Hilary Duff came to the defense of her mother and former manager, Susan Duff, on Monday, March 16, 2026, insisting she was "never pushed" into acting and describing their close working relationship as largely positive, despite recent resurfaced comments from her former costar Frankie Muniz labeling Susan "super intense" and the "epitome of a stage mom."

Hilary Duff

In an exclusive interview with People magazine, Duff addressed the long-standing tension stemming from Muniz's October 2025 podcast appearance, where he detailed how Susan's involvement during the casting and production of their 2003 film "Agent Cody Banks" strained — and ultimately ended — his friendship with Duff.

"I was never pushed into acting," Duff said firmly. "My mom was my manager, and it was nice having her at work — for better or for worse. She was supportive, and I loved having that security."

The comments mark Duff's first public response to Muniz's remarks, which gained renewed attention in recent weeks amid ongoing discussions about child stardom and parental involvement in Hollywood. Duff emphasized that her entry into the industry felt organic and driven by her own interests.

Susan Duff, who managed both Hilary and her older sister Haylie's careers, moved the family from Texas to California when Hilary was 6 to pursue show business opportunities. Hilary's breakthrough came with the Disney Channel series "Lizzie McGuire" in 2001, followed by the "Agent Cody Banks" spy comedy, where she starred opposite Muniz.

Muniz, now 40, recounted on "The Joe Vulpis Podcast" last fall that he and Duff had been close friends during their early Hollywood days. He described Duff as "so cool" and said they had "an awesome relationship." However, he claimed Susan interfered when he casually mentioned the "Agent Cody Banks" audition to her while visiting Duff's dressing room on the "Lizzie McGuire" set.

Muniz said Susan aggressively pursued the role for her daughter, contacting casting directors and pushing for Hilary's involvement. He called her actions overstepping and "intense," attributing the fallout to that incident.

"I look back at it now, and I go like: 'What a dumb...' I regret not just continuing to be friends with her," Muniz said in the podcast. "We were friends. We had a great friendship for such a long time. And I let her mom... It pissed me off."

He added that he hasn't spoken to Duff since the last day of filming "Agent Cody Banks" in 2002, a silence spanning more than two decades. "I've never talked to Hilary since the last day of filming. I've not said one word to her since then."

Muniz expressed regret over allowing the situation to sever their bond, noting he would "love to catch up" and discuss it openly, believing Duff may be unaware of the full details.

Duff's defense arrives as she reflects on her own experiences as a child actor and now as a mother of four. In the People interview, she highlighted the balance of having family involved in her professional life, acknowledging it wasn't always perfect but rejecting the notion of coercion.

"My mom believed in me, and that meant a lot," Duff said. "I chose this path, and she helped guide it. There were tough moments, sure, but I don't look back with resentment."

The exchange revives conversations about stage parents in entertainment, a topic that has drawn scrutiny in recent years with accounts from former child stars about pressure, boundaries and long-term impacts. Muniz, who stepped away from acting for years to pursue racing and other interests before returning, has spoken candidly about his own industry's challenges, including advising his son against entering show business.

Duff, 38, has maintained a steady career trajectory, transitioning from teen idol to actress, singer, entrepreneur and reality TV personality. She recently starred in projects and continues to release music, with her holiday hits and classic tracks remaining popular.

Neither Duff nor Muniz indicated plans for a public reconciliation, though Muniz's expressed desire to reconnect leaves the door open. Representatives for both declined further comment beyond the published interviews.

The resurfacing of the decades-old anecdote underscores how past Hollywood experiences continue to shape public perceptions of child stardom. For Duff, the moment served as an opportunity to affirm her agency in her career and credit her mother's role without apology.

As Duff promotes ongoing ventures and family life, her measured response highlights a nuanced view of the support system that propelled her to fame — one she views as protective rather than overbearing.