Hilary Duff is, like, in a good place right now

By Vincent J. Schodolski
Tribune national correspondent

Part of what attracted actress Hilary Duff to the role of Holly in the recently released film "The Perfect Man" was the fact that she was nothing like the woman she plays.

"I think that when I read the script what I liked the most about it is that I don't relate to her at all," Duff said sitting on a sofa, legs and sandaled feet tucked under her. "The only thing I had in common with Holly is that we both liked eyeliner, a lot of it."

The film also stars Heather Locklear as Duff's mother Jean and Chris Noth, Carrie Bradshaw's "Big" from multiple seasons of "Sex and the City," as the model perfect man.

Prone to picking losers in her quest for love, Jean packs up and moves to a new place every time a romance goes south, which is what takes place in the opening scene of the film. She

packs up Holly and her 6-year-old sister Zoe, played by Aria Wallace. Off they go with a U-Haul trailer behind the tattered old family station wagon and relocate from Wichita to Brooklyn.

"My family is nothing like hers. I didn't grow up at all like how she does, not really getting close to anyone because you never know when you are going to get yanked away," Duff said. "It was really fun to get to kind of imagine and it was hard to imagine what it must be like to have to live like that and deal with those kind of problems."

Duff said that her family was very close-knit. "I grew up in Texas so very normal and Texan and like strong roots and just normal, you know."

She adds: "I have a really cool mom, like really strong and smart, and Holly's mom is like the complete opposite. She's insecure, she obviously had kids at a very young age. She doesn't really respect herself, she's desperate, she's lonely, she doesn't have that great judgment."

Duff said that her onscreen mom did not understand the good things about herself.

"On the outside looking in Holly gets to see that [good] . . . and it just drives her crazy and it really hurts her because the mom gets her heart broken and when she has a problem she packs up and runs. So the kids don't belong anywhere and don't have those roots and relationships to build that you do when you're growing up."

But Holly's well-laid plans--including flowers, love letters and online instant messages--go awry when her mom falls head over heals for the "perfect" man who does not exist.

"I think her intentions were good, but also kind of selfish because she wants to stay in one place and be normal like all the other kids that she's come across her whole life."

Along the way Holly falls for an earnest classmate named Adam (Ben Feldman) and panics as she grows close to a boy for the first time. Mimicking mom, Holly decides the family has to move again, this time for her sake.

"When something happens that kind of hurts her feelings, or that scares her, or that makes her think that maybe they are getting a little too close and she doesn't want to get hurt, she runs away and she doesn't notice it at first but that's the trait of her mother.

"The love story is between the mother and the daughter and how they help each other and kind of get through that tough age and you know the situations that they're dealt with."

Duff, who has released CDs of her music--sung in some cases with her sister Haylie Duff--said she was torn between acting and singing

"I couldn't believe the response of people," she said of a recent tour. "We would play 10,000- to 15,000-seat venues and sometimes we would stay an extra day and sell out the next night. It was just like, oh my gosh, you can't imagine the feeling, you know, it's just instant gratification."

Duff, who is about to start work on "Cheaper By the Dozen 2" with Steve Martin, has just completed another film.

"I just wrapped a movie called `Material Girls' with my sister. It's about two girls that are all like party girls and just have no values and they're not smart and they have a ton of money and this whole family goes down. They lose everything they have. It's really funny.

"Funny things happen to them. They're like dumb girls and there's lots of fun fashion in it [and] silly things that happen.

"They get their company back by getting smart. They kind of do it themselves for once."

She said she planned to remake the Madonna hit "Material Girl" with her sister to coincide with the film's release.

Interview With Calgary Sun

At 17, Hilary Duff is not just a teenager but her own cottage industry. She has a new summer film, the romantic comedy The Perfect Man and a new self-titled album Hilary Duff.

That's just the beginning. There are Hilary Duff cell phones, T-shirts, books, dolls, posters and party supplies.

THE SUN: With so much on your plate do you have time to just be a teenager?

DUFF: I do work a lot and travel a lot but I have a friend my age who travels with me. That way I can act my age.

THE SUN: Did you always want to be a performer?

DUFF: I always wanted to be like my older sister Haylie. When she learned to ride a bike, I had to as well. If she took ballet lessons I did too. I took singing lessons because she did. It all just got more intense until it turned into careers for both of us.

THE SUN: You and Haylie just teamed up for the movie Material Girls. What was that like?

DUFF: It was a blast. It was like playing dress-up. We had instant chemistry because we are not just sisters but friends.

THE SUN: Is Madonna going to make a guest appearance in the film?

DUFF: Madonna is producing Material Girls through her company. She also produced Agent Cody Banks, but we haven't met her. We asked her to be in the music video Haylie and I are shooting but we don't have her reply yet.

THE SUN: Are you a fan of Madonna?

DUFF: Oh, definitely. I grew up listening to Madonna. It feels surreal getting to do a cover of Material Girl. It's such a great dance song.

THE SUN: You're planning a fall tour for your new album but it came out almost a year ago. Isn't that late for a tour?

DUFF: I try to fit my album tours between my films. What that has meant is that I end up touring quite a while after the albums actually come out. Now that we finished shooting Material Girls, I'm ready to tour.

Hilary Duff: I still have curfews and I still get grounded

Jan 13, 2005
 

 
WHAT IS it like to be the unpopular new kid in town?
Hilary Duff, 17, admits she doesn't have much experience in that regard. But in the teen drama "Raise Your Voice," her character goes through that and more in her quest to follow her dream of being a singer.
Hilary was approached for the starring role in "Raise Your Voice" before she cut her first album and after she finished her "Lizzie McGuire" movie. In "Raise Your Voice," she plays Terri.

Is it the nervous, raw energy that keeps you going?

I think so. The energy is addicting almost. Even though it's really hard work, I don't think you could do it unless you loved it. I love it, but it definitely keeps me going. A new place every night-doing this, doing that-it's crazy.

In "Raise Your Voice," you're playing the outsider. In real life, you've been a star a while. How do you get those feelings of not belonging to come out for an acting job?

It was hard. People have

been asking me today like what the most challenging part of the movie was, and it wasn't the crying scenes. I think that's much easier than trying to make people laugh. Crying on command is not that difficult. But the parts that were harder for me were after the tragedy happens to Terri in her life, it's kind of like just like a closed-off, numb feeling. She doesn't feel any emotion-no happiness, no sadness. She's kind of like nothing. That was the hardest thing for me.

And then going to the school and feeling like the outsider, I kind of learned how to do that a lot with Lizzie McGuire because she was the dork that didn't really fit in. And everybody kind of made Terri feel very unwelcome at the school at first.

Is your relationship with your mother similar to the relationship your character has with her mom in this movie?

My relationship with my mom is so amazing. We never got to have that stage that people go through, like when you're 13 and you think you're too cool for your parents, when you're embarrassed by them and stuff. We never went through that because I was constantly working and she constantly had to be there. We just became best friends. I tell her everything. She's really my role model and my inspiration. She's such a good person and such a strong person. A lot of people give her flak for being strong and being smart, but I think I envy that in her.

Did you have curfews growing up?

I still have curfews and sometimes I get grounded, which I is kind of weird to me.

For what reason?

Like if [my mom's] asked me to do something more than once or twice. I always get in trouble for not pulling my car into the garage, because if I don't pull my car in, her car won't fit. So I get in trouble for that, but it only lasts for a day. Usually it's an excuse so I'll stay home and hang out with her.

What time do you have to be in?

