Haylie Katherine Duff (born February 19, 1985) is a multifaceted American actress, singer, television personality, and director. Born in Houston, Texas, she is the older sister of actress and singer Hilary Duff.
Acting and Stage Career
Duff began her career in dance and landing a role in The Nutcracker Suite at age eight. She rose to prominence in the early 2000s with recurring roles as Amy Sanders in Lizzie McGuire and Sandy Jameson in 7th Heaven. She is perhaps most recognized for her role as Summer Wheatly in the cult classic film Napoleon Dynamite, which earned her a Teen Choice Award. Her diverse acting credits also include the film Material Girls, which she co-produced, and a Broadway debut as Amber Von Tussle in Hairspray in 2006.
The "Real Girl’s Kitchen" and Entrepreneurship
In 2012, Duff transitioned into the lifestyle space by starting her own food blog, Real Girl’s Kitchen. This venture expanded into a cookbook in 2013 and a popular Cooking Channel series that aired for two seasons (2014–2015). The show highlighted her "relaxing" and "adorable" cooking style, featuring creative recipes such as Black Bean Chocolate Cake, Cauliflower Buffalo Bites, and Watermelon Rosemary Lemonade.
Her entrepreneurial work extends to fashion; in 2017, she launched Little Moon Society, a children’s clothing line.
Transition to Directing
Recently, Duff has focused on work behind the camera. She made her directorial debut in 2023 with the TV movie Project Baby. Since then, she has helmed several thrillers, including Killing All My Sisters, The Neighbors Are Watching, and My Professor's Guide to Murder. As of late 2024, she was set to direct the TV movie A Reboot Gone Wrong.
Music and Songwriting
Duff has recorded numerous singles, often collaborating with her sister Hilary on soundtracks for films like A Cinderella Story and Material Girls. She is also a songwriter, having co-written several tracks for Hilary’s studio albums, Metamorphosis and Hilary Duff.
Personal Life and Recent Events
Haylie has been engaged to Matt Rosenberg since 2014, and they have two daughters, Ryan and Lulu. She has been open about the challenges of motherhood, citing the pressure to "do it right" as a significant struggle.
As of early 2026, media attention has focused on a public estrangement between Haylie and her sister, Hilary. Hilary confirmed their rift in February 2026, releasing a song titled "We Don't Talk" which she described as a "healing" expression of the "loneliest part" of her existence. While the exact cause of the rift has not been officially confirmed, some reports suggest a conflict involving their respective partners.
Philanthropy
Duff is an active supporter of various charitable causes, including:
• Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (fighting childhood cancer).
• Los Angeles Mission (supporting the homeless).
• Race to Erase MS.
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