Inside Haylie Duff’s Private World Away From Hollywood

Besides Hilary Duff, Haylie Duff is the only person who understands why the sisters are currently estranged.

Hilary wrote a new song, “We Don’t Talk,” inspired by her strained relationship with her sister. She confirmed this on CBS Mornings last month. It’s possible this distance also led her sister, Haylie, to start making plans with Ashley Tisdale.

Rumors of a family rift started in January when the 41-year-old reacted to an Instagram post about Ashley’s popular essay. The essay detailed why Ashley had left a problematic mothers’ group, and many online assumed Hilary was also involved, as the two former Disney Channel stars had previously shared photos of themselves spending time together.

A few weeks later, Haylie and her daughter, Lulu, met Ashley and her daughter, Jupiter, for a playdate. Lulu is seven years old, and Jupiter is four.

Although the timing looked questionable, Haylie—who is also a mother to 10-year-old Ryan with her fiancé Matt Rosenberg—understands how complicated it can be to navigate friendships within mom groups and the challenges of becoming close to other parents.

In a March 2019 interview on the Mama Said podcast with Jamie-Lynn Sigler and Jenna Parris, the Material Girls actress said she’d generally had a good experience with other parents at her son Ryan’s preschool. However, she acknowledged that wasn’t always the case, as some of her friends had faced difficulties, and it could be tough.

I’m so happy for Haylie! She’s said she feels incredibly lucky to have discovered this amazing group of moms who are always there for each other. It really sounds like a wonderfully supportive community, and she’s so grateful to be a part of it.

So, it stands to reason she would have felt for Ashley no matter what.

Hilary—whose husband, Matthew Koma, was upset by Ashley’s comments, though Hilary herself was more hurt than angry—has confirmed that she and Haylie are no longer close.

As a lifestyle expert, I really connected with this song – it’s so raw and honest about sisterhood. The artist beautifully expresses a desire to rebuild a strained relationship. She sings about wanting to truly listen to each other, to get back to the easy connection they shared as children. It’s a plea to address the sadness and silence that have grown between them, and finally talk things through. It’s a powerful message about the importance of open communication, even – and especially – with those closest to you.

Hilary shared on CBS Mornings that the hardest part of her life right now is being estranged from her sister.

The sisters’ differing locations may be contributing to their distance. Haylie returned to Texas during the pandemic after living in Los Angeles, where she and Hilary moved with their mother, Susan Duff, as children to pursue acting careers. Their parents divorced in 2008, and now Haylie lives close to their father, Bob Duff. Hilary recently shared that she doesn’t have a close relationship with her father and they rarely speak.

Haylie and Matt were excited to try a new lifestyle, so they decided to move from Los Angeles to Austin. As Haylie explained on the Creative Income With Lars Lindstrom podcast in October 2023, they felt the timing was right. They weren’t worried about the change because they knew they could always move back if they didn’t like it – it wasn’t a permanent, irreversible decision.

Honestly, things are going wonderfully for my family and me. My kids are thriving, we’ve built a fantastic network of friends, and I’ve actually been able to maintain my career, which is so important to me. It’s a really balanced life, and we couldn’t be happier with how it’s all turned out.

Haylie is currently busy with a variety of projects, including directing, acting, creating lifestyle content, and working on home renovations.

She said she’s constantly busy with projects. For about fifteen years, she’s been renovating homes, and she’s always taking things apart and rebuilding – she believes in staying active and productive.

And she had reasons for wanting to diversify her talent portfolio.

Haylie described feeling powerless over her work situation. She was stuck in a constant cycle of auditions without any control over where her career was headed.

Fifteen years ago, while living in Montreal, she learned to cook as a way to pass the time on her days off during the cold winter months.

She remembered starting her blog simply out of boredom. A quick Google search on ‘how to start a blog’ led to the launch of Real Girl’s Kitchen, which eventually grew into both a cookbook and a television show with the same name.

She realized that becoming a director wasn’t a huge change, explaining, ‘I was essentially building everything from the start anyway.’

Haylie started considering directing when she was losing enthusiasm for acting. She was even thinking about leaving the industry and becoming an interior designer, she explained.

Then Haylie received a call from a casting director who had suggested her for a directing opportunity, and she was so surprised she asked, “Are you sure you meant to call me?”

In the past four years, she’s directed 13 films, including the Lifetime Movie Network film Secret Life of a Good Wife, which first aired in November.