It all depends. It depends on where I am, it depends on what I'm doing. It depends on if I have to work the next day. She gives me a lot of freedom and I think that it must scare her, you know? Having me leave the house by myself, with my car. I don't take security around with me just because it's like I don't want that. I want to be able to be free. She has to have a lot of faith in me and trust in me to be able to do that, even though it must scare her. But she does. She gives me so much freedom. I can be home at 1 or 2 sometimes. And if I'm working the next day, I'll be really good and come home at 10.

You have good onscreen chemistry with Jason Ritter. What's your relationship with him?

I loved working with Jason. He's really good at making everybody laugh. He's really fun, really lighthearted on set. We really did have a good time together. We didn't get to work together that much, but I think it came across good onscreen. Kind of like the sneaky brother and sister relationship.

I think the scene in the car, even though it was really sad because he doesn't end up sticking around for long, was really fun. Singing together-I totally do stuff like that with my sister in the car.

Do boys approach you like Oliver James does in this movie, or is it more complicated because you're famous?

I hate that word -- the "f" word -- but I guess it's more complicated because of that. It's really sad. I don't have a boyfriend and I'm not dating anybody. I read that I'm dating new people all the time but I'm definitely not.

Like the singer from Good Charlotte.

Actually we're good friends. I like his band and everything. It really sucks that people say I'm dating this person, I'm dating this person... and make accusations that aren't true with my personal life. Then of course everybody has their opinion on what's right and wrong. It's hard some times, you know? I'm not dating him and I don't have a boyfriend.

I'd like to date someone normal but how am I supposed to date someone normal when I don't go to regular school, I'm never in town, and I'm always traveling? Nobody normal will ever come up and talk to me.

Why is the "feud" between you and Lindsay Lohan still big news to people?

I have a feeling that if I was a normal girl that went to a normal high school, the high school would probably talk about it for two days and then it would be over. But just because people know who I am and people know who she is, everybody loves to talk about it. I don't know her. I don't care. If you read all the interviews, I haven't said anything about it. I try and keep my mouth shut. That's all I can say.

How Hilary lives with fame

By Rebecca Murray
 

What’s it like to be the unpopular new kid in town? Hilary Duff admits she doesn’t have much experience in this regard. But in the teen drama Raise Your Voice, her character goes through that and more in her quest to follow her dream of being a singer.

The idea for Raise Your Voice came from New Line music executive Mitch Rotter. "We had wanted to do a truly music-driven film, something just short of a ‘sing at the drop of a hat’ musical, where the music was as much a part of the narrative as any of the other elements," says Rotter.

Hilary Duff was approached for the starring role before cutting her first album, and after finishing her Lizzie McGuire movie.

Producer Sara Risher feels the camera really loves Hilary and says, "She has such a dynamic screen presence and it was just very serendipitous that it all came together and we were able to cast her in this film." Once Hilary was onboard, the film, which had been stalled in the pre-production phase, began picking up speed.

Hilary talks about herself and her Raise Your Voice role:

Is it normal for you to have so many projects going on in one year?

You know what? It seems kind of normal now. I think there’s really no way to prepare yourself, to say, "Oh, I’ve got all this going on." You just do it. It’s like I want to be able to do all of these things, and I have to be really prepared to do it. It doesn’t really bother me, every day thinking I’m going to have to switch modes to singing or acting or traveling, or this, that and the other. You just kind of do it. It’s just kind of natural.

Is it the nervous, raw energy that keeps you going?

I think so. The energy is addicting, almost. Even though it’s really hard work, I don’t think you could do it unless you love it. I love it, but it definitely keeps me going. A new place every night – doing this, doing that – it’s crazy.

In Raise Your Voice, you’re playing the outsider. In real life, you’ve been a star for a while. How do you get those feelings of not belonging to come out for an acting job?

It was hard. People have been asking me what the most challenging part of the movie was, and it wasn’t the crying scenes. I think that’s much easier than trying to make people laugh. Crying on command is not that difficult.

But the parts that were harder for me were after the tragedy happens to Terri in her life, it’s kind of like just like a closed-off, numb feeling. She doesn’t feel any emotion – no happiness, no sadness. She’s kind of like nothing. That was the hardest thing for me.

And then going to school and feeling like the outsider, I kind of learned how to do that a lot with Lizzie McGuire because she was the dork who didn’t really fit in. And everybody kind of made Terri feel very unwelcome at the school at first.

Is your relationship with your mother similar to the relationship your character has with her mom in this movie?

My relationship with my mom is so amazing. We never got to that stage people go through, like when you’re 13 and you think you’re too cool for your parents, when you’re embarrassed by them and stuff.

We never went through that because I was constantly working and she constantly had to be there. We just became best friends. I tell her everything. She’s my role model and inspiration. She’s such a good, strong person. A lot of people give her flack for being strong and smart, but I think I envy that in her.

Did you have curfews growing up?

I still have curfews and sometimes I get grounded, which is kind of weird to me.

For what reason?

Like if (my mom) asked me to do something more than once or twice. I always get in trouble for not pulling my car into the garage, because if I don’t pull my car in, her car won’t fit. So I get in trouble for that, but it only lasts a day. Usually it’s an excuse so I’ll stay home and hang out with her (laughing).

What time do you have to be in?

It depends on where I am, it depends on what I’m doing. It depends if I have to work the next day. She gives me a lot of freedom and I think it must scare her, having me leave the house by myself, with my car. I don’t take security around with me. I don‘t want that.

I want to be free. My mom has to have a lot of faith and trust in me to do that, even though it must scare her.

But she does. She gives me so much freedom. I can be home at 1 a.m. or 2 a.m. sometimes. And if I’m working the next day, I’ll be really good and come home at 10 p.m.

How important is it to kids to pick up musical instruments ?

I think so much of that has gone away. So many schools are getting rid of music programs and it’s really sad because I know that when I started singing and stuff it was something I always wanted to do. I never believed in myself to be able to do it. I think it’s so important. It opens someone up and you’re able to learn about yourself. You feel you‘re worth something. When I got into music, I started feeling very motivated because I wanted to achieve this challenging thing. I think it‘s really important if it’s the piano or the guitar or the bass or drums or singing or anything. It’s so important to have music in your life.

Do boys approach you like Oliver James does in this movie, or is it more complicated because you’re famous?

I hate the ‘f’ word, but I guess it’s more complicated because of that. It’s sad. I don‘t have a boyfriend and I’m not dating anybody. I read that I’m dating new people all the time but I’m definitely not.

Q And A With Hilary Duff

Hilary Duff, star of the breakout Disney Channel program Lizzie McGuire, is, at 15, already a legitimate phenomenon. In addition to her acting, which has spanned stage and screen, Duff's single "I Can't Wait" from the Lizzie McGuire soundtrack went gold this year.
Interview by Stephanie Myers texasmonthly.com

A : How has your life changed since Lizzie McGuire?
Hilary Duff: My life has changed tremendously, mostly if I trip or spill something I am nervous everyone saw it! There is a lot of privilege as well as responsibility when you are on TV. I have met amazing people like Nelson Mandela and Steven Tyler but I live a very normal life. I do chores around the house and take care of my pets and go to school like all of my friends.

A : Being from Texas, do you feel that you have a different perspective on the show business industry? Why or why not?
Hilary Duff: I think being from Texas has really helped to make me not take Hollywood so seriously and given me the confidence that, if my phone stops ringing I can always go home again and be just Hil!

