Hilary Duff Reveals Why She Declared ‘I’m Going to Be a Pop Star’ After ‘Lizzie McGuire’

Hilary Duff didn't just happen to become a pop star after starring on Disney's "Lizzie McGuire." She actively chose music to move away from her iconic TV character. On The Drew Barrymore Show, Duff discussed the tough process of growing up in the public eye while being forever linked to her former role as Lizzie McGuire, which she played from 2001 to 2004.

Drew Barrymore asked Duff if she was trying to prove she was more than just a Disney star, particularly after she completed filming "Lizzie." Duff replied, "I think that was why I became a pop star. I didn't want to be called Lizzie anymore. I was going to make music, get a record deal, and be a pop star." Barrymore confirmed that Duff had indeed done so.

Duff's move from a Disney star to a recording artist became a significant part of her early career. Her 2003 album "Metamorphosis" topped the Billboard 200, making her a teen chart-topping pop artist. "Most Wanted," released in 2005, also hit No. 1, and she has had seven songs in the Billboard Hot 100. Duff admitted it took about a decade to come to terms with Lizzie McGuire remaining the same age while she continued to grow up herself.

"It's weird to play a character that people grow so attached to, yet she doesn't age," Duff said. "I grew up, but she stays that age." Barrymore, who also grew up in the spotlight, related Duff's experience to her own. They talked about how audiences often attach themselves to the younger versions of actors they grew up watching, even as those performers age and develop their own identities.

For Duff, music played a crucial role in her evolution. After releasing "Metamorphosis" in 2003, she went on to release albums like "Hilary Duff," "Dignity," and "Breathe In. Breathe Out." Her latest album, "luck… or something," came out in February 2026 after more than a decade without a studio album. Billboard reported that the 11-track project signaled Duff's return to music with Atlantic Records.

Over two decades after "Lizzie McGuire" premiered, Duff is starting to embrace both sides of her legacy. Her latest era combines her newest hits with introducing audiences to the adult artist she has become. In the interview, Duff explained that performing now lets her reconnect with her old audience while introducing them to her adult music.

She said, "It's like I get to have these pillars of my old music, which feels nostalgic and brings out that kid in people again. But then also, I can share my new music, introducing all of us as adults." Watch the full interview with Duff and Barrymore below.