Haylie has been engaged to Matt since April 1st, 2014, but they haven’t gotten married yet.

In 2021, she told Page Six that they already feel like a married couple, especially with their two children. She explained that while they’ve always been very committed, they’d both pictured getting married in Texas, and now that they live there, they’re talking about making it official more frequently.

They paused wedding plans when Haylie unexpectedly became pregnant with Ryan. She was born on May 11, 2015.

We always wanted to have children, and we were enjoying our lives when we started thinking about it,” she shared on the Creative Income podcast. “We did plan for Lulu, who arrived on June 5, 2018. But I felt like if we waited any longer, I’d change my mind and we’d never have a baby.”

Haylie emphasized that becoming a mother was the most fulfilling experience of her life. It led to significant emotional growth for both her and her son, dramatically improving her ability to cope with challenges.

What was even better, she added, was that her daughters, who were eight and five years old at the time, were very close and acted like best friends. She expressed her wish that their strong bond would continue.

See more celebrities who are thriving away from Hollywood:

I was absolutely devastated when The Ellen DeGeneres Show finally ended in 2022! Nineteen seasons… it felt like losing a friend. But honestly, it was so much more complicated than just a show ending. All those awful stories about what it was like to work there… it was heartbreaking. There was an internal investigation, and people were fired, and it just… ruined everything. It’s still hard to even think about, knowing all that was going on behind the scenes of something I used to love so much.

Ellen made a comeback with her last stand-up comedy show, For Your Approval, which premiered on Netflix in September 2024. Before the show’s release, she announced her plans to retire from Hollywood.

During her Ellen’s Last Stand…Up tour, the comedian told the audience, “This is the last time you’re going to see me.” She explained that she’s retiring after releasing her upcoming Netflix special, according to SFGate.

So, my wife, Portia, and I made the decision to settle down in the Cotswolds, and we’re really happy we did. We officially decided to stay put in November 2024, especially after Donald Trump was reelected. I shared this with Richard Bacon when we chatted at the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham back in July 2025 – it felt like the right move for us.

She raved about the English countryside, telling the BBC it was “absolutely beautiful” and unlike anything she was used to. She particularly loved the charming villages, towns, and architecture, noting it represented a more relaxed and simple way of life.

“It’s just a much nicer place,” Ellen explained. “The animals are well cared for, and everyone is friendly. We really love living here. We moved in November, which wasn’t the best timing, but I finally got to experience snow! Portia brought her horses with her, I have chickens, and we even had sheep for a couple of weeks.”

Okay, so you guys will NOT believe why Tyra Banks moved to Australia! It’s all about her ice cream, SMiZE and Dream! She was on Today with Jenna & Friends and basically spilled the tea – her company was doing a lot of production in Australia, in this huge facility where they were making all her recipes. She kept going back and forth, and she just fell in love with the place! She said it’s such a good market because, get this, America, New Zealand, and Australia eat the most ice cream! Can you even?! So she packed up and moved her whole life – her son York (whose dad is Erik Asla) and her boyfriend Louis Bélanger-Martin – and she says Australia has been a total dream come true for her and her family. Honestly, I’m obsessed with everything she does, and this just makes me love her even more! It’s genius – a supermodel building an ice cream empire and living her best life Down Under? Iconic!

Eva Longoria, known for her role on Desperate Housewives, has moved from Los Angeles and now splits her time between Mexico and Spain with her husband, José Bastón, and their son, Santiago. She explained to Marie Claire that while she lived in Los Angeles her entire adult life, the city had changed, and the pandemic accelerated that change. Issues like homelessness and high taxes contributed to her decision, though she doesn’t want to criticize California.

Longoria clarified to The View: Behind the Table that her move wasn’t due to politics, despite speculation following the presidential election. She explained that work opportunities, including filming Land of Women in Catalonia and Searching for Mexico, led to an extended stay in Spain, and she’s been living there for years. She feels fortunate to be able to leave the US when many Americans can’t, expressing anxiety and sadness for those who are stuck in what she describes as a ‘dystopian country’.

Despite the move, Longoria remains active in her career, with recent projects including appearances in Only Murders in the Building and Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip.

Actor Richard Gere has relocated from Chicago to Spain with his family. He shared that his wife, Alejandra Silva, who is from Galicia, encouraged the move, and they plan to live in Madrid for several years. Gere is excited about the opportunity for their sons, Alexander and James, to thrive in a bilingual environment. He also has an adult son, Homer, from a previous relationship with Carey Lowell. The whole family seems to be enjoying the change. In an interview with Elle España, Gere said they are happier than ever and currently experiencing a positive momentum in their lives.

