Hilary Duff remembers Jennifer Coolidge's role as evil stepmom in "A Cinderella Story" as 'a little scary'

Hilary Duff recently revisited her experience working alongside Jennifer Coolidge in the 2004 teen romantic comedy A Cinderella Story. Two decades after filming, Duff recalled how Coolidges on-screen meanness made their stepmother-stepdaughter dynamic feel very real. At the time, Duff admitted it was challenging to separate the performance from personal behavior.

"She was, like, mean to me, so it was a little scary because I was only 15 and she was just mean to me because she's my evil stepmother," Duff shared in a Variety video interview. "I had to remind myself, 'You're filming a movie, you're filming a movie.'"

Duff also expressed admiration for Coolidges career achievements and her ability to fully commit to roles. "Watching her career has been amazing because she approaches everything so boldly. As a teenager, it was impressive and slightly intimidating," she said.

In A Cinderella Story, Duff played Sam, a young orphan mistreated by her stepmother (Coolidge) and stepsisters (Madeline Zima and Andrea Avery) following her fathers death. With the help of her friend and guardian, Rhonda (Regina King), Sam attends her school dance in a stunning gown and discovers her secret pen pal is popular quarterback Austin (Chad Michael Murray). After a series of mistaken identities, Sam ultimately finds love, inherits her fathers fortune, and secures her place at Princeton. Her step-family faces consequences for their inheritance fraud.

Since starring in the film, Duff has built a versatile career in both movies and television, including roles in Raise Your Voice, The Haunting of Sharon Tate, Younger, How I Met Your Father, and Gossip Girl. She is also preparing to relaunch her music career with a new album, Luck or Something, set for release next year, accompanied by a tour.

Jennifer Coolidge, meanwhile, has earned critical acclaim, winning two Emmy Awards for her performances in HBOs The White Lotus. Her extensive film and TV resume includes the American Pie series, Promising Young Woman, For Your Consideration, 2 Broke Girls, and The Watcher.

Reflections on the Legacy of A Cinderella Story: A Behind-the-Scenes Perspective

As Hilary Duff revisits her time working with Jennifer Coolidge in the 2004 teen classic *A Cinderella Story*, it's clear that the impact of their on-screen dynamic has remained with her over the years. Despite the passage of two decades, Duff's candid reflection reveals the challenge she faced in distinguishing the fictional animosity of Coolidge's character from her personal interactions. Duff was just 15 years old at the time, and Coolidge’s portrayal of the cruel stepmother was so convincing that it created a sense of real-life discomfort.

However, Duff also expresses admiration for Coolidge’s professional commitment. The intensity with which Coolidge embraced her role in *A Cinderella Story* was not only memorable but also inspiring to the young actress. In the interview, Duff reveals how Coolidge’s fearlessness in her craft left a lasting impression, shaping her own approach to acting and career. The respect Duff has for Coolidge’s achievements, particularly in recent years with *The White Lotus*, highlights the evolution of both actresses' careers and their enduring influence in Hollywood.

The continued success of both Duff and Coolidge is a testament to their talent and adaptability. While Duff has transitioned from teen roles to more mature characters on television, Coolidge’s late-career recognition is an inspiring story of resilience and reinvention. Their time together on *A Cinderella Story* marked the beginning of long and varied careers, and their legacy in the entertainment industry remains strong.

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• Hilary Duff recalls Jennifer Coolidge being 'mean to me' as evil stepmom on “A Cinderella Story”: 'A little scary'