A: Do you consider yourself a role model?
Hilary Duff: I don't consider myself a role model but I have had kids and parents refer to me as that. I am only 15 and probably don't know enough about life to be a role model. My mom always tells me and my sister, "You know who you are looking up to but you never know who might be looking up to you." I think it is important to be responsible citizens and on that note, I am starting drivers' education—so look out!

A: Do you think there's a lack of positive female role models for young people in current society? How would you like to see that change?
Hilary Duff: I think where we are looking for our role models might be the problem. Entertainers and athletes are always graded on what kind of role model they are, and some are excellent role models, but the everyday person deserves that honor. 9/11 should have demonstrated that to us.

A: Who are your role models?
Hilary Duff: My role models are my sister Haylie. She is an amazing young woman with morals and values and inner strength that I see daily. My mom and dad have always lived what they teach. As far as famous people, I wish I could have met Princess Diana. I was privileged to meet Nelson Mandela and Mr. Kofi Annan, and I would like to meet President Bush.

A: You have a new single out that's already gone gold. What else would you like to do with music?
Hilary Duff: Can you believe me, with a gold record! This little record was never even sent to Top 40 stations; it has always been a Disney Radio phenomenon! It just shows that conservative art has a place, and that families are enjoying entertainment together. Well, I am working on a new CD which I hope will be Top 40, as well as keeping my Radio Disney base. It will be a little edgier but very appropriate.

A: What do you see yourself doing in ten years?
Hilary Duff: In ten years I hope to still be pursuing what makes me happy, whatever that is.

A: What's your proudest moment in life so far?
Hilary Duff: I am not sure I have had my proudest moment yet, but I have had many exciting ones. I was happy for our little show and soundtrack to be received so well by families. When we went to Rome and the UK, I was amazed that people are the same everywhere.

A: What advice do you have for those wanting to pursue a career in show business?
Hilary Duff: Never, never give up your dream. If you are a kid, have a family behind you all the way. Study your craft and respect those who have gone before you.

A: What's the best advice you've ever been given?
Hilary Duff: My friend and dialogue coach, Troy Rowland, tells me to always make my "no" my "no" and my "yes" my "yes." Live up to my commitments and give more than I expect to get!

A: What are your ultimate goals?
Hilary Duff: My ultimate goals are to always do my best, to be a good friend, to leave the world a better place, and to enjoy every second.

A: Anything else you'd like to add?
Hilary Duff: Yes, thank you for the privilege to be in my mom's favorite magazine! I am in great company.
(Special thanks to Alison Leslie for assistance with interview.)

I'm getting out of acting; I'm bored

October 06, 2004 -

Raise Your Voice may be a star vehicle for fledgling teen singing sensation Hilary Duff, but it's actor John Corbett who steals the show. In the film, Duff plays a midwestern girl who loses her passion for music after experiencing a family tragedy, and Corbett is the eccentric teacher who inspires her; ironically, the actor recently told IGN FilmForce that he himself is anything but inspired about his future prospects in Hollywood.
"I'm getting out of acting," Corbett said to a roomful of disappointed female journalists a few weeks ago. "I'm bored. I've been doing this for so long and I can't do this anymore. I've got one more movie to promote after this one and then it's 'Thank you, Jesus, I don't have to do this anymore.'" Corbett's departure from acting couldn't come as more of a surprise to most followers of Tinseltown's ebb-and-flow barometer of success and failure; after (temporarily) stealing Sarah Jessica Parker's Carrie Bradshaw away from Chris Noth's Mr. Big for a few seasons of Sex and the City, Corbett found time to pop up in a number of enormously successful romantic comedies, including Serendipity and the runaway hit My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Part of the problem, he insists, is that he can't seem to escape playing somebody's beau. "I'm sick of playing romantic leads," he says.

"I don't want to slam the cute and fun movies out there, but it gets old," he confesses. "I would love to be a movie with some guys, man. I mean, f***, I've been doing this for twenty years and I've never done a movie with dudes. Never. I've never done a picture with guys." When asked what kind of movies he had in mind, he replies, "Anything! Just some men. I don't care, man, just something with some guys, man. I want to work with some dudes." Postulating possible alternatives to his premature retirement, a few of the female journalists suggest that one of those 'dude' movies might be the antidote for his ambivalence to acting. "Unless that happens, man, I'm not ever working again. I'm just tired of it. I'm too old.
"I'm 43, I've been doing it for twenty years. I can't f***ing be in a hotel in Toronto for seven weeks any more, staring at the f***ing ceiling, and then leaving the hotel room to be on a set for like fifteen hours."

Suggesting further why he's ready to hang up the grease paint, he says that due to the poor quality of scripts that come his way, he was even initially reticent to take on Ms. Duff for Raise Your Voice. "I get offered movies probably twice a month and they are just generally bad," he explains. "I say no more times than I say yes because there's just a lot of s**t and I have to pick the best of what I'm offered. [When] my agent said 'it's a Hilary Duff movie' I was like 'Oh, that's great,'" he says with a laugh. "'We've got good news and bad news. The good news is you've got a movie. The bad news is it's a Hilary Duff movie.'"
Despite his initial hesitations, Corbett says he's satisfied with the end result. "I'm happy I'm in it," he says. "What changed my mind was I read five pages of it and just kept reading it and reading it and couldn't put it down. I thought, 'Wow, this is a great little movie.' And that was it."

Throughout the interview, Corbett colors his comments with enough expletives to make a sailor blush. When asked whether his penchant for profanity proved to be a problem on the set of Raise Your Voice, he said, "I got kicked out of school for saying 'f***' when I was in the fifth grade." Corbett goes on to indicate that any incidents where he made too-liberal use of the f-word did not involve the preternaturally mature Ms. Duff. "Not Hilary as much as some of the other kids. Hilary's pretty cool – she's a 40-year-old 16 year old. She's been around, and when I get hyped up, I do say 'f***' a lot.
"Yeah, they asked me to watch it, and I did," he finally confesses. "I'd forget some times. Around kids, you know, I got a ten-year-old god-kid, godson, and I'm always saying f*** and his dad's giving me the elbow. I'm like, 'Sorry, sorry.'"

 
 
Corbett says that Duff was a delight to work with. "She was great," he says. "I went and knocked on her door the first day I was working and she was sitting there with her mom. I went and hung out with her for like half an hour, and we became buddies." He admits that her performance in the film truly overpowers him – so much, in fact, that he begins to cry while he's remembering watching them. "She moved me in this movie. Even though I really don't want to be on sets any more, I still cried when I saw this movie because she has become a friend of mine. When I saw her being so raw and open – they got really good stuff on her – and when she started crying in this movie, I started crying. I feel like crying right now.
"The scene where she's with Rita, and Rita's folding those clothes – I'm crying right now thinking about it – you know, that just made me cry, man, you know when they were both so emotional and just f***ing out there for everybody out there to see. It didn't feel fake at all, like most scenes when somebody's crying."

For his own scenes, Corbett had a few unconventional demands for the filmmakers. The first request was for a particular prop that would signpost his character's eccentricities. He explains, "I asked Sean if I could have a bass that I could drop." Additionally, a previous experience juggling hairstyles unexpectedly provided a window of opportunity for him once the filmmakers asked him to don an unkempt rather than urbane appearance. "I said, 'I just want to wear leather pants,' and I actually wear a wig in the movie too," he reveals. "That's a wig – my hair was about an inch short."
Explains Corbett: "I was on My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and when I finished it, I went to do my second season of Sex and the City and I cut my hair really short. [Later], and we had to do some re-shoots, so they had to make an ,000 lace-front wig to match the hair in Big Fat Greek Wedding so I stole the wig when I was done. I still have it and I wore it in this movie."

