If you grew up in the early 2000s, the Duff sisters were basically royalty. You probably had a Metamorphosis CD on repeat or watched Material Girls until the DVD was scratched. They were the "it" girls before the term got exhausted. But lately? Things feel different.
Honestly, if you look at their social media or public appearances over the last couple of years, it’s like watching two separate lives that used to be one. Hilary is dominating the streaming world and prepping for a massive musical comeback in 2026. Haylie has pivoted into a Texas-based lifestyle guru and holiday movie queen.
People are constantly asking: are they still close? Or did that rumored "sibling rivalry" actually turn into a full-blown rift? It's complicated.
Hilary Duff: The 2026 Comeback Nobody Saw Coming
Hilary is currently 38, and she's busier than ever. After How I Met Your Father was abruptly canceled by Hulu in 2023—leaving us all hanging on who the dad actually was—she didn't just sit around. She’s currently filming a brand-new Hulu series called Pretty Ugly.
It’s dark. Like, way darker than anything she’s done.
She plays Miranda Miller, an obsessive pageant mom. It's a far cry from the bubbly Sophie or the iconic Lizzie McGuire. But the biggest news? The music.
Small Rooms, Big Nerves
After a decade-long hiatus from the recording studio, Hilary officially signed with Atlantic Records in late 2025. She just dropped a single called "Mature" in November, followed by "Roommates" in January 2026. Her husband, Matthew Koma, co-wrote them, and honestly, they hit deep.
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She’s even hitting the road. The "Small Rooms, Big Nerves" tour kicks off this month in London. It’s a mini-tour—just London, Toronto, Brooklyn, and LA. She admitted on Instagram she’s "a tiny bit nervous" to be back on stage after 17 years since her Dignity tour.
She’s also filming a docuseries directed by Sam Wrench (the guy who did Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour film). It’s titled Because That’s What Dreams Are Made Of. It’s going to show the raw side of her balancing four kids—Luca, Banks, Mae, and baby Townes Meadow—with the chaos of a global comeback.
Haylie Duff: The Queen of the "Real Girl" Lifestyle
While Hilary stayed in the Hollywood spotlight, Haylie took a different path. She basically invented the "celebrity food blogger" lane before it was cool with The Real Girl's Kitchen.
Haylie moved her family to Austin, Texas, a few years back. She’s been with her fiancé, Matt Rosenberg, since 2014. They have two daughters, Ryan and Lulu.
She hasn't quit acting, though. She’s found a massive niche in TV movies.
- The Baby Pact (2021)
- Blending Christmas (2021)
- Sweet on You (2023)
- Pretty Hurts (coming in 2025/2026)
She seems happy. But the distance—both physical and emotional—between her and Hilary has fans worried.
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The Rumored Feud: Fact vs. Fiction
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Why haven't they been seen together in years?
The last time they were publicly photographed together was way back in 2019. For two sisters who used to be inseparable, that’s a lifetime.
What the fans are saying
Internet sleuths have pointed out that they rarely interact on Instagram anymore. When Hilary announced her new music or her fourth pregnancy, Haylie was noticeably silent.
Some rumors suggest a political divide. Haylie’s move to Texas and her social circle there are reportedly more conservative than Hilary’s liberal LA lifestyle. Others think it’s a clash between their husbands. Matthew Koma is known for being... vocal. Just look at his recent Instagram parody of Ashley Tisdale’s The Cut interview, where he poked fun at "toxic mom groups."
Hilary actually addressed the "family drama" rumors in late 2025. She didn't confirm a fight, but she did say her new music explores "trying to find yourself in adulthood" and "dealing with family drama." It was vague, but it was enough to let us know things aren't perfect.
The Financial Side of the Duff Empire
They’ve both built impressive bank accounts, but Hilary’s Disney-era earnings still carry a lot of weight.
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- Hilary Duff's Net Worth: Estimated at $25 million. She was making $15,000 per episode of Lizzie McGuire as a kid, plus millions from movies like A Cinderella Story and Cheaper by the Dozen.
- Haylie Duff's Business: While her acting paychecks for TV movies are smaller, her "Real Girl's Kitchen" brand, cookbooks, and kitchenware lines have been steady earners.
Why They Still Matter in 2026
The reason we still care is because they represent a specific kind of nostalgia that hasn't soured. Unlike some child stars who spiraled, the Duffs always seemed like "normal" girls who just happened to be famous.
They navigated the brutal 2000s tabloid culture—remember the whole "Hilary vs. Lindsay Lohan" drama?—and came out the other side as successful businesswomen and mothers.
Even if they are currently "in a season" of distance, their impact on pop culture is permanent.
What to expect next
If you're a fan, keep an eye on Hilary’s new series Pretty Ugly on Hulu. It’s likely to be her most critically acclaimed work yet because it’s such a departure from her usual brand. For Haylie, her lifestyle content continues to grow, and she’s becoming a staple of the Texas social scene.
If you want to catch up on the Duff legacy, here is what you should do:
- Listen to Hilary’s new singles "Mature" and "Roommates" to hear the 2026 version of her sound.
- Watch Younger on Paramount+ if you missed it—it’s arguably her best performance to date.
- Follow Haylie’s Real Girl's Kitchen for recipes if you're looking for that cozy, Austin vibe.
- Look out for the Because That’s What Dreams Are Made Of docuseries later this year for the definitive answer on their sisterhood.