
“I walked into a mall one day and was mobbed by people. And I just remember feeling really different than everyone else. I felt really loved. But it was weird at the same time. I don’t necessarily like to walk into a place and be recognized,” said Hilary about her relationship with fame.
“There’s not. People always want to expect that, but we’re so focused on what we’re doing individually, that that’s the last thing that happens,” explains Hilary about any possible rivalry with Hailey.
While working in the movie A Cinderella Story, Hilary practiced for her driver’s license by driving herself to the studio.
She was stalked by a 19-year-old man and his 50-year-old roommate. The younger man was so obsessed with Hilary he vowed to “remove enemies,” such as the singer’s boyfriend at the time.
“I did get skinny, I’ve felt that pressure like everyone else in my position. When a newspaper comes out that says ‘Duff Puff – she must have gained 15 pounds’ or something like that, how would any normal person react? I do worry about what I look like but I’m not going to let it control my life,” said Hilary.
In 2006, Hilary and Hailey starred in the movie Material Girls. Hilary received a Razzie Award nomination for Worst Actress. This was Hilary’s third nomination for the third year in a row.
“I wonder what life would have been like to have a different life. I sometimes wish I wasn’t always watched or didn’t have to worry about been seen somewhere. But I’ve experienced things other girls haven’t. I’ve traveled, I’m financially independent, I own a beautiful home and I’m happy with my job. I don’t have to struggle with the questions a lot of other women do,” said Hilary.
In 2010, she published the book Elixir. It was written in collaboration with Elise Allen. The book went onto make New York’s best-seller list.
The couple married on August 10, 2010.
“I love putting makeup on other people. If I weren’t an actress, I would be a makeup artist,” explained Hilary of an alternate career.
She must have been really into her singing performance as Hilary chipped her teeth with a microphone. She had to get veneers to repair her mouth.
“We are overjoyed and feel like the luckiest parents in the world. He is surrounded by so much love!! Mom and baby are both doing extremely well,” wrote Hilary on her Twitter account.
“We love building Legos together. We love going to the park together. We play grocery store a lot. We scooter! I have a pink Razor scooter. So I’ve given up on all my coolness because he is like a speed demon on his Razor, and I can’t keep up,” said Hilary about her relationship with her son Luca.
Hilary is also involved in philanthropic work. She donated $250,000 to help Hurricane Katrina victims.
