As a lifestyle enthusiast, I can relate when feelings don’t align with reality. Take the Lizzie McGuire reboot, for instance – even though we knew deep down it wasn’t going to be what we hoped for, that knowledge didn’t stop our hearts from yearning for the original magic. And trust me, it only intensifies the disappointment.
It wasn’t until years after the show was canceled prematurely that we eventually discovered the mature storyline that would have been developed around Hilary Duff’s main character.
In her early thirties and residing in New York City, Lizzie has been working as an interior designer there while also dating a particularly attractive chef. As writer Jonathan Hurwitz explained in a 2024 TikTok post, Lizzie learns that this man she’s dating has been unfaithful to her with her closest friend.
However, it isn’t Miranda, played by Lalaine, that she grows up with as her best friend. Instead, she goes back to California, where she reconnects with her animated self and Gordo, whom she shared a kiss at the end of 2003’s “The Lizzie McGuire Movie,” portrayed by Adam Lamberg.
In the second installment, Jonathan clarified that character Gordo disclosed his engagement to a woman who is expecting their child. As a result, it is clear that Lizzie and Gordo were not destined to be together in this particular storyline.
Which brings us to her childhood crush Ethan Craft (Clayton Snyder).
In an unreleased episode, I found myself awake in Ethan’s water polo shirt, a situation I recollect vividly. As animated Lizzie appeared, she presented a quirky checklist, much like a to-do list. To my surprise, I was on that list and she ticked it off. With a hint of satisfaction, she announced something along the lines of, ‘Well, that box has been checked.’ A dramatic pause followed. ‘Twice,’ she added.
Have you ever experienced such a stunning evening before? Well, as we reminisce over what might have been, let’s revisit some treasured moments and unravel 21 hidden gems from the original show.
The initial name of the series was “What’s Lizzie Thinking?” and when it was first proposed to Disney, it didn’t include the well-known animated Lizzie narration by Hilary Duff; instead, Hilary provided a regular voiceover.
2. Apart from Duff, other actresses who auditioned for the role of Lizzie included Lindsay Lohan (who would later become Duff’s rival due to their shared love triangle with Aaron Carter), Sarah Paxton, and Hailee Hirsh. In the end, it was Duff who landed the role, but producer Stan Rogow mentioned to TopMob News that all of their choices were “outstanding” and had them “looking forward to presenting to the network as potential Lizzies.”
3. In an interview with TopMob News, Duff admitted that she did poorly during her audition because she hadn’t memorized her lines: “I winged it.” Before securing her breakout role, she was on the verge of giving up acting, but the show’s creator, Terri Minsky, recognized her potential and contacted her.
In my professional opinion, I candidly shared with them, “It’s crucial for you to delve deeper into your character,” I emphasized to TopMob, as I recognized the immense potential hidden within.
4. One possible explanation for why Duff secured the role could be her unique sense of fashion. According to Disney’s former entertainment president, Rich Ross, during the casting for Lizzie McGuire, “Duff was called in four times. She wasn’t doing anything wrong. She simply wore such stylish outfits, and we were intrigued by what she would wear next.” Duff herself admitted that she used her clothing to distinguish herself from the multitude of other auditionees.
5. A recollection that the show Lizzie aired on Disney Channel: At first, the network resisted when the writers proposed an episode about Lizzie buying her first bra. The executives reportedly exclaimed, “Oh my god, you can’t do that!” according to TopMob. It was somewhat revolutionary at the time.
6. Indeed, that specific episode is particularly noteworthy for Duff. She mentioned in an interview with TODAY, “I truly believe that the bra episode is one that remains vividly in my memory as something quite intriguing. To begin with, I found a bra fascinating because I thought it was cool. Then, secondly, I was like, ‘How on earth am I going to acquire this? I need to discuss this with my parents, and I’m dreading that conversation because it’s going to be the most awkward thing ever.’
7. Initially, Ethan (Clayton Snyder) was portrayed as the typical high school sports star in the storyline, but he later developed feelings for Lizzie. Interestingly, it was Danny Kessler (played by Byron Fox) who was initially intended to be The Guy, as revealed by writer Nina Bargiel.
She shared with the Feminist Disney Tumblr account that there was another boy who seemed dreamy, but he wasn’t accessible. Since we needed a fresh option, Ethan was already present, so we simply emphasized and developed him instead.
8. Meanwhile, as Lizzie yearned for Ethan, it turned out that Adam Lamberg’s character, Gordo (one of Disney Channel’s finest boys, let’s not argue about it), harbored secret feelings for his best friend. After two seasons and a movie, the audience was rewarded with their first kiss, suggesting that these two friends might have formed a romantic relationship.
As a die-hard fan, I couldn’t help but sense the longing for Lizzie and Gordo to unite. It had become evident that their story was approaching its final destination with the Lizzie McGuire series winding down. So, in an effort to offer fans a satisfying conclusion, we ensured there was a memorable farewell stop on this emotional journey.
After the movie was released, its ending marked Lizzie’s final appearance in the series, as it stands canonically.
The movie’s ending signified Lizzie’s last appearance in the series and is considered the canonical end.
9. During an interview with MTV, Snyder confessed that he spent the most time on his hair and makeup compared to anyone else in the cast, to create Ethan’s iconic long, flowing hair. “I sported a curly, shaggy hairstyle off-set, and I took longer than the girls did in hair and makeup to make it as sleek and straight as possible,” he explained. “They tamed it with products, hairspray, and straightening irons, among other things.
