- 13 minutes ago
Hilary Duff opens up to Billboard’s Lindsay Havens about returning to the stage after nearly 20 years, the overwhelming fan response to her Lucky Me Tour, and the moment her son told her, “I’m proud of you, Mom.” She also reflects on touring with her family, overcoming pre-show nerves, and why she’s ready to bring the tour back for more dates in 2027.
The 2026 Billboard Live Music Summit takes place on Nov. 10 at the 1 Hotel in West Hollywood. This event brings together artists, executives, promoters, managers and other leaders shaping the live music business. Through conversations, panels and networking, the summit explores the ideas, opportunities and challenges influencing the future of live music.
The 2026 Billboard Live Music Summit takes place on Nov. 10 at the 1 Hotel in West Hollywood. This event brings together artists, executives, promoters, managers and other leaders shaping the live music business. Through conversations, panels and networking, the summit explores the ideas, opportunities and challenges influencing the future of live music.
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MusicTranscript
00:00Hello, I'm Lindsay Havens and we all know we are here with Hilary Duff. Round of applause.
00:07Hello, hi everyone. Thanks for being here. Thank you. We do love you, which is why you're being
00:14honored today for Outstanding Pop Tour of the Year. Yeah, when you think of the Lucky Me Tour
00:20so far, because it's not over yet, what has felt outstanding for you about this trek?
00:26Oh, gosh. Well, I think even some of the realities that I'm living with day to day in all the
00:40cities that I visited and the fans and the just sheer numbers of people showing up like
00:46feels crazy to process after such a long break. And I think, you know, it's just
00:55been an incredible year, really fun year. Huge growth has happened for me personally and
01:02professionally. And, you know, I think that when you dream and you have the right people
01:09around you with a really good plan and you work your ass off, things like this can happen.
01:16You know, I think I there's so many different thoughts and different angles I could take
01:21and talking about the tour and what the year has looked like. But I think that's the fact
01:26a lot of people have shown up for me and I've worked really hard and it's been like
01:31just a real a real dream sequence. Yeah. For us, too. Honestly, if anyone has attended the
01:36show, you know that it feels very much like a dream, a joyful dream. Let's go back a bit
01:41to early 2025. You're working on the new album, signing a new record deal. Do you remember the
01:46moment that touring again crossed your mind for the first time? Yes, it I started to, you know,
01:59think about what that was going to feel like or look like and how I was going to get enough
02:04guts to
02:06start that process again. And I think it was probably halfway through making the record and
02:10feeling like that was in a really good place that that puzzle piece kind of, you know, got got placed
02:15in. And then the next thing was like, okay, starting to like rehearse and move. And, and,
02:22you know, I remember actually sitting with my husband first and talking about it. And he's
02:28always the person to like calm me down and make everything really digestible. But then past that
02:35was like sitting with my manager, Darren and Colin Lewis at Live Nation and being like, no,
02:42I'm going to do this and just being like really scrappy and confident and then sitting in my car
02:48and being like, oh my God, am I going to do this? So, you know, I think it just was
02:55like one foot in
02:56front of the other. And then this other part of me, that's like, I know how to do this. And
03:02I know
03:02that I can. But a lot has happened since then, you know, 20, almost 20 years of life lived not
03:09being on stage. So it was, I had a lot of work to do. But I think the first few
03:14moments were just
03:15like talking with Matt in the studio about the potential of touring and obviously knowing that
03:20we were making a record to tour it. And then, you know, getting, getting all my partners in place.
03:27And that's what it looked like. You sort of soft launched with the small rooms,
03:32big nerves tour. What was like the biggest nerve? What were you most nervous about
03:37for stepping on stage for the first time?
03:47It feels so long ago because now I step on stage and I don't even think twice about it.
