Life after Lizzie - Hangin With - Hilary Duff

Girls' Life, August-Sept, 2003 by Jodi Bryson

Hilary Inc.?

Hilary as so much going on that some old guy in a meeting recently referred to her as a "corporation," which Ms. Duff didn't appreciate: "I've never thought of myself as a 'product' or 'industry,' but when I heard that, it freaked me out a bit." That old fart in the meeting was rude, but not entirely wrong. Hilary the Star is what the world calls a "brand" now, kinda like how Britney is a brand with all her T-shirts and dolls and whatever else you can find to buy with Britney's name on the label.

Stuff by Hilary Duff will be on racks early 2004. Cheaper By the Dozen hits theaters around the holidays. And, as you read this, she's working on another feature film A Cinderella Story, which is set in modern times. Hilary plays an unpopular girl who becomes popular because the hottest guy in school digs her. "It's a character I've never played. She's Plain Jane," Hilary says. "It's not about Cinderella; it's like Cinderella. It's about high school and cliques and boyfriends and popularity."

But without comparison, it's the CD Metamorphosis that has Hilary's immediate attention and the reason she's on the cover of this magazine. "I'm excited about my album because it's not characters I'm playing, it's me. It's more personal than acting," Hilary says passionately. "The album was so cool to record because all the songs have so much to do with my personal life. I didn't write the songs but I collaborated on all of them. Metamorphosis is actually about getting over a boy."

Hils spills

Boy? Aaron Carter maybe? We heard a rumor that the very pretty couple had a wicked fight and broke up. "The song's not about Aaron," Hilary states with conviction. "I just want to say one thing: Me and Aaron, OK...It's cool when he comes to L.A. because we get to see each other. But when he's not in town, we talk on the phone." So it's on. They're together.

Despite whatever dumb headlines the gossip tabloids like to print about them, Hilary and Aaron get along. "Oh, the press..." says Hilary with another long sigh. "We have to be so careful because we're teenagers and stuff happens, like breaking up and getting back together. It's like any normal teenage relationship. Aaron is such a cool guy. He makes me laugh."

Hilary went silent when we asked if she and Aaron kiss a lot. But she was open about other details of her personal life, like how she swims when she feels blue and likes sushi and always wears shoes with heels. Did we mention she likes all the Chicken Soup for the Soul books? She does: "I'll be reading one of those, and I'll either laugh hysterically or start bawling."

See how she is? Since it seems everyone in the free world wants to talk to her, we asked what question she gets most but hopes never to hear again. "Are you anything like Lizzie?" she told us. Truth is, Hilary's cooler. Soon, even the most adoring fans will be asking, "Lizzie who?"

Win it!

Hilary wants to give you a signed copy of her new album and her new DVD for free! Log on to www.girlslife.com for details.