Hilary Duff says Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato once approached her at Disney fame peak

Hilary Duff has opened up about a little-known chapter of her Disney Channel era, revealing that both Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato approached her when they were rising stars, but that she never stepped into a mentorship role. Speaking on the Therapuss podcast hosted by Jake Shane, Duff said she remembers the moment well. She explained that at some point, Gomez and Lovato had asked how she managed her success, and thanked her for paving the way. “They were really lovely and really sweet and kind and telling me how much they love me,” Duff said. “But I was never like, let me show you the way. Which, thank goodness because it’s been so fun to watch all of them pave their way and watch the journey.”

The revelation highlights the dynamic of fame in the Disney era when Duff was starring in Lizzie McGuire and Gomez and Lovato were on the cusp of major breakthroughs. Rather than assuming a guiding role, Duff says she preferred to observe from the sidelines and admire how the young stars built their own paths. The moment underlines her humility and perhaps a recognition that mentorship is not always role-defined, especially in the chaotic world of child stardom.

Duff also reflected on how little her children care about her Disney origins. She joked that despite all she achieved, telling her kids about being big on Disney Channel is met with blank stares. “No. They don’t know and they don’t care at all,” she said, acknowledging the changing nature of celebrity and generational awareness.

Her openness comes alongside her musical comeback with the new single “Mature,” and it offers a reminder that Dolly’s early career was more than just childhood stardom, it was groundwork for a diverse creative life. The anecdote about Gomez and Lovato provides unexpected context for how former child stars perceive one another: not as teachers or guides, but as peers navigating similar terrain at different speeds.

By resisting the default role of mentor, Duff reinforces that success in entertainment is rarely linear or hierarchical. Instead, she suggests it is communal and evolving, each star learning in their own time, with their own journey.