Despite his trepidations working in Hollywood and tackling Hilary Duff, Corbett says that Raise Your Voice did ultimately raise his spirits, even if his future plans involve music more than acting. "It was a nice experience, don't get me wrong," he says. "When I'm there, and I'm working with nice people, it's a really nice experience. It was a really fun set. I think I've probably had two bad experiences ever where I couldn't wait to get off the set because I didn't like the people I was working with, but I've had really kind of great experiences doing it. I was a little rejuvenated working with these guys because my trailer was sort of far away from the set, so it wasn't easy to after a take sort of go back to my trailer and walk all of the way back.
"I just would hang out with these guys and there was a lot of instruments on the set so we would sit around and play. They were cool.

From "A Cinderella Story"

A : Do you believe in happily ever after?
Q : I don't know. I would like to. I'm only 16. I don't really know (laughing). I don't really know if I believe in that kind of stuff.

A : Are you searching for happily ever after?
Q : No, I'm not searching. I mean, I work a lot and I don't have time to think about that kind of thing. Maybe someday.

A : So right now, work is more of a priority than having a good personal life?
Q : No. Both things are very important to me. But I think that right now, I'm really focused on work and it's hard to kind of have a relationship and try and search for the perfect person in my life.

A : When there is someone special in your life, what sort of things do you like to do?
Q : Well, I'm kind of like ‘Sam’ in a way. You're very cautious and you don't want to put yourself out there to get yourself let down or hurt or something. But I guess if you really care about someone and they really care about you too, then you sometimes just go for it and let everything go. And have fun with it. It can be exciting.

A : Would you describe yourself as an ambitious person?
Q :Definitely.

A : How do you stay on top in such a competitive market?
Q : It is so competitive. There are so many great movies coming out every single day and like great projects. I don't know if I think about it as being competitive like, “I better get this. If I turn this down, so and so is going to take it.”
I don't really think about it too much. I have a really great team around me that helps me. Of course, sometimes I think, “Oh well, I should probably do this or that.” But it's really fun for me. Even though I do work my butt off, I still have a good time and try to not make it competitive.

A : Do you see your life as being a kind of fairy tale?
Q : Yes. I don't think that I necessarily relate to this story but definitely, I feel lucky, very lucky all the time. Why is this me and why do I get this? You know?

A : Are you ever torn between music and acting?
Q : Sometimes. They're such different feelings. When I'm on tour, I'm in a new city every single night, and the energy and the crowds and the kids and the screaming and them knowing every single word of my music and being onstage is such an energetic feeling with a big payoff. Working on a movie, things are a little more slower paced. But sometimes if I'm in the middle of touring, I'll be like, “Man, I really wish that I was working on a movie right now.” Or if I'm working on a movie, I'll be like, “Oh, I wish that I was touring right now.” I just love them both so much. It's hard to choose which is the best.

A : How about doing a musical film?
Q : Yeah. I would definitely do that. Actually, I have a movie that I just filmed called “Raise Your Voice” and I got to sing in that movie and perform.

A : Who is in “Raise Your Voice” with you?
A : It's with Rita Wilson and John Corbett and Oliver James and Rebecca DeMornay and it's about a young girl. It's actually very dramatic. I get to sing a little bit in the movie, but it's a different kind of thing. It's not like a musical.

A : Was there ever any talk of doing a more fantastic “Cinderella” and not setting it so much in the real world?
Q : No. There was never that. I feel like that there've been so many remakes of “Cinderella” and there's never really been like a modern day, high school version of it. I love that about it. I love that the characters are very different. Each character kind of had a twist to it, and especially Sam. Like, she was very ambitious. She was a very ambitious person and even though she was put down throughout the whole movie and torn down and told that she was nothing, she still had goals for herself and she had dreams that she'd accomplish herself. Then the boy came, which is great. But it's a good message for girls.

A : In real life, what’s the greatest thing about your friends?
Q : My friends are really great. And they're really supportive. I don't think that they really care anything about this stuff. I don't really have that many friends. I try and stick to a small group of people, and they go on tour with me and they come and travel with me and stuff like that. They know how hard it is for me to work sometimes and not just get to have that completely normal life.

A : What’s the big sacrifice of being Hilary Duff’s friend?
Q : I feel so bad sometimes when they're like, “Let’s go to the movies,” and I'm like, “It's Saturday, and it's 7:30pm and there's so many people at the movies right now.” Like going to my favorite restaurant, it can sometimes get hard. I just can't go to the mall. But they're so supportive and they understand.

A : How do you make yourself unrecognizable if you want to go to a movie?
Q : Basically, you can't. Like, I've tried everything. My hair really gives it away, too. But I'll put it all up in a baseball cap and pull it down low and I try not to wear like sunglasses because if you wear sunglasses, if you see someone who walks into the room with sunglasses, aren't you going to look at them and think, “Who's hiding under there?” So why would you do that?

A ; Can you talk about working with Jennifer Coolidge, who plays your larger-than-life step mom in this movie?
Q : I think that she's larger than life all of the time. She's so funny and I had a really hard time working with her actually because I couldn't keep a straight face. Everything that she did in this movie wasn't written. She is so creative and such an amazing actress. I was like, “How do you come up with these choices?” I love watching her. She's great.

A : What about working with Chad Michael Murray?
Q : Chad was great. He's very charming and very nice and a great actor. We've actually remained friends since the movie. He's in Australia right now working on another movie, but he's a great person.

A : You started performing so young. How did you ever get the idea you wanted to do this?
Q : Well, I think that I did my first commercial when I was about six years old. And I didn't really know if I wanted to do it yet. I have an older sister named Haley and she wanted to be an actress. So I wanted to be an actress. It's really funny the way that some people don't give kids enough credit for like really being driven, and really wanting to do things so badly. When I was six and I filmed that commercial, I just thought that it was fun and then I was kind of like, “Ah, whatever.” I went back to school for a little while and then when I was 10, I met this girl who was our neighbor and she was like, “You could get real movies and stuff like that.” I was like, “What?” Then I just begged my parents to come out here and do it. Then you just get this feeling of wanting to accomplish something, and auditioning and stuff like that. My parents just really supported it and my mom worked her butt off and sacrificed so much and we made it happen.

A : How often do you get to see your dad?
Q : Oh, I get to see him every three weeks. He'll come out to visit and he's going to come on tour a little bit this summer, but he has his job there. And we go back for all the main holidays. We keep a good, tight knit family even though it's kind of long distance.

A : How has your life and success been like a Cinderella story?
Q : My life really doesn't relate to the movie too much. I never really struggled at home with a bad family life or nothing too traumatic like that.

A : But are there similiarities?
Q : Definitely, for sure. I'm trying to think of a good answer to that. Definitely before I got my TV show, it was such a struggle. It was going on hundreds and hundreds of auditions and maybe not getting any callbacks. My mom prepared us really well for handling rejection and not taking it too seriously and stuff. But I feel very lucky and I feel very blessed.

A : When you were in school, did you have a terribly embarrassing moment like Sam does in this movie?
Q : No. I stopped going to school in the middle of fourth grade. Everyone grows up with the peer pressure, and kids being mean to each other in school. I think that's such a horrible thing, but I never really dealt with it in a high school way.

A : Were you homeschooled?
Q : I had a tutor for four years.