03:52And that felt like an impossible place to get to before I had done that for a show in London
03:58for small rooms, big nerves. I honestly think my biggest fear was being present and not feeling
04:08like I was in my body to give a show that represented who I am now and reached people the
04:19way that I
04:19have before. That was my biggest fear. I wasn't like, oh, if I miss this dance move, oh, if I,
04:24you know, fuck up this song or, you know, I, I was more like, I want to,
04:31I want to give it my everything and like lay it all out and give people what they came for
04:37and what
04:37maybe, you know, they missed for 20 years. And, and just, I think reaching people, having the show
04:43designed in a way that really represented how I want people to see me and how I want to connect
04:49with people. Um, that was like my biggest fear was just accomplishing that. Yeah. Um,
04:55and not sleeping in my bed for months and months at a time. Yeah. That'll make you nervous. Um,
05:02I am really curious because from the outside looking in, you know, tours of the scale,
05:05they, they seem like such a whirlwind, but what have you learned is the secret to actually staying
05:10present and feeling like you are taking it all in, in the moment as it comes.
05:17I think checking in with yourself and with your reality is an important thing to happen. Um,
05:23I'm lucky enough that I get to tour with my husband and we have a very clear vision of what
05:29we want things to look like. And then, you know, we also have to stop and be like, we did
05:34this.
05:36And I think that was a really hard thing to process when you're younger. I didn't ever really get the
05:42scale or, you know, soak in any accolades or moments that were pretty crazy and don't just happen to
05:51anyone, you know? Um, so I would say that maybe I got a little lost in your question, but one
05:59of the
06:00big standout things for me is the people that are on the tour and make it go round every single
06:06day,
06:06their heart is all in the right place. They like love and care about me. We all have the same
06:11goal.
06:11We all want to be there. And it makes that life, um, doable. It's a crazy touring is such a
06:21crazy,
06:23wonderful thing to be a part of, but it's like this niche thing that just not a lot of people
06:27can
06:28grasp or understand. Um, cause it looks so fancy and bright from the outside, you know? Um, and so
06:35much of it is wonderful. And then if you don't have a circle of people, you know, your family around,
06:43it's also really incredibly challenging. And yeah, you shared this really sweet story. You did sort
06:49of like a friends and family performance. And after your son told you, he was really proud of you.
06:53Yeah. What does having your kids support mean? And how is that grounding through all of this too?
06:59First of all, my manager, Darren was like, I, you have to do a friends. Oh, he's Canadian. He's like,
07:04you have to, Oh, you have to do this. And I'm like, this sounds like someone pulling my fingernails
07:12out or something. Like, I don't want to perform for everyone I know and love. Like they can have the
07:17record and listen to the, in their car, or I can drink too much wine one night and put it
07:21on and
07:22like have their opinions digestible to me in the moment with my nerves. Like, I don't want to go
07:29do this. Um, cause it was just like a room like this of everyone that I know and like deal
07:35with
07:35every day staring at me and my, my, my hand was like, um, but it was sweet. And I think
07:43there was no
07:43better way to prepare yourself. Um, because you know, that, that room was lacking in energy
07:54compared to what, you know, the first show was like. So once I got on the stage in London,
07:59I was like, Oh, that's right. Um, but my son after the show who he's 14 and, and acts very
08:1014,
08:11um, was like, I'm proud of you, mom. That had to be really hard to do. And I was like,
08:18why? Well, thank you. And thank you so much for saying that. I love you so much. And why,
08:23why did you say it like that? And he was like, I actually can't imagine doing something such a
08:30long time ago. And then like so much time going by and then doing it again, it has to be
08:34so scary.
08:35And it like made me want to cry because I'm like, wow, scared is like a fear that in adulthood
08:42we
08:43obviously deal with and feel, but like we process it so different, so much differently as adults.