10. Following their graduation from middle school, it was intended that Lizzie McGuire would transition to ABC for a prime-time sitcom portraying her high school experiences with her friends, along with filming a follow-up to the successful movie. Unfortunately, intense contract discussions led to Disney and Duff ending their partnership.
Disney Studios’ then-production chief Nina Jacobson expressed to Entertainment Weekly that they deeply wished to carry on with the “Lizzie” series. However, every agreement has its limit, a point where it no longer benefits, which is sadly where we found ourselves in the talks for “Lizzie”. Consequently, we were forced to part ways.
11. Nonetheless, in an open discussion with EW, Duff’s mother and former manager Susan Duff expressed her thoughts, stating, “Disney believed they could force us to accept any offer they proposed, but they couldn’t. We opted out of a sequel. Disney abandoned a franchise. We didn’t feel the affection…they weren’t showing Hilary the recognition she merited.
Duff’s attorney also expressed their stance on behalf of the teen star, releasing this statement to The Los Angeles Times: “Disney’s aggressive business practices and their refusal to compensate our client fairly compared to other studios and networks led to the collapse of negotiations with the Duffs. Although the Lizzie McGuire series may be concluded for Disney, Hilary Duff’s career remains robust.
12. Following the sudden conclusion of Lizzie, producers crafted a pilot focusing on Stevie, Miranda’s unconventional younger sibling, portrayed by Selena Gomez.
Similar to Lizzie, Stevie’s inner thoughts might be expressed by an animated counterpart. That year, two proposals were presented to Disney Channel, and they chose not to proceed with the project featuring Gomez over the other one – Hannah Montana. Later on, Gomez secured the lead role in The Wizards of Waverly Place, which turned out to be her breakthrough performance.
13. At its peak, the show Lizzie McGuire was generating approximately $100 million in sales from merchandise such as clothing, books, soundtracks and more. It was both the highest rated and most successful series on Disney Channel, with an average of 2 million viewers per episode. Notably, it aired every day of the week (with ABC also airing it on Saturday mornings).
14. After years of gossip and hints, it was confirmed in August 2019 that Disney+ is bringing back the popular show “Lizzie McGuire”. Hilary Duff will reprise her famous character, and the original creator will supervise the streaming series. The storyline will follow a 30-year-old Lizzie as she maneuvers through life in New York City.
15. (Originally) kept secret, a picture from the initial table reading unveiled that the McGuire family, portrayed by actors Hallie Todd, Robert Carradine, and Jake Thomas, would reprise their roles as Lizzie’s parents and her mischievous younger brother Matt in the upcoming production.
16. Unfortunately for Lizzie and Gordo fans, they won’t be dating in the revival, as Lizzie is engaged to someone else and Lamberg will reprise his role. Duff shared with Vulture, “I think it was that tension that made their relationship so intriguing…that one person you wonder, ‘Was he the one? Is it ever going to be?'” She added, “It’s that lingering question that makes it hurt a little for everyone, and it will continue to do so.
Sadly, the series didn’t develop as planned, with Duff announcing this disappointing update in December 2020, following Minsky’s departure due to creative disagreements.
Despite our best attempts to revive the show, it’s unfortunate that it won’t be happening,” Duff said after urging Disney+ to transfer the series to Hulu. “We can all grieve for the incredible character she would have become and the thrilling journeys we would have embarked on together. I share in everyone’s disappointment, but rest assured, everyone did their utmost best. This is just the way 2020 seems to be.
18. Cardi B, a fervent admirer of Lizzie McGuire, expressed the significant impact the movie had on her at Vogue’s Forces of Fashion event.
Have you watched the Hilary Duff film titled ‘The Lizzie McGuire Movie‘? There’s a tune in it which I often play mentally whenever I attend an event I’ve longed to go to. As a matter of fact, she mentioned that song makes her feel this way each time she attends fashion events: ‘Hey now, hey now, this is what dreams are made of.’ That’s how I feel every time I receive invitations to these fashion events.
19. As an ardent admirer, I can’t help but reminisce about “The Lizzie McGuire Movie,” which turned out to be a delightful surprise when it graced our screens in May 2003. It made its grand entrance at the box office, standing second only to “X2: X-Men United,” and eventually amassed an impressive total of over $50 million!
20. It’s true that many fans were disappointed when Miranda wasn’t in the movie or appeared less often in the final episodes of the show, as her family went on a long vacation. However, this was because Lalaine decided to concentrate on her musical career instead.
21. Following her stint as Lizzie that catapulted her into teen idol status, several fans found it unexpected when Duff decided to temporarily step away from acting.
In a 2015 interview with PrideSource, she stated, “People thought I was completely insane due to my success and wealth. It was terrifying because there was no assurance about the longevity of my career. Personally, it was crucial for me. I spent my childhood in the limelight, on tour, and with everyone already knowing me and having a preconceived notion of who I am. At some point, I wondered, ‘Am I still that person? Do I even have the chance to discover who I’ve become?’
She confessed that being called Lizzie sometimes felt “painful” or “unbearable”. However, she enjoyed it during the filming process. What bothered her was the unexpected success of the show, which made her still be identified as Lizzie McGuire even after the show ended, and this became quite bothersome. Now, she doesn’t mind it anymore.
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2025-01-12 15:18