A : Can you talk about your new single with your sister?
I wanted to do something with my sister and we had a whole list of songs that we could do. Our favorite movie is “Romy & Michelle’s High School Reunion” and that was in that movie. So we were so excited about that. “Oh my God, we can do this song!” So we did it and it's also such a good message, talking about jealousy and how people are very negative and you can rise above it and stuff. We had so much fun shooting the video together, too.

A : Will you and your sister sing on stage together?
Q : She'll be doing songs to open the show and then I'll do my show, which is an hour and ten minutes. Then we'll come out and do the last song together.

A : Do you have other movie projects in the works?
Q : Yes. Let’s see: “Raise Your Voice” comes out and then “The Perfect Man” comes out and then the tour. Then there's just a couple of other things going on. “The Perfect Man” is with Heather Locklear.

A : Would you ever go back to “Lizzie McGuire?”
Q : No.

Hilary Duff Talks About "Raise Your Voice"

On Relationships, Singing, and Making Movies
What’s it like to be the unpopular new kid in town? Hilary Duff admits she doesn’t have much experience in that regard. But in the teen drama “Raise Your Voice,” her character goes through that and more in her quest to follow her dream of being a singer.

 The idea for "Raise Your Voice" came from New Line music executive Mitch Rotter. "We had wanted to do a truly music-driven film, something just short of a 'sing at the drop of a hat' musical, where the music was as much a part of the narrative as any of the other elements,” says Rotter. Hilary Duff was approached for the starring role in "Raise Your Voice" before cutting her first album, and after finishing her "Lizzie McGuire" movie. Producer Sara Risher feels the camera really loves Hilary and says, "She has such a dynamic screen presence and it was just very serendipitous that it all came together and we were able to cast her in this film." Once Hilary was onboard, the film, which had been stalled in the pre-production phase, began picking up speed.
Co-stars, including Oliver James, John Corbett, and Rita Wilson, were cast and filming began in January 2004. While filming, Duff had the difficult task of balancing her acting career with her singing career, but managed to handle both despite her seemingly non-stop schedule.

INTERVIEW WITH HILARY DUFF ('Terri'):

Is it normal for you to have so many projects going on in one year?
You know what? It seems kind of normal now. I think that there’s really no way to prepare yourself, to say, “Oh, I’ve got all this going on.” You just do it. It’s like I want to be able to do all of these things, and I have to be really prepared to do it. It doesn’t really bother me, every day thinking that I’m going to have to switch modes to singing or acting or traveling, or this, that and the other. You just kind of do it. It’s just kind of natural.

Is it the nervous, raw energy that keeps you going?
I think so. The energy is addicting almost. Even though it’s really hard work, I don’t think you could do it unless you loved it. I love it, but it definitely keeps me going. A new place every night – doing this, doing that – it’s crazy.

In “Raise Your Voice,” you’re playing the outsider. In real life, you’ve been a star a while. How do you get those feelings of not belonging to come out for an acting job?
It was hard. People have been asking me today like what the most challenging part of the movie was, and it wasn’t the crying scenes. I think that’s much easier than trying to make people laugh. Crying on command is not that difficult. But the parts that were harder for me were after the tragedy happens to Terri in her life, it’s kind of like just like a closed-off, numb feeling. She doesn’t feel any emotion – no happiness, no sad. She’s kind of like nothing. That was the hardest thing for me. And then going to the school and feeling like the outsider, I kind of learned how to do that a lot with Lizzie McGuire because she was the dork that didn’t really fit in. And everybody kind of made Terri feel very unwelcome at the school at first.

Do the singing scenes reflect your real process as far as what you go through to get to a certain point with your voice?
I think so. It’s a little more difficult in this movie because I was singing arias and stuff I never have to sing for the type of music that I sing. But there’s definitely times that I get that frustrated when I can’t sing something that I want to or I can’t hit a certain note that day. There’s definitely a process where I’m writing and I’m like, “This is stupid. Why did I write this? Let’s start from the beginning.” And I’ll end up throwing something away that I really did like, just because it didn’t sound that great that day. There’s definitely some challenging parts.

Are you active in lessoning to tapes or are your producers so good they find your material on their own?
On the second album I worked with a lot of people that I worked with on the Metamorphosis album. And when I worked on Metamorphosis I was so nervous and shy about going into the studio and working with people, they eventually toward the end made me feel so comfortable and so secure with myself. I loved working with them. I have a great relationship with them. I talk to them [all the time]. When we started talking about the second album, I was like, “I want to work with all the same people.” They knew what was going on in my life, what I was going through. I would call them and say, “I feel like this right now. I want a song about this…” I never really felt like I had enough time to write my whole album and I don’t know if I’m secure enough with myself to do that. But I wrote three songs on the album, one I wrote with my sister. It’s so personal and these people really got what I was going through and how I feel inside. I think that’s what makes it good and that’s what makes me relate to them.

Is your relationship with your mother similar to the relationship your character has with her mom in this movie?
My relationship with my mom is so amazing. We never got to have that stage that people go through, like when you’re 13 and you think you’re too cool for your parents. When you’re embarrassed by them and stuff. We never went through that because I was constantly working and she constantly had to be there. We just because best friends. I tell her everything. She’s really my role model and my inspiration. She’s such a good person and such a strong person. A lot of people give her flack for being strong and being smart, but I think I envy that in her.

Did you have curfews growing up?
I still have curfews and sometimes I get grounded, which I is kind of weird to me.

For what reason?
Like if [my mom's] asked me to do something more than once or twice. I always get in trouble for not pulling my car into the garage, because if I don’t pull my car in, her car won’t fit. So I get in trouble for that, but it only lasts for a day. Usually it’s an excuse so I’ll stay home and hang out with her (laughing).

What time do you have to be in?
It all depends. It depends on where I am, it depends on what I’m doing. It depends on if I have to work the next day. She gives me a lot of freedom and I think that it must scare her, you know? Having me leave the house by myself, with my car. I don’t take security around with me just because it’s like I don’t want that. I want to be able to be free. She has to have a lot of faith in me and trust in me to be able to do that, even though it must scare her. But she does. She gives me so much freedom. I can be home at 1 or 2 sometimes. And if I’m working the next day, I’ll be really good and come home at 10.

What did you learn from working with Rita Wilson?
So much. She’s amazing. Most of my scenes with her were more dramatic and literally she would take a breath and it would all come and show on her face. I would look at her and it would just make me start crying because she’s so talented and so beautiful, and such an inspiring person. [She’s] just really honest and really real, and I love that.

You have good onscreen chemistry with Jason Ritter. What’s your relationship with him?
I loved working with Jason. He’s really good at making everybody laugh. He’s really fun, really lighthearted on set. We really did have a good time together. We didn’t get to work together that much, but I think it came across good onscreen. Kind of like the sneaky brother and sister relationship. I think the scene in the car, even though it was really sad because he doesn’t end up sticking around for long, was really fun. Singing together – I totally do stuff like that with my sister in the car.

How important is it to kids to pick up musical instruments now?
I think so much of that has gone away. So many schools are getting rid of music programs and it’s really sad because I know that when I started singing and stuff it was something that I always wanted to do and I never believed in myself to be able to do it. I think it’s so important. It opens someone up and you’re able to learn about yourself. You feel worth something when you can learn how to do something that’s so… I know that when I got into music, I started feeling very motivated because I wanted to achieve this challenging thing. I think it’s really important if it’s the piano or the guitar or the bass or drums or singing or anything, it’s so important to have music in your life.