08:49We just kind of like buck up and do the thing. And I was like, I am scared. I'm terrified,
08:54you know, because everything has just changed so much since, including myself, um, since my first
09:03tours or, you know, putting music out, I was like, it's, it's going to be what it's going to be
09:07at
09:08this point once things are released into the world and I'm on the stage and it's nothing but camera
09:13phones and, you know, very different. Yeah, it is. Yeah. A lot to take in when you're the one on
09:18that
09:19stage. Um, you said in our incredible cover story that Katie Bain did that, you know, also at the same
09:26time as digesting all of this, you've had a big touring business before, like you're well aware of
09:31the machine that was. So what do you think was giving you the most confidence through all of
09:35this too? I think building it from the ground up, um, is the most obvious answer. Um, being involved
09:48in just every step from start to finish. Um, and you know, I was involved before, but I can't say
09:59I
09:59cared about, like, I look back at my old shows and I see like laser beams everywhere. And of course
10:06it
10:06was a different time, but I'm like, would not have a laser beam at luck or something. I mean,
10:11sorry, or, um, the lucky me show. So, you know, it's, it's just a different time. I'm a different
10:17person. Tastes have changed. I so know myself that I'm like hard no on this. Let's lean in harder to
10:25that. Like, you know, I, it's, it's just the difference in 20 years of living life and knowing
10:30myself and, um, getting to have people around me that want what I want and share the same
10:36vision. And, you know, each time we try to make it better and better and we're all business partners,
10:42you know? Yeah. Is there, so also I care a lot more because I think when I was younger, I
10:47didn't
10:47quite know how to care that much yet. Totally. And I'm sure, you know, it's hard to take everything
10:52in at that age too, the way you can now. Um, is there one decision you made for this tour
10:57that still to this day, you're like, hell yeah, that was, that was the call.
11:03I think there's many. Um,
11:14I would, I would have to think about that. I, I, I think one thing that's been cool about building
11:27this with, with Matt is that every step of the way he has encouraged me to
11:35lean into all of the things that feel so representative of me. And even though that
11:42feels like really normal, that's what has resonated with people. Um, so, you know,
11:53instead of trying to make something that is like, I think it stems back to making the record and,
12:03and really approaching it with a feeling of like, who am I, what do I like to do? How do
12:10I want to
12:11represent? What have I, what are some of my stories that, you know, have
12:18made up who I am? And, um, instead of like swinging for a hit or trying to make something that
12:25is good for radio or whatever, and really making a piece of, um, art that resonates with, with me after
12:33such a long time being gone, I think was the, the start of like, just staying on my path and,
12:42and that continued through the tour, you know, it's the design of the show, the different acts and how
12:48those land with people. Um, my musical director and so much more Jacob is here and we're constantly
12:55evolving and changing things and working together. Like, Oh, that really worked this night. Like,
12:59let's lean more into that. Or that song doesn't fit good there. Let's change that. You know,
13:03it's really fun to have an incredibly large, incredibly large catalog to lean on and pick and
13:10throw in new songs each night and surprise people. And I think just constantly gut checking what feels
13:16and lands well with me is what makes it land with other people. So yeah, totally trying to quiet
13:25outside noise, even though there's not a whole bunch of it. And mostly everybody wants what I want,
13:29but yeah, I would say just sticking to your gut is been the most helpful. Yeah. It's absolutely what
13:37has resonated with us as fans, just because that authenticity is like what has drawn us to you for
13:42so many years now. Thank you. Yeah. Um, you mentioned leaving lasers in the past.
13:48Is there anything though that once you started doing this again was muscle memory almost and that
13:53you actually were kind of grateful that you had to lean into?
14:04I think there's a certain movement that your body just does and, um, certain ways I used to sing
14:11that I had to unlearn and relearn, but that's kind of technical stuff. Yeah. Um,
14:19I don't know how to pinpoint exactly what that is. All I know is that once we started to incorporate,
14:25it was important for me to start moving to like luck or something and, and embodying that.
14:31That makes sense. Um, and then adding in the old songs and seeing how those two worlds collide and what
14:39comes through. And I'd say it's just really playful. And like, I feel so excited to tap that girl again
14:46and to find that feeling and, um, hit on some of those memories and, you know,
14:54just blend those two worlds has been a really like healing experience and just fun. And I think when
15:01you see the show, you, you feel that energy coming from me and that fun and that appreciation of the
15:07past, but that we've gotten to grow up and meet each other again in this moment and, and have those
15:13like
15:14me too connections. Right. That's, I mean, that's like what brings so much of the joy to these shows.
15:21I'd say the wide rocker girl stance is gone. That one's gone. That one's gone. Hasn't returned.
