Hilary Duff says the wave of recent documentaries exposing the darker side of child stardom has stirred up painful emotions, admitting they leave her feeling “really quite sad.” The 38‑year‑old actress, who became a global sensation in the early 2000s through Lizzie McGuire before moving into films like A Cinderella Story and a successful music career, reflected on the renewed scrutiny surrounding children’s television.
Speaking at the Time100 Summit in conversation with Dan Macsai, Duff addressed the impact of projects such as Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV and Framing Britney Spears, which have reignited conversations about exploitation, pressure and the long‑term effects of early fame. “It’s such a long time ago, but it’s an out‑of‑body experience,” she said. “I think I feel really quite sad when I watch a lot of those documentaries for obvious reasons.”
Her comments come as the entertainment industry continues to debate how best to protect young performers and confront the culture that shaped so many childhood stars. Duff, who later found success on shows like Younger, said she considers herself fortunate compared with some of her peers.
“I feel very grateful that I wasn’t put in too many positions that left battle wounds on me,” she said, noting that she has been working steadily since the age of nine.
As Hollywood reckons with its past, Duff’s reflections highlight both the resilience required to survive early fame and the urgent need for stronger safeguards for the next generation.
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