Honestly, if you grew up in the early 2000s, there is one specific sequence of notes that can instantly teleport you back to a time of butterfly clips and chunky highlights. It’s that sparkly, synth-pop opening. The moment Hilary Duff, rocking a silver jumpsuit that we all collectively agreed was the height of fashion, steps onto a stage in Rome and belts out, "Hey now, hey now!"
What Dreams Are Made Of isn't just a song from a Disney movie. It’s a cultural touchstone. It represents that specific brand of "wish fulfillment" that Disney mastered before everything became gritty reboots and multiverse collapses. But looking back at it now, there's a lot about that song—and the finale of The Lizzie McGuire Movie—that’s actually kind of wild when you dive into the facts.
The Secret Vocal Double
Here is something that usually blows people’s minds: Hilary Duff didn’t sing the whole thing. Or, more accurately, she didn't sing every version of the character.
In the movie, Hilary plays two roles: our girl Lizzie and the Italian pop star Isabella Parigi. While Hilary is obviously the voice of Lizzie, the "Isabella" singing voice was actually provided by Hilary’s real-life sister, Haylie Duff.
If you go back and listen to the "ballad" version of the song—the one where Isabella and Lizzie are supposedly "singing together"—the vocal textures are totally different. Haylie has a bit more of a raspy, mature tone. It was a clever way to make the two characters sound distinct, even though they had the same face.
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Even weirder? In a 2025 interview, Hilary Duff admitted she basically has zero memory of recording the song. She was only 14 or 15 at the time, and her life was such a whirlwind of filming in Rome and Vancouver that the actual studio sessions are just a blur. Imagine recording one of the most iconic pop songs of a generation and just... forgetting you did it.
Behind the Scenes of the Roman "Magic"
While the movie makes it look like Lizzie is living her best life in Italy, the reality of production was a bit more grounded. Yes, they did film at the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps, but that massive "International Music Awards" performance?
That wasn't in Rome.
The interior shots of the rehearsal hall and the big stage performance were actually filmed in Vancouver, Canada. Specifically, they used the Orpheum Theatre. It’s funny how movie magic works—you can be in British Columbia one day and "Rome" the next just by changing the lighting and adding a few thousand screaming extras.
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Who Actually Wrote It?
The song was written by Dean Pitchford and Matthew Wilder. If those names sound familiar, it's because they are industry heavyweights. Pitchford wrote Footloose, and Wilder is the guy behind the '80s classic "Break My Stride" (and he also wrote the music for Disney’s Mulan).
This is why the song actually holds up. It wasn't just a throwaway "tween" track; it was crafted by people who knew how to write a hook that stays in your brain for twenty-plus years.
The Soundtrack Was a Massive Juggernaut
We tend to forget just how huge Disney soundtracks were before streaming took over. The Lizzie McGuire Movie soundtrack didn't just sell a few copies to die-hard fans. It was certified 2x Multi-Platinum by the RIAA. That means over two million physical copies were sold in the U.S. alone.
It wasn't just "What Dreams Are Made Of" carrying the weight, either. You had:
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- "Why Not" by Hilary Duff (the actual lead single for her solo career).
- "The Tide Is High" by Atomic Kitten.
- That random cover of "Volare" by Vitamin C.
It was the ultimate 2003 time capsule. For many of us, it was the first CD we ever owned.
Why It Still Matters in 2026
You might wonder why we’re still talking about a song from a movie released in 2003. It’s because the song has evolved into a symbol of "Main Character Energy."
During the SAG-AFTRA strikes in 2023, a video went viral of Hilary Duff singing "What Dreams Are Made Of" on the picket line with her How I Met Your Father co-star Francia Raisa. The internet lost its mind. Why? Because for Gen Z and Millennials, that song represents the idea that a "normal" girl—someone who trips over her own feet and gets embarrassed by her parents—can actually achieve something spectacular.
It’s also surprisingly "poetic" in its simplicity. The lyrics are about finding the courage to be yourself in a world that wants you to be someone else (or, in Lizzie's case, an Italian pop star named Isabella).
What to Do With This Nostalgia
If you’re feeling the urge to revisit this era, don't just stop at the song. There are a few ways to really dive back into the Lizzie-verse:
- Listen to the "Ballad" vs. the "Finale" version: Try to spot the difference between Hilary and Haylie’s vocals. Once you hear it, you can’t unhear it.
- Check out the filming locations: If you ever find yourself in Rome, visit the Vicolo del Cinque. That’s the street where the fictional Hotel Cambini was located. It’s a great spot for a photo op that isn't as crowded as the Trevi Fountain.
- Track down the "Mature" single: Hilary Duff recently returned to music (finally!) with a single called "Mature" in late 2025. It’s a fascinating look at how her voice has changed since those Disney days.
The Lizzie McGuire era might be over, but the idea that "this is what dreams are made of" is pretty much evergreen. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most "hey now" moments in life come from the most unexpected places.