15:27Um, but not never. Maybe she'll return soon. You never know. We got more dates. We do.
15:36Um, I'm going to put you on the spot. You don't have to answer, but is there one song that
15:39was the
15:39hardest to unlearn and relearn how to sing for yourself today?
15:49Oh gosh, there was a few. I didn't want to sing. Um,
15:55um, I think it was more of a tone, like of a, you know, I'm used to having this like
16:04little girl
16:05sound and I'm not a little girl anymore. So I do have a pretty young sounding voice. Um,
16:14so, you know, doing some of the mind re-recording versions felt like I was taking ownership in a
16:19different way and they sound very similar. I still sound very similar, but I think just, you know,
16:25leaning into the craft a little bit more. And you know, before I was just like, I'm going to be
16:31a
16:31singer and like, and I was, that's just determination. But, um, but you know, just working, working
16:41differently now as an adult and, um, being like, Oh, okay. That happened when I was 14. I can like
16:47hear the congestion in my voice. Um, so, you know, that, that's been something different,
16:53but it's nice because I'm, I'm 20 years past that person and, um, singing those songs are still
17:00really fun for me. Um, but you know, they mean something different now and totally.
17:08Is there a moment in the set each night that you are sort of most looking forward to get to?
17:14Yes. The jeans and t-shirt moment when I get to take my, my shoes off.
17:19Well, you talked about this cause you thought about doing the tour barefoot and then
17:23you were like, no, I want pop star Hillary in heels. Yes. Um,
17:31I, you know, the show is very high energy. I'm not really still for a lot of it and she's
17:3839,
17:39you know? It's a lot. Yeah. So when I get the couch on stage and I get to take my
17:45shoes off,
17:46it's also a nice marker that I'm almost done. So true. And I don't, I'm not like wishing for it
17:51to
17:52be over, but you know, when you look at your tour schedule and you see like 34 dates, you want
17:59to
17:59chip away at it, you know? Um, so you know, every night I'm in my quick change booth and putting
18:06my
18:06like baggy t-shirt and jeans on. I'm like, I'm there. I'm so close.
18:10Rounding the corner.
18:11Yes. Yes. And it's just, it's a sweet, I really liked that portion of the show. It feels like an
18:16adult, like slumber party. Um, I'm like jumping on the couch and resting on the couch and drinking
18:22wine and doing all the things I really like to do. Yeah. Like the ideal friends and family
18:26performance that you wanted originally. Yes. I was like breaking out in hives and shaking in my
18:34pop star shoes. All worth it. We got here. Um, so this summer, your family, your kids actually
18:41joined you on tour and I love this in the cover story as well. You said it was really fun
18:44and
18:45something you never want to do again for other touring moms or parents in general. What's the
18:49best advice from that experience though?
18:54Hmm. Okay. Well, I already have lied because I do want to do it again.
18:59Touring does this thing. Touring does this thing to you where you finish and you're like,
19:06that was the hardest thing I've ever done. And I don't ever want to do that again.
19:10And, and then a few weeks go by and you're like, should we add some dates? Like you kind of
19:14miss
19:14that family, you know, that road family. And, um, again, I said it before, but it's kind of like
19:21something that not a lot of people experience and understand. So you become part of this club.
19:26That's you're just road dogs and it's hard, but hard things, you know, you look back on with so much
19:33pride.
19:34Um, so I 100% have failed every single tour. I said I wasn't going to bring my kids on
19:40and they've been on every single one. And I'll just look at my husband. He's like,
19:45I already booked the tickets. They're coming. And I'm like, okay.
19:48Um, it's been, I'd say the most rewarding part outside of, you know, me being in this industry for
19:56such a long time and having highs and lows, you know, the, the win of this year has been
20:04really incredible. And I didn't dream it to look like this. I really didn't.
20:07Yeah. Um, but getting to have my family alongside and be the landing pad at the end of
20:14the day and the madness and the craziness, you know, they're so
20:19happy to be there and there's, there's just balls of energy and like love and all the things that,
20:29you know, I work to build is like, that's the number one payoff and to get to have them here
20:33for
20:34this is amazing. And I know it won't last forever because I also have a teenager who doesn't want to
20:37be there all the time. So it's the sweet spot of like, you know, getting to have them see this.