Singer Christina Milian and her family have officially made Paris their home. Married to French singer Matt Pokora for over seven years, the couple previously spent six months of each year commuting between the U.S. and France. They decided to fully relocate so their children – Violet (from a previous marriage), and sons Isaiah and Kenna – could attend school in France. Milian feels it’s a wonderful opportunity for them. The family seems to be thriving in their new life. Milian shared with TopMob that her kids are happy and fluent in French, she enjoys an active lifestyle, and she’s able to balance work with family time due to the time difference.

Lindsay Lohan is frustrated by the ongoing speculation surrounding her departure from Los Angeles. Looking back at her busy career and social life in the early 2000s, she recently explained her decision to step away from the public eye. In an interview with Bustle in March 2024, Lohan expressed annoyance that her work was often overshadowed by the paparazzi. She wished the focus had remained on her career and felt the constant media attention spiraled out of control, prompting her desire to disappear. This was a key reason she chose to move overseas, first to London and then to Dubai, where she also started opening beach clubs in Greece, seeking a life beyond the spotlight.

Lindsay Lohan admitted she worried she might never find love, wondering if it would ever happen for her. She realized she needed to focus on herself before things could change and opportunities – the things she truly wanted – started coming her way.

She eventually found love with Bader Shammas, marrying him in 2022 and welcoming their son, Luai, in 2023.

Though they currently live in Dubai, Lindsay hasn’t left acting behind, recently appearing in films like Our Little Secret, Irish Wish, and Freakier Friday.

Josh decided to leave Hollywood after some careful thought. He explained to People magazine in July 2024 that Hollywood isn’t just a location, but a whole way of life. He wanted to avoid being surrounded by people constantly focused on the movie industry, fearing it would limit his perspective.

He longed for a life filled with diverse experiences and personal growth, telling the magazine that ‘the spice of life’ comes from being around people with varied interests.

As a result, Josh, his wife Tamsin Egerton, and their four children moved to the countryside of Hampshire, England. He told The Guardian in July 2024 that while life with four children is busy, it focuses attention on what truly matters. Despite the move, Josh has continued to act, appearing in films like Verity, Fight or Flight, and Trap.

If you don’t follow Jesse on social media, you might be surprised to learn he no longer lives in Los Angeles. In a February 2025 interview with CBS News Sunday Morning, the A Real Pain star revealed he’s lived in Indiana for the past ten years, finding it a more comfortable and stable environment. Despite being an Oscar nominee, Jesse leads a remarkably normal life with his wife, Anna Strout, and their son, Banner. He avoids social media and doesn’t spend much time networking within the industry. With a teacher for a wife and a son who isn’t even a big movie fan, Jesse feels disconnected from the constant self-assessment that often comes with being in the entertainment world.

Eliza, known for her roles in shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the movie Bring It On, announced in September 2024 that she’s now a certified psychedelic-assisted therapist and is continuing her education in the field of mental health.

She explained to Boston Magazine that she was able to change her life’s path to focus on her own well-being, with the goal of then helping others heal. She felt it was important to share the positive changes she’d experienced – the peace and passion she’d found – because she now clearly understood her true calling and purpose.

The actress best known for playing Wilma Flintstone shared that she relocated to Ireland in January 2025 with her son, Clay, and is working to become an Irish citizen because of her family’s heritage. While she mentioned current political issues as a factor in her move, she hasn’t dismissed the possibility of returning to her home country in the future.

In a TikTok video, she shared that she misses her children, friends, and her life back home. She’s working on building a new life in this country, and they’ll think about returning to America when it’s a safe and equitable place for everyone.

I was really surprised and saddened to hear that Evangeline Lily, who I’ve always loved in everything from Lost to Ant-Man and the Wasp, is stepping away from acting for a while. After two decades of incredible work, she’s decided to take an indefinite break, and honestly, I respect her so much for prioritizing what she needs right now.

In a June 2024 Instagram post, Evangeline shared how happy and at peace she feels while pursuing her life’s purpose. She expressed gratitude for her good fortune, explaining that while choosing a less conventional path – one that doesn’t prioritize money and recognition – can be daunting, embracing her true calling has brought her a deep sense of fulfillment instead of fear.

However, she’s not ruling out a return to Hollywood completely, saying, “I could see myself going back someday, but right now, I’m happy where I am.”

