They were the ultimate "it" duo of the early 2000s. Honestly, if you didn't have a Material Girls poster or at least one Duff sister track on your iPod, were you even there?
For years, Haylie Duff and Hilary Duff were the blueprint for sibling goals in Hollywood. They recorded songs together. They starred in movies together. Their mom, Susan, was the quintessential "momager" steering the ship. But lately? Things look a lot different. If you’ve been scrolling through Instagram or catching the latest headlines in early 2026, you’ve probably noticed the silence.
It’s loud.
The "Toxic Mom Group" Drama and the Public Rift
Let’s get into the messy stuff first, because that’s what everyone is talking about right now. In January 2026, the internet basically imploded when Ashley Tisdale dropped a viral essay about breaking up with her "toxic mom group." It was raw. She talked about being iced out by a circle of famous moms she thought were her best friends.
The connection? Fans quickly pointed out that Hilary Duff and Mandy Moore were the core of that specific circle.
Then, Haylie Duff did the unthinkable. She "liked" a post supporting Ashley’s essay.
It sounds like minor social media fluff, but in the world of celebrity optics, that’s a tactical nuke. It was the first time we saw a public crack in the sisterly united front. For a long time, rumors swirled that Haylie and her fiancé, Matt Rosenberg, didn't exactly vibe with Hilary’s husband, Matthew Koma. Koma is known for being... well, blunt. He even trolled the drama by mocking self-obsessed people on social media, which only made things more awkward.
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By late 2025, Hilary was already hinting at "family drama" in interviews. She told Rolling Stone she was finally ready to "fill in the blanks" about her life, including the complicated stuff. It’s a far cry from the days when they were inseparable on the red carpet.
Hilary Duff’s Big 2026 Music Comeback
While the family stuff is heavy, Hilary is currently in the middle of a massive career pivot. After a decade-long hiatus from music, she’s back.
She just released her new single "Mature" and is prepping for her 2026 album, luck... or something.
It’s not the bubblegum pop of "So Yesterday." Not even close. It’s moody, adult, and kinda heartbreaking. Her latest track "Roommates" is literally about the exhaustion of long-term marriage—how you can live with someone for years and suddenly realize you’ve just become "roommates" between carpools and grocery runs.
- The Tour: She’s currently doing the "Small Rooms, Big Nerves" tour.
- The Docuseries: There’s a project in the works directed by Sam Wrench (who did Taylor Swift's Eras Tour film) following her return to the studio.
- The Label: She’s now with Atlantic Records, moving away from her Disney-adjacent past.
It’s weird seeing Lizzie McGuire sing about domestic burnout, but it’s also incredibly relatable for the fans who grew up with her. We’re all tired now, Hilary. We get it.
Where is Haylie Duff Now?
While Hilary stayed in the Hollywood pressure cooker, Haylie kinda... left. Well, she left Los Angeles, anyway.
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During the pandemic, Haylie packed up and moved back to Texas. She’s been vocal about how L.A. felt like it was "closing in" on her. Now, she’s living the "Real Girl’s Kitchen" life for real. She’s raising her two daughters near her dad and focusing on her lifestyle brands, like Little Moon Society.
She still acts, mostly in those cozy TV movies that people love to binge during the holidays, but her priorities shifted. She seems more interested in Barton Springs and fresh air than red carpets. This distance—both physical and lifestyle-wise—is likely why the sisters haven't been seen together in public since 2019.
Haylie has always been the protector, the songwriter behind the scenes, and the one who didn't mind being the "older sister" while Hilary took the spotlight. Seeing her distance herself from Hilary’s current "mom squad" drama feels like a woman who is just over the Hollywood high school vibe.
The Matthew Koma Factor
We have to talk about Matthew Koma. Honestly, he’s a polarizing figure in the Duff-verse.
He is an incredible musician and a devoted dad, but his online persona is... spicy. Whether he's getting banned from Twitter for parodying Elon Musk or calling out "toxic" behavior in the industry, he doesn't hold back.
Some reports suggest that his "no-filter" attitude is what caused the friction with Haylie’s side of the family. If you’ve ever had a sibling-in-law you just couldn't stand, you know how quickly that can tank a family dinner. When you add the pressure of being global superstars, it’s a miracle they stayed close as long as they did.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Duffs
People love a "feud" narrative. It sells. But the reality is probably more boring and more human.
Hilary is in a phase of her life where she is reclaiming her identity as an artist. She’s working with her husband, she’s in the thick of the L.A. celebrity mom scene, and she’s under a microscope.
Haylie is in a phase of quiet. She’s in Texas. She’s religious. She’s focused on a different kind of "normal."
Sometimes sisters don't "fight." They just drift. They stop having the same things to talk about. When you’ve been a "brand" together since you were toddlers, maybe the most radical thing you can do is just be two separate people for a while.
What to Watch for in 2026
If you want to keep up with where the Duff sisters are headed, keep an eye on these specific moves:
- Hilary’s Album Launch: luck... or something drops on February 20. This will be the definitive look into her headspace regarding her marriage and her family.
- The Documentary Release: The Sam Wrench doc will likely address the "family drama" Hilary hinted at. It's expected to stream late this year.
- Haylie’s Social Footprint: Watch for any "likes" or comments on Texas-based projects or "Real Girl" updates. She’s likely to stay out of the music fray entirely.
- The Reconnection: Often, these public rifts in families like the Duffs end with a quiet photo on a holiday. If a Thanksgiving 2026 photo appears with both sisters, the "Toxic Mom Group" era is officially over.
The best way to support them? Listen to the music, cook the recipes, and remember that even "perfect" celebrity sisters are allowed to have a messy year.