20:43This is a part of my life. I really didn't know I was going to tap again and they're having
20:48a great
20:48time. That's awesome. I know I said this to you before, but so many of us are jealous of them
20:52that they just get to go to every show. They have it made. That's so funny. They love to, um,
20:58like collect the confetti on the floor and be side stage or be in the audience. And they love to
21:04tell me about the costumes they saw and it's really sweet. And then you asked about advice
21:09for people touring with their families. I, I don't know. Our tour bus was crazy. Everyone had like
21:18baby bunker or baby, baby bumpers. So people didn't like get tossed out in the night. Like it's a real
21:25crazy thing. Um, but everyone slept really good on the bus except for me. So that was a nice perk.
21:31Yeah. Um, I would say my number one advice would just be like, get them on the schedule that you're
21:36on. So you're not up at 6 AM. And then is there, you know, I'm sure for you, there's always
21:45a come
21:45down when you come back home from tour. How, how do they adjust? Do they miss the bus? Do they
21:50miss
21:50the road? I did not have that. The tour blues, a lot of the crew would be like, did you
21:56have the tour blues?
21:56And I was like, no, no, I'm so happy to like have a kitchen to cook in and my car
22:03and freedom.
22:04And I think that's, what's made this really different than before is like coming home to
22:08family and our home. And you know, the kids, the kids really love both. They love their school.
22:13They love routine. They do best with a routine. Um, but also like we just flew to Australia and
22:20hung out with marsupials and played six shows. And that was really cool.
22:24I'm really highlighting all the fun glamorous parts because the travel with that many children
22:29is very hard. Yeah. It's rough. Um, you added more dates into 2027, which we're very thrilled about,
22:36but not only was it was the right decision for fans, of course, we always want more,
22:41but why was it the right decision for you to do that?
22:44Hmm. Well, I think to just complete, complete the cycle, you know, there's, there's a lot of
22:59different reasons, I guess. But, um, one is everybody knows that I'm not gonna just tour for
23:08tour and get it done. Like I have to come home. I have to take breaks. I have to
23:11be with my family and keep somewhat of a schedule for them. Um, so it was always planned to kind
23:17of
23:17break it up like this. And the adding of dates is just, you know, something that we all were like,
23:24wow, the demand is there. It's been so incredible to see how the shows, how people have shown up for
23:31their shows. And, you know, it's, it's, it's just incredible. Like adding shows was a no brainer,
23:38as long as, you know, it's within a timeframe that kind of works for the family. Um, and
23:45I really want to get to a hundred shows. So
23:50Someone count right now. Where are we at?
23:52We got a ways to go, but it's going to happen.
23:55Well, that's really exciting and promising. Um, is there anything that you already know you're
24:01going to change in the upcoming shows?
24:02I think mostly some set list stuff just to keep it fresh. Yeah. Um,
24:10maybe some wardrobe. I have a really hard time wearing the same thing every night. That part sucks.
24:15Um, it's been so fun to create this world with, um, my stylist Nilo. It's, it's,
24:21I just love what we have created together. Um, it really has just felt like its own little world and,
24:29um, has been so impactful for people and, you know, them coming and showing up in a star dresses that
24:35they made at home. It's really so sweet. Yeah. Um, so that's been great, but I would say probably
24:42some changes to that set list and then, you know, nothing, nothing else. Okay. Yeah. I saw a lot of
24:48star dress Halloween costumes. Yes. Super cute. Um, in addition to your tour shows, there's a strong
24:57possibility we'll see your name on some festival bills. Uh, is there a favorite festival you've
25:01attended as a fan, but never gotten to perform at that you would want to?
25:07Ooh. Hmm.
25:12I have to be honest. I haven't been to a lot of festivals.
25:14That was going to be my next question. Have you been to a lot of festivals?
25:17Yeah. I've been to Coachella for a few years. Yeah.
