(VIDEO) Hilary Duff Talks About Estrangement from Sister Haylie, Calling It ‘Most Lonely Part’ of Her Life

LOS ANGELES — Hilary Duff addressed her long-rumored estrangement from older sister Haylie Duff for the first time publicly, confirming in emotional interviews that the rift inspired a track on her new album and describing the absence as “absolutely the most lonely part of my existence.”

In a Feb. 20, 2026, appearance on *CBS Mornings*, Duff became visibly tearful while discussing “We Don’t Talk” from her album *luck…or something*, released the same day. “It’s definitely about my sister,” she told host Anthony Mason. “And just absolutely the most lonely part of my existence is not having my sister in my life at the moment.”

The sisters, who co-starred in the 2006 film *Material Girls* and shared a close bond growing up, have not been photographed together since 2019. Their social media interactions have dwindled significantly, fueling speculation of a falling out for years. Duff struggled with including the song on the record, saying she debated whether to share such a personal story. “I really struggled with thinking about including that on the record,” she added.

The track features lyrics pondering the breakdown — “I’m not sure when it happened / Not even sure what it was about” — and references coming from “the same home, the same blood” yet facing an “emotional eviction.” Duff performed it during her *Small Rooms, Big Nerves* tour in January 2026, where fans first speculated about its meaning.

In a separate *Glamour* interview published Feb. 17, Duff reflected on broader family complexities, including her parents’ 2008 divorce. “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,” she said. “Just because you’re born into a family doesn’t mean that it always stays together. You can only control your side and your street.”

She tied the decision to write about it to readiness: “I’ve had a very complicated life, and my parents had a very complicated thing. I know it’s not rare, and I think it goes back to the theme of, why share now? I guess I just felt ready.”

Speculation intensified in January 2026 when Haylie liked Ashley Tisdale’s essay in *The Cut* about exiting a “toxic mom group,” with some interpreting it as a subtle dig at Duff, who was allegedly part of the circle. Haylie and Tisdale were later spotted dining together in Malibu, adding fuel to rumors.

Haylie has not publicly commented on the song or Duff’s interviews. The sisters, born 18 months apart, collaborated professionally in the early 2000s — Haylie voiced in *The Lizzie McGuire Movie* and appeared in Hilary’s projects — but their personal distance became evident post-2019.

Duff compared the pain to her 2015 divorce from Mike Comrie in a *Rolling Stone* interview, noting she handled it privately at first but faced renewed scrutiny when details emerged. “I feel almost like when I got divorced, where I dealt with it privately,” she said. “And then the news comes out and you’re like, ‘OK, great. I’m going to deal with this all over again.’”

Fans reacted with support online, praising Duff’s vulnerability. Many expressed hope for reconciliation, while others noted the courage in sharing amid public life. The album *luck…or something* marks Duff’s first full-length release in years, blending pop with introspective lyrics. The tour continues, with “We Don’t Talk” becoming an emotional highlight.

The sisters’ story resonates with many facing family estrangement. Therapists note such rifts often stem from unresolved issues amplified by fame, and public acknowledgment can be a step toward healing — or closure.

As Duff promotes the album, her candidness offers insight into the private toll of celebrity family dynamics. Haylie, who maintains a lower profile with occasional acting and lifestyle projects, has stayed silent, leaving the door open for future reconciliation.

For now, Duff’s words highlight the human side behind the spotlight: even close siblings can drift, leaving profound loneliness in the gap.