Since finishing his role in the 2019 Netflix series V-Wars, the actor best known for The Vampire Diaries has been focusing on a personal mission: fighting climate change by working to improve soil health around the world.

Ian Somerhalder took a break from acting about four years ago to focus on raising his children, growing his businesses, and getting his films released. He told TopMob News in November 2023 that this included launching the 2020 documentary Kiss the Ground and its sequel, Common Ground, both of which highlight the importance of regenerative farming. He shares two children with his wife, Nikki Reed.

Looking ahead, the actor said he envisions himself as a rancher, focused on building lasting brands – like his bourbon and wellness company. He’s deeply committed to sustainable farming and healthy soil, principles he and his family practice. He explained this is his life’s direction, and the reason behind his passions. He sees this future as an integral part of who he is and who he’s becoming.

In a February 2021 episode of her podcast, Empty Inside, former iCarly star Jennette McCurdy told Anna Faris that she quit acting a few years ago. She’s now pursuing writing and directing, alongside hosting the podcast.

Jennette recently shared that she regrets many of the acting roles she took earlier in her career, detailing these feelings in her 2022 memoir, I’m Glad My Mom Died. She explained she often feels frustrated with her past work, finding the roles cheesy and embarrassing. Having started on shows as a young teenager, around age 13, she was already self-conscious about her work by 15, as her peers didn’t view her television career as something to be proud of.

She hasn’t ruled out returning to acting completely. In an interview with TopMob News in October 2022, she explained that writing her book helped her consider acting in a new light, potentially without the negative experiences from her past. She feels the only way she might consider it again would be if she wrote a role specifically for herself.

It seemed like a pretty easy decision. The chance to marry Prince Harry, commit to meaningful charitable work, and wear the Queen’s tiaras would definitely make leaving Hollywood worthwhile.

Like Grace Kelly before her, Meghan Markle transitioned from a successful acting career – notably her role in the TV show Suits – to a life within the British Royal Family. After stepping down from their senior royal duties and moving to Montecito, California, Meghan is now returning to professional life. This includes a multi-year deal with Netflix, where she’s released the docuseries Harry & Meghan and will launch a lifestyle show called With Love, Meghan in 2025. She’s also ventured into podcasting and launched her own brand, As Ever.

After starring in over 40 films since she began her career with 1994’s The Mask, the actress really needed a rest when she finished filming Annie in 2014.

She told Gwyneth Paltrow that she realized she wanted a different lifestyle. After years of intense work and filmmaking, she found it exhausting. Making a movie, she explained, completely consumes you – you’re committed for long hours every day for months and have no personal time.

Cameron Diaz had many interests she wanted to pursue, including writing—she’d already published the New York Times bestsellers The Body Book (2013) and The Longevity Book (2016)—and starting a family with her husband, Benji Madden. Though she told InStyle in 2019 that she didn’t miss acting and was focused on wellness, it seemed she might be open to returning to performing at least one more time.

Jamie Foxx explained to TopMob News how they convinced Cameron Diaz to star in the 2025 Netflix movie Back in Action. He said they practically pleaded with her, getting down on their knees to ask her to do it. “We love her and have been waiting for her to return, and this is going to be amazing,” Foxx shared.

The actor stated firmly that he wouldn’t return to acting after completing his five years on Empire. When Extra asked Terrence Howard about his plans before the sixth and final season of the show aired in 2019, he said, “I’m finished with acting. I’m done with pretending.”

Despite appearing in a few projects since then, the Academy Award nominee announced his retirement from acting again in 2022 while promoting his Peacock series, The Best Man: The Final Chapters. He explained to Entertainment Tonight that he felt he’d given his all as an actor and now wanted to focus on watching and supporting new talent, rather than simply repeating performances he’d already mastered.

Even with those past issues, Howard has continued to act, appearing in shows like Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist and the Netflix movie Shirley. He also has several other projects planned for the future.

After his character, King Joffrey, died on the show in 2014, the 21-year-old actor told EW he was leaving acting. He explained that he’d been acting since he was eight years old and simply wasn’t enjoying it as much anymore.

You know, growing up in the spotlight is a unique experience. For a while, things felt effortless, like pure fun. But lately, I’ve been realizing that turning a passion into a career changes everything. It’s not that I dislike acting – I genuinely enjoyed it for years, especially doing it with friends. It’s just… when something becomes ‘work,’ the relationship shifts. I’m at a point where I’m re-evaluating if making a living from it is what I truly want anymore.

