Haylie Duff

Biography

The older sister of actress and teen pop sensation Hilary Duff, Haylie Duff kicked off her career by focusing more on her skills in front of the camera than her talents behind a microphone. Though she would pen the occasional tune for her younger sibling, it was screen roles in such television hits as Chicago Hope, Boston Public, and (alongside her sister) Lizzie McGuire that first opened the eyes of the public to the talents of the ambitious rising starlet. Born just two years prior to her sister, Haylie made her screen debut alongside Hilary in the female Western True Women before branching out into features with supporting performances in Dreams in the Attic and I Love Your Work. It was during this period of her career that Haylie would contribute to the soundtracks of such films as A Cinderella Story, Stuck in the Suburbs, and Raising Helen, with a memorable performance in the cult hit Napoleon Dynamite serving well to offer her some indie exposure in addition to her mainstream success. A subsequent return to the small screen found Haylie making a notable impression in That's So Raven, Joan of Arcadia, and 7th Heaven, and in 2006 it was finally time to join Hilary on the big screen (as sisters no less) for the riches-to-rags comedy Material Girls. Also that same year, Haylie made her Broadway debut as the character Amber Von Tussle in the musical Hairspray. In 2008 Haylie hosted the MTV reality competition show Legally Blonde the Musical: The Search for Elle Woods, in which singers competed to star in the upcoming production of the Broadway musical of the hit film Legally Blonde. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Music Guide