25:19I haven't been in many, many years. Um, but I haven't been to too many. Okay. Yeah. Um,
25:28Matt was at Lollapalooza last year and I was so jealous. I wanted to come and I couldn't.
25:33Yeah. That one seems like so much fun because it's just in the middle of the city. Exactly. Um,
25:39so that, you know, the festival thing really excites me. Um, there's just so many iconic performances
25:48and fun things that artists do, um, to surprise people. So that, that definitely piques my interest.
25:54Okay. Ours too. We would love that. Um, in, I know I keep mentioning the cover story that you
26:01just did for us, but, um, one of my favorite quotes was that you said you're at this place
26:05where you're able to send love to little Hillary. Uh, I'm really curious what she would say about
26:10where you're at right now in terms of the balance that you've been able to maintain as a touring artist.
26:27I don't part of me is like picturing Lizzie McGuire and like a mismatched outfit
26:33and she has like bangs and she's like saying something like sassy. Um, and then part of me is
26:42looking at like the 17 year old, like kind of rocker chick Hillary, who was like also on tour. Um,
26:57and I think it would just be really nice to
27:03go back and tell her that like, she figured it all out in a really healthy way.
27:07Mm-hmm. Um, and then it's on her terms. Cause there was like just a point where
27:15when you're on a train that's going so fast, it's really hard to stop it.
27:20And I didn't even know why I wanted to stop it, but I was just like overwhelmed and done.
27:24Right.
27:25And it's really hard to stop that at that age and to have like enough, um,
27:35um, enough guts, I guess, you know, to just need to pause. Um,
27:43so I did obviously eventually pause for a really, really, really long time. Um, but I think I would
27:49just be really proud and be like, girl, you take a break and figure this out and you get an
27:55awesome
27:55family and definitely like roller coaster up and down sometimes personally and professionally,
28:03but like all that gets you to a really cool place. And like, this has just been such an epic
28:08year and
28:09a year filled with like love. And I'm so proud. I'm really proud of myself. Yeah.
28:13You know, and that's, that's hard to feel as an adult. And I think that's one of the things that
28:18we're feeling watching you too, which is really cool. Like, you know, when you said people can
28:22look at you and say like me too, like kind of give permission to everyone else to feel proud
28:25of where they're at and how they got there. Um, and I will say, I think one of the things
28:29that makes
28:30this an outstanding pop tour is not just, it's so much fun. It's an amazing set list. Like all the
28:34bits
28:35are there, but I think what's so admirable is the thing we're talking about is like the balance that you
28:40found, which I think is really hard for a lot of people and really scary for a lot of touring
28:44artists
28:45to kind of look down and be like, how can I have both or have it all? Yes. So hats
28:49off to you. Hats
28:50off to your team. You've made it look easy. Thank you. Yeah. Um, it's definitely not easy. And everyone
28:56involved who has their arms wrapped around me, you know, is, is doing so much every day to make this
29:05thing go. Yeah. And, um, including myself, um, and you know, the time away from family or whatever
29:11it is. And it's, it's been a real practice in like I matter to, and my dreams matter too. And
29:17I think
29:18that's what's resonated with a lot of, you know, women mothers in particular that it's okay to make
29:26sacrifices for your family to like still live a life that you find purpose just for yourself in.
29:33Yes, totally. Um, and it's like goes against everything in your body, you know, to, to step
29:39away from the children that you created. Right. And I, I don't mean to just pinpoint this for like
29:45mothers. I think it can kind of be just targeted towards an adult who feels a little stuck. Yeah.
29:53Um, but it is, um, been just a big year of dreaming and, you know, some of those realities coming
30:01true
30:01or something, some of those dreams becoming realities. Um, and so thank you for saying
30:06that. Cause I think, you know, at the shows, it really feels like a celebration and it's not just
30:10about me. Yeah, totally. We all see ourselves in that celebration for sure. It's a good time for
30:16anyone who hasn't been to the show. There's more dates. Thank you. Um, we have your award in the least
30:22awkward way possible. I am going to reach behind and present you with your outstanding pop tour of
30:31the year award. Thank you so much. All right. Thanks everyone.