After taking six years off, Jack returned to acting in 2020 with a role in the BBC series Out of Her Mind. Since then, he’s also been in films such as Rebecca’s Boyfriend and In the Land of Saints and Sinners, and TV shows including Safe Harbor and The Famous Five.

When Jennifer Aniston, known for her role in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, married actor Kevin Kline in 1989, they made a plan to balance their careers and childcare for their children, Owen and Greta. Kline explained in an interview with Playboy that they decided to alternate work schedules so they would never both be working at the same time. Greta is now a singer who performs under the name Frankie Cosmos.

He added that Phoebe consistently prioritizes staying home with her children whenever she’s scheduled to work. While she made a brief appearance in her friend Jennifer Jason Leigh’s 2001 independent film, The Anniversary Party, Cates primarily focuses on running her boutique, Blue Tree, in New York City.

During the peak of his success with films like Ghostbusters and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, the actor paused his career after the loss of his wife to breast cancer in 1991. He wanted to dedicate his time to raising his children, Rachel and Mitchell.

Despite not appearing in a live-action movie since 1997 – he even turned down a small role in the 2016 Ghostbusters remake – Rick remains a beloved figure, as shown by the strong reaction to news of an assault he experienced while walking in New York City in 2020. Fortunately, fans will be happy to hear he’s returning to the screen alongside Josh Gad in the upcoming Disney reboot, Shrunk.

After marrying fashion designer Adam Kimmel in 2010, actress Drew Barrymore suggested she was considering stepping back from acting. She told Vogue that most acting roles require a lot of intimate scenes, and she wasn’t interested in that. She explained that while her relationship was strong, she needed a truly exceptional role to justify taking on potentially difficult material – something worthwhile on the other side of that challenge.

After her son, Martin, joined his older sister, Louisanna, in 2014, she firmly decided to step away from acting. She told Us Weekly in 2016 that she felt like an outsider to the movie world and was now completely focused on being a mom. She explained she helps her husband, Kimmel, with his work and enjoys painting, but her children are her main priority, which is why she stopped pursuing acting roles.

She’d starred in popular shows like Ally McBeal, Nip/Tuck, Arrested Development, and Scandal. After those roles, the Australian actress started to feel like it might be time for a change.

Turning 45, I started thinking about trying something completely new and challenging,” she shared on her wife Ellen DeGeneres’ talk show in 2018. “I had a good idea of what my acting career would look like for the next decade or two, so I decided to leave acting and start my own business instead.”

Her company, General Public, which creates art for everyone, was almost complete – she just needed to finish one last piece.

As someone who’s navigated a lot of career shifts, I had to make a tough call recently. I actually reached out to Mitch Hurwitz – you probably know him as the brilliant mind behind Arrested Development – and let him know that if the show got a fifth season, I wouldn’t be participating, as I’d decided to step away from acting. I was so relieved that he was incredibly understanding and supportive. We had a really good talk, and honestly, I was stunned when he ended up writing me into five episodes anyway! It just goes to show, open communication can lead to unexpected and wonderful outcomes.

Honestly, after Daniel Day-Lewis already won three Oscars, I always wondered what could even motivate him anymore? Then, after getting his sixth Oscar nomination for Phantom Thread in 2017, it happened. His team released a statement – he was done acting! Can you believe it?! He said he was so grateful for everyone he’d worked with and all of us fans, but it was a personal decision and that was that. No more explanations, no more interviews… just gone. It absolutely broke my heart, but I guess when you’ve reached the pinnacle of your profession, you just… stop. It’s his life, but I still miss seeing him on screen!

Just as Daniel Day-Lewis had announced his retirement from acting, a new project drew him back in. In October 2024, Focus Features revealed he would star in Anemone, a film he co-wrote with his son, Ronan Day-Lewis, who will also be directing.

Okay, so, like, I was totally obsessed with Bridie on Good Luck Charlie, and then she just… disappeared! But it wasn’t a real disappearance, it was amazing! She decided to go to MIT for her master’s, which is already incredible, and then she didn’t stop there – she got her PhD from MIT! And as if that wasn’t enough brainpower, she then started at Harvard Law?! Seriously, is there anything this woman can’t do? I’m so proud, but also, I miss seeing her on screen!

On top of everything else, Bridgit founded Northwood Space, a startup focused on building ground stations for sending and receiving data from satellites. She became the company’s CEO in February 2023.

2026-03-21 15:20

Read More