Travis Carr wrote a great opinion piece on AC about “Hilary Duff’s Indie Makeover.” The article talks about how Hilary has used independent films to break out of her “Disney” image.

The article begins with Hilary Duff in 2003, a “preeminent teen queen”, star of teen flicks such as The Lizzie McGuire Movie, and Cheaper by the Dozen. They talk about how, since then, her movies have done well (though not as well) and her music has been well reviewed, though her CDs didn’t sell as well.

However, the article gives praise for Hilary Duff for her next moves - for taking control of her movie career, rather than fading away as a teen star. Hilary Duff has used independent film to change her career path. From War, Inc, to What Goes Up, Stay Cool and Greta, as well as the films she’s working on this summer: Provinces of Night, A Great Education and The Story of Bonnie and Clyde.

“Duff has officially moved on from her Disney past and her indie reinvention could very well have saved her career.”

Oddly enough, I think today’s Disney stars have an easier time of breaking out of the “Disney” mould than stars like Hilary Duff did. They seem to be able to transition into non-kid roles earlier, and be taken more seriously in their music (aiming at mainstream pop, rather than teen pop, right away), than Hilary Duff did. Just look at Miley Cyrus or Demi Lovato! I wonder why they have it easier??

Also, check out these photos of Hilary Duff back in LA at the gym on July 3rd.

Image: Newscom

Hilary Duff has been named as ambassador for the youth for the city of Bogota in Colombia. According to the Mayor of Bogota, Hilary Duff will be coming to the city sometime between August 1 and August 15 to be a guest of honor.

This honor was brought about as Blessings in a Backpack, the charity Hilary Duff has been ambassador of for some time now, plans to take the program to new levels. The charity will be promoted around Bogota in school and community diners, with the mayor saying that Hilary was inspired by existing feeding campaigns in the city.

The Blessings in a Backpack program, in Bogota, will also be encouraging participation in vaccination programs.

Translation: ONTD ; Image: splashnewsonline.com

Meghan McCain, daughter of US Presidential candidate Senator John McCain, apparently wants Hilary Duff to play her in any future movie roles! The NY Daily News has Meghan quoted as saying, “I want Hilary Duff to play me. I think she’s really hot - hotter than me - but I’d still want her to play me.”

Of course, whether or not there will even be a movie about the Presidential race is still up in the air. Considering, however, how popular those movies are, I’m thinking we’ll see at least one in the years to come. In this case, Meghan is hoping the movie will be based on a book she’s currently in the process of writing.

Who knows, maybe Hilary Duff will play Meghan McCain, though honestly that sounds like a boring role
Images: PR Photos & Newscom

I know a lot of you, like me, would like to see some new photos of Hilary Duff! Well, I’m not actually sure where she is! Last we heard, she was on vacation in Hawaii. Now, whether that’s the case or not, it’s unclear…

VegasBill tweeted that Hilary & Mike were seen in Las Vegas celebrating a birthday for a friend

UK’s E! reports that Hilary & Mike were seen back in Toluca Lake, where it’s rumored a Fake Bake service came to their house to touch up their tans.

Maybe both of these rumors are true, and maybe neither of them are! I’ll wait until we see proof in the photos and videos!

Image: splashnewsonline.com

Hilary Duff will be appearing in a multi-episode guest arc on CW’s hit Gossip Girl when it begins Season 3 this Fall. Hilary Duff’s first appearance on the series will be in the fourth episode, slated to air on October 5, 2009.

Hilary Duff in “Ghost Whisperer” and “Law & Order: SVU”

Hilary Duff, who had strongly-promoted guest spots this year on Ghost Whisperer and on Law & Order: SVU, will take on the character of Olivia Burke on Gossip Girl, a movie star who enrols at NYU in order to have a ‘traditional college experience.’ According to Ausiello, Hilary Duff will room with Vanessa (Jessica Szohr), to which Ausiello quips: “so it’s safe to say she’ll be majoring in Drama!”

E! reports that Hilary’s character, Olivia, has more ‘normal’ dreams outside of her college experience. She also wants to date a ’simple, nonfamous guy’. That guy… Dan Humphrey (Penn Badgley)! Apparenly, Dan will become interested in Olivia, though he has no idea she’s famous. Things could get serious for the couple!

Hilary Duff had a holding deal with NBC to develop a new series. One of the shows Hilary was considering was Barely Legal, a comedy series. However, Hilary never announced which series she was interested in developing, so likely a decision was not made in time for the 2009 pilot season. It’s unclear if Hilary is still planning to develop a series for NBC for 2010.

What do you think about Hilary Duff joining Gossip Girl?

Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS ©2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. / NBC Photo: Will Hart

If you had looked closely at the last photo of Hilary Duff in her bikini in Hawaii from the adds I posted yesterday, you will have noticed that Hilary Duff has a new tattoo written across her side in a simple script. The tattoo reads “ma petite amie.” In this spelling, it refers to a close female friend, reading either “my little friend” (literal) or “my girlfriend” (proper meaning). Since this probably doesn’t apply to Mike, I’m thinking maybe it’s meant to be about her sister, Haylie. What do you think?

This is Hilary Duff’s second tattoo. The first tattoo, which is on her foot, is a more stylized script that reads “Let it Be.”

Here are some more photos of Hilary Duff on her Hawaii vacation with Mike Comrie. I’ve yet to find any photos with Mike in them, so he stays well hidden. I’m also surprised the couple have managed to continue their vacation without more paparazzi photos. Good for them!!

It looks like Hilary had a great time in the water (though she does look cold!!) Read more

Since Hilary Duff was getting a lot of positive press for her fantastic curves in the black bikini she wore on her Hawaiian vacation, I thought it would be fun to look back at how Hilary’s bikini bod has changed over time!

Hilary Duff in June 2009

This photo was taken when Hilary & Mike Comrie were on vacation in Hawaii.

Hilary Duff in January 2009

This photo was taken from Hilary’s vacation with Mike to the Bahamas. Read more

Did Aaron Carter write a song about Hilary Duff? Chances are, he did! Aaron Carter’s latest single, Let Go, may have been written for Hilary. Aaron reportedly Tweeted “I wrote this song about Hilary. Wow Really? This Long?“, but the tweet was later removed. Here’s his new song, which has been put to a Hilary Duff image by a great fan!

Of course, he could just be joking about the whole thing too. If you recall, Hilary Duff and Aaron Carter dated in 2001.

Hilary Duff’s bikini bod in Hawaii made the news! E! put together a segment on Hilary’s “womanly curves”, admiring her for not being too thing. They call Hilary a “curvy cutie”:

I think if this was anyone other than Hilary Duff, they’d criticize her for her weight now. But people love Hilary and don’t spin negative gossip about her just because it spikes their ratings. And really, she’s not overweight. Hilary looks fantastic!!