Hilary Duff, once the golden girl of Disney Channel and a staple of early-2000s pop culture, is stepping back into the spotlight in a way few expected: by laying bare the fractures in her famously close-knit family. With the release of her new album, Luck…or Something, on February 20, 2026, Duff has not only returned to music after a decade-long hiatus but has also turned her personal pain into poignant art. The album’s third track, “We Don’t Talk,” has become a flashpoint for fans and media alike, as Duff confirms it is a direct reflection of her estrangement from her older sister, Haylie Duff.
In a candid interview on CBS Mornings the day of the album’s release, Hilary Duff didn’t shy away from the subject. She revealed, “It is definitely about my sister,” and described the rift as “the most lonely part of my existence is not having my sister in my life at the moment.” The lyrics themselves are achingly direct: “I don’t know how it happened, not even what it was about.” Duff’s honesty has struck a chord with listeners, many of whom have watched the sisters grow up together on screen and in the public eye.
The Duff sisters were once inseparable, collaborating on projects like their 2004 cover of “Our Lips Are Sealed” for A Cinderella Story and co-starring in the 2006 film Material Girls. Haylie Duff reminisced in a 2006 Pop Entertainment interview, “We began this journey together. From a young age, we were very close, and I can’t envision it any other way. We truly value that bond.” But as adulthood set in and careers diverged, cracks began to show. Their last public appearance together was at Hilary’s wedding to Matthew Koma in 2019, and since then, their interactions—at least those visible to fans—have dwindled to almost nothing. Both sisters still follow each other on social media, but the silence is telling.
Speculation about the reasons behind their estrangement has run rampant. According to the Daily Mail, some point to jealousy and the pressures of living in the shadow of Hilary’s more prominent fame. The lyrics of “We Don’t Talk” seem to nod to this: “If it’s cause you’re jealous ‘cause you know I sell it, then you’re off the bigger half.” While neither sister has publicly confirmed these rumors, the lines have fueled discussion about the challenges of sibling relationships under the microscope of Hollywood.
Adding fuel to the fire, recent drama involving actress Ashley Tisdale has made headlines. Tisdale’s viral essay about being excluded from a “toxic” mom group led to speculation that Hilary Duff was involved. Haylie Duff’s decision to like Tisdale’s post and later be seen dining with her in Malibu only stoked the flames. Hilary herself addressed the broader family drama on Jake Shane’s Therapuss podcast in November 2025, linking it to her long musical absence since her 2015 album, Breathe In. Breathe Out.
But the Duff family’s story is about more than just the sisters. On the March 9 episode of On Purpose With Jay Shetty, Hilary Duff opened up about her parents’ divorce in 2008 and the complicated dynamics that followed. “To be in a family that, you know, your parents aren’t together, and you don’t have relationships with both of your parents, it’s devastating,” she told Shetty. “You want your parents to feel like they care about you. And a big portion of my existence hasn’t felt like that. I don’t know if that’s the truth, but that’s how it feels.” She went on to say, “My dad and I don’t really have much of a relationship and we don’t speak very often. It’s really hard, I think, if a family breaks apart very dramatically. It’s hard to find your way back sometimes—some people want to and some people don’t.”
Hilary’s willingness to discuss her family’s fractures publicly is unusual for a star who, for much of her career, maintained a wholesome image. But as she explained to Glamour magazine earlier in February, “Just because you’re born into a family doesn’t mean that it always stays together.” For many fans, this vulnerability is both surprising and relatable, shining a light on the reality that even those who seem to have it all are not immune to heartbreak and estrangement.
The star’s personal struggles extend beyond her family ties. On the Jay Shetty podcast, Hilary reflected on her 2014 divorce from former NHL player Mike Comrie. “I felt like in that time of my life, I was so ready to get married … I was ready to have a baby,” she said. “Choosing to end a family is a huge, horrible choice to make. But I also co-parent … with that person. And we do a great job mostly.” Their divorce was finalized in 2016, and Hilary is now married to songwriter Matthew Koma, with whom she shares three children. She also continues to co-parent her eldest son, Luca, with Comrie.
Hilary’s experiences with fame, particularly as a Disney Channel star, have also left lasting scars. “Probably around 15 was when I feel like the world started getting very interested in what I was wearing, who I was dating, what I was eating … I feel like I lost some serious innocence,” she told Shetty. She described struggles with body image and disordered eating, saying, “I definitely struggled for a little while there, just trying to fit a certain mold and have control over something in my life. Thankfully that was pretty short-lived. Um, but definitely toyed with it.” For those facing similar issues, she pointed listeners toward the National Eating Disorders Association for support.
Despite—or perhaps because of—these personal challenges, Luck…or Something has resonated with audiences. The album debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200, and Hilary Duff is set to launch her first world arena tour in over a decade this June. The rawness and honesty of her new music mark a notable shift from her earlier work, signaling an artist who’s unafraid to confront her truth, however painful it may be.
Fans now wait to see if Haylie Duff will respond, especially as her birthday coincided with the album’s release. For many, the story of the Duff sisters is a bittersweet reminder that even the closest family bonds can fray—and that healing, if it comes, may take time and courage.
Hilary Duff’s journey is a testament to the complexities of fame, family, and forgiveness. By sharing her struggles so openly, she’s invited others to reflect on their own relationships—and perhaps to find some solace in knowing they’re not alone.