The ‘Crazy’ Story Behind How Hilary Duff Landed Lizzie McGuire, And How A Previous Firing And An Audition Flub Were Involved

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Many fans cherish the Disney Channel show Lizzie McGuire and its star, Hilary Duff. There were even plans to bring the show back, but they were ultimately canceled. Duff recently shared the surprising story of how she got the role that launched her career, revealing it involved being fired from a previous project and a mistake during her audition.

Before becoming famous as Lizzie McGuire, Hilary Duff was a young actress from Texas who had small parts in films, including the popular ’90s movie Casper Meets Wendy. In a recent interview with Variety, Duff shared the surprising story of how she landed her role on the Disney Channel, revealing it happened right after she was let go from another show.

The TV show audition was wild. I was really wanting to move back to Texas and just be a regular kid. I’d just been let go from another show – they replaced me with twins so they could film for longer hours. I remember thinking, ‘I got fired! And I was only eleven years old!’ It was incredibly upsetting.

It’s easy to see why a young Hilary Duff felt like giving up after being taken off a TV show. Dealing with that kind of letdown is tough for anyone, but it must have been especially difficult for a child to handle.

Working in television can be demanding, with changes often made early in the production process to improve a show’s chances of success. A good example is the original pilot for The Big Bang Theory. It featured two female leads who were ultimately cut and replaced with the character of Penny.

For Hilary Duff, a difficult experience unexpectedly opened doors to something amazing. But even before that, becoming a star playing a teenager figuring things out wasn’t easy – she still faced hurdles along the way.

My manager called my mom and told her Disney wanted me to audition for something. I went in completely unprepared – it was like performing a monologue. I’ll never forget the casting director, Robbin Lippin, telling me I hadn’t prepared enough. It was embarrassing! But I’ve always enjoyed a challenge, so she asked me to come back the next day after practicing more, and I immediately agreed.

Can you believe the pressure? Just when Hilary Duff got a promising opportunity, she was asked to come back and prepare even more! But true to her professional spirit, she didn’t hesitate to rise to the challenge.

Hilary Duff faced some challenges before getting the part that would make her famous, but her audition story showed everyone she was perfectly suited for the role, which captured the experience of growing up.

I went back for the next audition having completely memorized the lines. I felt really confident and even enjoyed the improvisational parts. After a callback, I met with the producers, and they asked me about any unique skills I had. I started doing handstands – I used to do gymnastics – hoping to impress them. Surprisingly, it worked, and I got the job!

Disney+ offers a wide range of classic and beloved shows, including Lizzie McGuire. You can start streaming with ads for as little as $11.99 per month. For an ad-free experience, it’s $18.99 monthly, or you can save 16% by paying $189.99 for a full year. See the deal here!

Hilary Duff’s gymnastics background actually helped her land the role of Lizzie McGuire! The show famously featured a young Lizzie discovering she was talented at rhythmic gymnastics. And, Duff had plenty of experience with physical comedy and dancing throughout the series. It’s amazing to think her athletic skills were key to playing such a beloved Disney Channel character.

Hilary Duff didn’t have an easy path to landing the role of Lizzie McGuire – she was initially fired and didn’t nail her first audition. But those early challenges were worth it, as Lizzie McGuire launched her career as a popular actress and singer. You can now watch the beloved show on Disney+.

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2025-11-30 02:39