Hilary Duff says she was extremely scared of ‘mean’ co-star on this notable teen movie

Hilary Duff recently revealed that during the filming of her popular teen movie A Cinderella Story (2004), she was genuinely scared of one of her co-stars. At the time, Duff was just 15 years old, and Jennifer Coolidge, who played the evil stepmother, got so deeply into character that the fear Duff felt was real, See more…

Duff explained that Coolidge was “really mean” to her on set, making the filming experience intimidating for a teenager. However, she noted that it was all part of the role, and she often had to remind herself that it was just a movie

Despite the initial fear, Coolidge’s commitment and professionalism left a lasting impression on Duff. She said the way Coolidge fully embodied her character was “impressive and slightly intimidating” for a young actress, showing the undeniable talent Coolidge brings to every role.

More than 20 years later, Duff reflects on the experience with admiration for Coolidge’s career and the lessons she learned from that time. She describes the experience as an important part of her growth as an actress and a moment that helped shape her early career.