Hilary Duff Opens Up About Estranged Relationship With Sister Haylie

The singer discusses the "complicated" dynamics with her family members, including her sister and father, in new album

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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In a new interview, Hilary Duff spoke candidly about the estrangement from her sister Haylie Duff and her father Bob Duff, revealing that she has written songs about the complex family relationships on her upcoming album "luck...or something." Duff explained that just because someone is born into a family, it doesn't mean the family will always stay together, and she has had to navigate "a very complicated life" with her parents' own marital issues. The singer addressed the rift with Haylie in the song "We Don't Talk," while "The Optimist" touches on her fractured relationship with her father.

Why it matters

Hilary Duff's openness about her strained family ties provides a rare glimpse into the personal life of a high-profile celebrity, highlighting how even those in the public eye can struggle with complicated family dynamics. Her decision to address these issues through her music also underscores the therapeutic and cathartic power of artistic expression.

The details

In the Glamour interview, Hilary Duff explained that she felt "ready" to share more about her personal life, including the "very complicated" relationships with her family members. She noted that the people who "affect you the most" are often those you are born into a family with, even if that family doesn't stay together. Duff wrote two songs on her new album that directly address her estrangement from her sister Haylie and her father Bob. "We Don't Talk" seemingly references the rift with Haylie, while "The Optimist" touches on Duff's wish for her father's love. The sisters have not been pictured together since 2019, and their social media interactions have waned in recent years, fueling speculation of a feud. Duff's father Bob has also had a contentious history, including a jail sentence for contempt of court during his divorce from Duff's mother Susan.

  • Hilary Duff's new album "luck...or something" is set to be released on February 20, 2026.
  • Hilary Duff's last public appearance with her sister Haylie was in 2019.
  • In January 2026, Haylie Duff liked a social media post by fellow Disney alum Ashley Tisdale about leaving a "toxic mom group," which sparked more rumors of a rift between the sisters.

The players

Hilary Duff

A 38-year-old American actress and singer, best known for her role as the title character in the Disney Channel series Lizzie McGuire.

Haylie Duff

Hilary Duff's 40-year-old sister, also an actress and singer.

Bob Duff

Hilary and Haylie Duff's father, who was previously sentenced to jail time for contempt of court during his divorce from the sisters' mother.

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What they’re saying

“That's my family. Those are the people that affect you the most, take up the most space naturally as a human who's born into something. Just because you're born into a family doesn't mean that it always stays together.”

— Hilary Duff (Glamour)

“I'm not sure when it happened, not even sure what it was about / If I did something different, would you feel something different? Would you at least let me hear you out?”

— Hilary Duff, Singer (Lyrics from her song "We Don't Talk")

“I wish I could sleep on planes, and that my father would really love me.”

— Hilary Duff, Singer (Lyrics from her song "The Optimist")

The takeaway

Hilary Duff's openness about her estranged relationships with her sister and father highlights how even high-profile celebrities can struggle with complex family dynamics. Her decision to address these personal issues through her music underscores the therapeutic power of artistic expression and provides fans a deeper understanding of the person behind the public persona.