Do boys approach you like Oliver James does in this movie, or is it more complicated because you’re famous?
I hate that word – the ‘f’ word – but I guess it’s more complicated because of that. It’s really sad. I don’t have a boyfriend and I’m not dating anybody. I read that I’m dating new people all the time but I’m definitely not.

Like the singer from Good Charlotte.
Actually we’re good friends. I like his band and everything. It really sucks that people say I’m dating this person, I’m dating this person… and make accusations that aren’t true with my personal life. Then of course everybody has their opinion on what’s right and wrong. It’s hard some times, you know? I’m not dating him and I don’t have a boyfriend. I’d like to date someone normal but how am I supposed to date someone normal when I don’t go to regular school, I’m never in town, and I’m always traveling? Nobody normal will ever come up and talk to me.

Why is the ‘feud’ between you and Lindsay Lohan still big news to people?
I have a feeling that if I was a normal girl that went to a normal high school, the high school would probably talk about it for two days and then it would be over. But just because people know who I am and people know who she is, everybody loves to talk about it. I don’t know her. I don’t care. If you read all the interviews, I haven’t said anything about it. I try and keep my mouth shut. That’s all I can say.

Interviews with Cinderella and Her Wicked Stepmother

Hilary Duff showed up at the World Premiere of the teen romantic comedy, "A Cinderella Story," looking fresh and like a vision from a fairy tale (highly appropriate considering the movie's subject matter). Despite the heat, Duff did her best to satisfy the fans who lined the streets of Hollywood waiting for a chance to pose for a picture or get an autograph from one of today's hottest young stars.

Surrounded by "A Cinderella Story" cast members, including Jennifer Coolidge (Duff's wicked stepmother in the film), Hilary made her way down a sparkling pink carpet, pausing to answer questions from the press, before taking in a special screening of the modernized Cinderella tale.

INTERVIEW WITH HILARY DUFF ('Sam'):

Does attending movie premieres ever get any easier?
I’m really excited.

You always just get nervous like, “What if nobody likes it?” I’m really happy that people are supporting it and stuff.

What makes this take on the Cinderella tale special?
It has a lot in it for everyone. The characters are really cool and there’s twists in the movie that aren’t in any other Cinderella stories. My character is a very motivated girl who really goes after what she wants and I think that’s a good lesson.

Does kissing your onscreen love interest make you nervous?
I’m not sure if I was nervous. I kissed Frankie Muniz in “Agent Cody Banks” and it wasn’t quite as big of a kiss, but I think it was with more awkward than anything. There was a bleacher-full of people and like a 72 person crew. It was a little crazy but Chad [Michael Murray] made me feel really comfortable. And we just were kind of like, “Okay, we have to do this. Let’s just ignore everybody and have fun and go for it.” And that’s what we did and it worked.

And it’s not exactly a tough job to kiss Chad.
No, not bad at all. He’s okay (laughing).

What about an offscreen boyfriend? Anyone special at this time?
No, not really. I hear stories about myself all the time that I do, but I don’t think that’s true because I don’t know anything about it.

Is it tough hearing stories about yourself that aren't true and getting chased by the paparazzi wherever you go?
Definitely. It gets really hard. I can’t go to my favorite shopping places that I want to go to because they take pictures of me, which is fine. But then for them to like follow my car all day long and then for them to try and find out where I live and be waiting outside my house – it gets really hard sometimes and it’s really an invasion of privacy, you know? I get so little time off it’s tough.

We’ve all heard the Cinderella story before, but there is a strong message in this movie. Was getting a positive message out there for girls important to you?
I feel like it was really important. I read the script and I was really excited that it was really such a positive message and that every other Cinderella movie, the girl just kind of sits back and waits for everything to fall into place for her. In this one, she really goes out and even though she’s the underdog, she has dreams and she conquers them in the end. And I think that’s a good message for girls.

INTERVIEW WITH JENNIFER COOLIDGE ('Fiona'):

How much fun was it to play the wicked stepmom?
There was so much makeup involved that I had to be there so much earlier than everyone else. They had to put like blue eyes in and really there was like 5 inches of makeup on me – it was really unattractive. It was such a fun film to make and it was really easy. It was close to my house and it was a really short ride in the morning (laughing). I never get to play the mean lady, they never ask me to do that. I’m always like the fat best friend.

And next up you've got the "Friends" spinoff, "Joey." What's your role and how did you get involved with the series?
[I play] Joey’s new agent. I’m very excited. I love the cast and Matt LeBlanc’s just a doll. We all love him. I did it as kind of a guest star thing. They called me and said, “Just come in and play the scene,” and I didn’t really know what the character was or anything. It was just supposed to be a one-shot deal in the pilot and then it turned into more, which is really nice.

Interviews With Hilary Duff ( 1 )

A : What's the very latest?
Hilary Duff : We've been working on the show and now I have a break. I think I'm going to be doing a movie for Disney Channel called Cadet Kelly. You know the movie with Goldie Hawn called Private Benjamin? It's kind of like that, but for a 13-year-old girl. I have to do two weeks worth of training for it. It's really cool because they're going to send me back to Texas to do it. So I get to be in Houston and see my family and stuff. Then we'll be filming it in Toronto. You should come down to Toronto-we'll have a party! [Giggles]

A : What three things do you always have to have in your bag when you're traveling?
Hilary Duff : My makeup, my cellphone and money.

A : Is there anything going on with your rumored music career?
Hilary Duff : Um... a little bit. [Giggles] It's pop music, hopefully. When I'm more sure about it, I'll tell you more!

A : Are you still hanging out with Aaron?
Hilary Duff : [Giggles] I'm good friends with Aaron. We haven't talked in a long time, but he left some messages for me. I saw him at the Kids' Choice Awards and that's the last time I saw him.

A : Will you see Aaron's massive concert tour?
Hilary Duff : I was going to go to the one in Las Vegas, because my sister's group got tickets. But I'm not going to go--I'm going to be in Toronto. Hopefully that will be me next year. I hope so!

A : Lizzie McGuire is doing so well!
Hilary Duff : We were picked up for another 34 episodes next year. It's the most Disney'ss ever ordered from a show before. And in the fall, we're going to be going to ABC. Our reruns are going to be on ABC Saturday mornings.

A : Are there any fave episodes that sticks out in your mind?
Hilary Duff : A really good one called "Gordo and the Girl." It's really fun because Lalaine--who plays Miranda--and I follow him on a date. And Lalaine is dressed up like a boy, like we're going on a date. We run into this waiter and and it's this big disaster. All this spaghetti sauce gets all over us. It was so much fun! The spaghetti was the nastiest thing and it was freexing cold. Lalaine and I were, "Ahhh!" It was mushy with olives... so nasty. It took like an hour to get the spaghetti sauce out of my hair.

A : Do you come to New York often?
Hilary Duff : This is my fourth time here. I always dress in bright colors and everyone here wears black. Not everyone, but a lot of people. So I'm like, "Oh, my god--I am in hot pink!" and I'm like, "No! Hide!"
I like it, though. I like the shopping here. I found a really cute store here--I think it's in SoHo--called Mystique Boutique.
In Los Angeles, I like Bebe and I usually go to the teen section in Macy's. I like brands like XOXO and Guess.

A : Do you go on-line a lot?
Hilary Duff : It's kind of hard for me to go on-line because--I don't know how--everybody's got my screen name. People I don't know, all across the world. I feel so bad... I can't talk to everyone and then they get mad at me. And they're like, "I'm not going to watch the show anymore!"
I want to be able to talk to friends on-line on AOL and they just keep giving out my screen name. But if I want to look up something or go on websites and stuff, I just go on my dad's screen name... he doesn't even know how to turn on a computer. [Giggles]

A : Do you get recognized a lot?
Hilary Duff : I have a really crazy story! Bob's big boy Restaurant, I was there with my big sister and some of her friends, and Lalaine was with me. I went into the bathroom and these four girls followed me into the bathroom and had their ear up to my stall. Ewww! My sister walked in because she them go, "Oh, my God! That's Lizzie McGuire!" I didn't even know what was happening. My sister was like, "You're sick!" I was like, "Okay, listen to me pee, please!" [Giggle hysterically]

A : What's the best advice your mom has ever given you?
Hilary Duff : My mom is always like, "Follow your dreams, do whatever you want to do, because I'm going to help you. If you want to drop out of the business and go straight to school, i will be there." I'm sure if she had her choice, we'd be back in Texas and I'd be going to regular school.

A : Do you *want* to go college someday?
Hilary Duff : I like school because it's important to have an education but you can always go to collage later if you want to. [Glancing across room at Mom] I know I'm going to go!!!

Interviews With Hilary Duff ( 2 )

A : What was the funniest moment on the set of Cadet Kelly?
Hilary Duff : I'm in the middle of doing this scenewhere I'm practicing to try out for the corps and in the middle of doing a take I throw the gun up in the air. All of the extras in the movie had already been through school so they all knew how to do this stuff really well and I throw it up and it comes down and it clunks me on the head. I fell to the ground and I was like, "Whoa!" It was so embarrassing and everyone was laughing.
Another time we were in the barracks doing this scene and I was cleaning shoes so there was polish all over the floor. The team leaves and my friend is sitting in there with me doing the scene and I was supposed to pick up the gun and start trying to do tricks with it. I threw it up and I caught it, then I was supposed to do this victory dance. I'm doing it and there's shoe polish on the floor and I just completely busted my face. It was so embarrassing. [Laughs]

A : Were you all alone in Toronto?
Hilary Duff : My dialogue coach Troy came with me and my mom, who was pretty ready to leave because my sister was in LA and she missed her. But Troy and I got back to LA and were like, "I miss Toronto!"

A : How are you and your character alike?
Hilary Duff : I don't think we're that much alike because we were but then we weren't. She was a really outgoing person but she was kind of...a little weird and ditzy. Not weird, but different. She went to a performing arts school and she was just a free spirit and kind of out there. But she's a really cool girl, someone that you would become attached to.
It was cool in the movie because she goes to this school being this girl from New York who dressed really cool and was into fashion, and then she has to go to this school where everyone is in uniform and everyone did everything together the same time. She didn't know a place like that.

A : How was it different filming a movie from filming a TV show?
Hilary Duff : Movies take a lot more time to shoot. With the TV show we go really quickly because we have to get a whole show done in a week. In the movies, sometimes you'll only do one scene a day, where as I'm used to doing three scenes a day.

A : What was your favorite scene to shoot?
Hilary Duff : I think probably the one where I had to dangle off the side of a cliff... it was really fun! My dad had fallen while we were hiking so I got to go down this big mountain to go save him. It was really cool!

A : Were you scared doing that kind of a scene?
Hilary Duff : I was scared because to make the scene work they had to put this fake rock on half of the mountain and it was made out of Styrofoam stuff. It was really safe but if I put my foot on it, it would kind of wiggle a little bit. I kept thinking, "It's gonna fall, it's gonna fall!" But after that it was really cool. I got to do it a lot of times. I kept running back up there and they would say, "That was really good." But I'd already be at the top so they'd say, "I guess we'll do it again," because I wanted to keep doing it!

Interviews With Hilary Duff ( 3 )

A : How did you meet Aaron Carter?
Hilary Duff : When I first met Aaron, it was at his birthday party in December. And then he came and did an episode on Lizzie McGuire.

A : What did you think when you first met him?
Hilary Duff : I thought he was really cute and really nice. He was fun to hang out with.

A : So you're dating???
Hilary Duff : Yes...when he's in town, I see him. We go to movies a lot, we've been out to dinner. One of the times, we were at one of my director's Super Bowl parties. We went to his Super Bowl party and we went shopping.

A : Is he going to be on your show again?
Hilary Duff : Yeah, they just wrote another script for him. It's kind of like a Notting Hill. He comes back into town and he asks me out. I say no to him in the script and I feel so bad. I just think that our lives are too different. He's Aaron Carter---why would he want to date Lizzie McGuire? It's a pretty cute script.

A : Who else would you want to see guest star on the show?
Hilary Duff : There's so many great people! Justin Timberlake is pretty hot. [Laughs] And I like Britney Spears a lot.

A : Who are your favorite pop singers?
Hilary Duff : I like everything. I like 'N Sync, Backstreet Boys, Aaron, Britney, Christina Aguilera, Mandy Moore, 98 Degrees,, BBMak---everyone!!! And I'm so jealous because BBMak was on Even Stevens!

A : Would you ever want to get into the singing side of the business?
Hilary Duff : Would I? Well, actually, I'm taking singing lessons right now! I sing in the shower, in the car---everywhere. I think I want to do both!

A : How is it getting recognized a lot?
Hilary Duff : Kind of weird. There's people screaming, "Lizzie, Lizzie!" I'm like, "Are they talking about me?" It's really cool, because I've worked really hard to get to where I am right now. It's a little strange, but it's cool in a way, too.

A : So you know Frankie Muniz?
Hilary Duff : Yeah, Frankie is one of my really good friends.

A : Were you guys dating? Did Aaron take over for Frankie?
Hilary Duff : [Laughs] No comment! [Laughs]

Interviews With Hilary Duff ( 4 )

Where do you like to shop?
Filming in Canada, there's not that many places to shop. But I found this really great store called San Remo--that's where I shop. They have cute stuff. But when I'm in the States, I like Bebe a lot, I like Bisou Bisou, Nordstrom's, Guess?, XOXO--a lot of stuff! Anything on Melrose--that's the best place to go!

What's your favorite item or clothing in your closet right now?
I just bought this really awesome belt: it's like all of these chains and they have these huge rhinstone roses. It's really cool. I bought it in Canada.

Do you have any say in what you get to wear on Lizzie?
Yeah, actually I have a lot of say. When I was auditioning they kept saying, "Britney in new clothes, bring in new clothes." And I was like, "Oh, maybe they don't like what I'm wearing!" [Laughs] They said, "We really like your style." They let me go shopping and help pick out my wardrobe when I got it. So I go shopping with them to find the clothes when I have time.

Tell us about your movie, Cadet Kelly. How is the filming going?
It's really hot! But other than that, it's really fun because I've got to learn all of this stuff. I can toss a rifle and spin it--it's really cool. It's hot because we have to wear all of these hot outfits, you know? I feel like such a boy! [Giggles] I have my hair pulled back in a bun and we don't get to put any makeup on. It was good because we did this Disney promo for it and they dolled me up a lot, so I was excited.

Didn't you go through boot camp?
It wasn't like boot camp. It was like training for the guns and the marching--making sure I knew how to do everything right. I had to be covered in mud the other day! It was drying on my face. I was like, "I need moisturizer!"

What have been the best and most challenging aspects of filming this movie?
The most challenging part is the rifle drills because it's really hard, and when you do it outside it's so hot. But once I get it I feel so good about myself. I'm like, "Yes, I did it!" And then the best is that my role is so active and I'm very active person. We get to do the drills and the squad-team thing were we crawl into the wire and get all muddy. I have this really cool thing--I haven't done it yet, but I'm so excited!--where I hang onto this rope and I'm supposed to swing across to the other side. Then I fall into the water. I'm so excited!

What's your earliest memory of entertaining?
well, when we moved to San Antonio from Houston, we went to a performing arts school. We did a lot of plays and dances and stuff. My sister started doing it, so of course I had to start doing it--everything she doesn't I do! So it was probably dancing and singing at the school.
Hilary's mom: Remember the first commercial you did...?
Hilary: Oh, my God! I did this commercial when I was seven years old and it was for a cable company. It was the corniest thing I've ever seen in my whole life! This man is supposed to run in and he had this television on his head and he tells the family they've got cable. And I said, "Do we get Disney Channel?"

That's ironic!
I know!

Did you ever do anything when you were little that your parents are still talking about?
Oh, my gosh--I have this story that my mom tells everyone. When I was little, "time-out" did not work for me. I really wasn't a bad kid, but I used to talk back a lot when I was a little kid. If she would say something or if my sister would grab my arm and say, "Hilary--stop!" I would say, "It didn't hurt!" So my mom would try time-out and put me in my bedroom and later when she came in I was playing with all of my toys.
And then she put me in the bathroom, because there was nothing in the bathroom that I could play with. I started ripping at the wallpaper! But I wasn't a destructive kid--I really wasn't!
So she took me out and sat me in the hallway. My fingers were always busy. I was picking the stuff off the walls. So I went outside and was left alone!

What's something that people would be surprised to know about you?
Everyone probably already knows that I'm a total shopaholic. What's something that people would be surprised to know about me?
Hilary's mom: That you're a huge tomboy.
Hilary: No, I'm not! I'm not a tomboy! I love my makeup! That's not true! I'm not a tomboy! [Giggling]
Hilary's mom: You climb trees, you roller blade, you swim a mile...
Hilary: I'm a big kid at home with my sister. But I'm not a tomboy! How about... I grew up on a ranch! In San Antonio, Texas!

If you could ask anyone to guest star on Lizzie, who would you ask?
Drew Barrymore would be really cool!

How do you think your best friend would describe you?
Crazy! I'm always the one saying, "Let's go do it, let's go do it!" I'm the crazy one. But they always call me if they have a problem. Lalaine calls me a lot for stuff like that! And I'm a jokester.

How are you and "Lizzie" alike and how are you different?
I think we're totally alike in our clothes, makeup and hair--there's just a lot of things. But I think she's a little more insecure. She's kind of the shy one who steps back and lets everyone go forward. I'm not like that! [Laughs]

Interviews With Hilary Duff ( 5 )

A : Where do you like to shop?
Hilary Duff : Filming in Canada, there's not that many places to shop. But I found this really great store called San Remo--that's where I shop. They have cute stuff. But when I'm in the States, I like Bebe a lot, I like Bisou Bisou, Nordstrom's, Guess?, XOXO--a lot of stuff! Anything on Melrose--that's the best place to go!

A : What's your favorite item or clothing in your closet right now?
Hilary Duff : I just bought this really awesome belt: it's like all of these chains and they have these huge rhinstone roses. It's really cool. I bought it in Canada.

A : Do you have any say in what you get to wear on Lizzie?
Hilary Duff : Yeah, actually I have a lot of say. When I was auditioning they kept saying, "Britney in new clothes, bring in new clothes." And I was like, "Oh, maybe they don't like what I'm wearing!" [Laughs] They said, "We really like your style." They let me go shopping and help pick out my wardrobe when I got it. So I go shopping with them to find the clothes when I have time.

A : Tell us about your new movie, Cadet Kelly. How is the filming going?
Hilary Duff : It's really hot! But other than that, it's really fun because I've got to learn all of this stuff. I can toss a rifle and spin it--it's really cool. It's hot because we have to wear all of these hot outfits, you know? I feel like such a boy! [Giggles] I have my hair pulled back in a bun and we don't get to put any makeup on. It was good because we did this Disney promo for it and they dolled me up a lot, so I was excited.

A : Didn't you go through boot camp?
Hilary Duff : It wasn't like boot camp. It was like training for the guns and the marching--making sure I knew how to do everything right. I had to be covered in mud the other day! It was drying on my face. I was like, "I need moisturizer!"

A : What have been the best and most challenging aspects of filming this movie?
Hilary Duff :The most challenging part is the rifle drills because it's really hard, and when you do it outside it's so hot. But once I get it I feel so good about myself. I'm like, "Yes, I did it!" And then the best is that my role is so active and I'm very active person. We get to do the drills and the squad-team thing were we crawl into the wire and get all muddy. I have this really cool thing--I haven't done it yet, but I'm so excited!--where I hang onto this rope and I'm supposed to swing across to the other side. Then I fall into the water. I'm so excited!

A : What's your earliest memory of entertaining?
Hilary Duff : well, when we moved to San Antonio from Houston, we went to a performing arts school. We did a lot of plays and dances and stuff. My sister started doing it, so of course I had to start doing it--everything she doesn't I do! So it was probably dancing and singing at the school.
Hilary's mom: Remember the first commercial you did...?
Hilary Duff : Oh, my God! I did this commercial when I was seven years old and it was for a cable company. It was the corniest thing I've ever seen in my whole life! This man is supposed to run in and he had this television on his head and he tells the family they've got cable. And I said, "Do we get Disney Channel?"

A : That's ironic!
Hilary: I know!

A : Did you ever do anything when you were little that your parents are still talking about?
Hilary Duff : Oh, my gosh--I have this story that my mom tells everyone. When I was little, "time-out" did not work for me. I really wasn't a bad kid, but I used to talk back a lot when I was a little kid. If she would say something or if my sister would grab my arm and say, "Hilary--stop!" I would say, "It didn't hurt!" So my mom would try time-out and put me in my bedroom and later when she came in I was playing with all of my toys.
And then she put me in the bathroom, because there was nothing in the bathroom that I could play with. I started ripping at the wallpaper! But I wasn't a destructive kid--I really wasn't!
So she took me out and sat me in the hallway. My fingers were always busy. I was picking the stuff off the walls. So I went outside and was left alone!

A : What's something that people would be surprised to know about you?
Hilary Duff : Everyone probably already knows that I'm a total shopaholic. What's something that people would be surprised to know about me?

Hilary's mom: That you're a huge tomboy.
Hilary Duff : No, I'm not! I'm not a tomboy! I love my makeup! That's not true! I'm not a tomboy! [Giggling]
Hilary's mom: You climb trees, you roller blade, you swim a mile...
Hilary Duff : I'm a big kid at home with my sister. But I'm not a tomboy! How about... I grew up on a ranch! In San Antonio, Texas!

A : If you could ask anyone to guest star on Lizzie, who would you ask?
Hilary Duff : Drew Barrymore would be really cool!

A : How do you think your best friend would describe you?
Hilary Duff : Crazy! I'm always the one saying, "Let's go do it, let's go do it!" I'm the crazy one. But they always call me if they have a problem. Lalaine calls me a lot for stuff like that! And I'm a jokester.

A : How are you and "Lizzie" alike and how are you different?
Hilary Duff : I think we're totally alike in our clothes, makeup and hair--there's just a lot of things. But I think she's a little more insecure. She's kind of the shy one who steps back and lets everyone go forward. I'm not like that! [Laughs]