Hilary Duff’s Teenage Romance Resurfaces Amid Music Return

Fans are outraged by Hilary Duff‘s past relationship with Good Charlotte’s frontman, Joel Madden. 

The Disney alum’s teenage romance with the rock star recently resurfaced, sparking criticisms about their massive age gap. The former couple started dating when Duff was 16 and Madden was 25.

Hilary Duff’s past relationship with Joel Madden resurfaced hours after she teased her return to music.

The singer’s teenage romance with Madden resurfaced on Reddit after someone noticed the shocking hints Duff dropped in a 2015 Cosmopolitan. She was asked when she lost her V card, seemingly implying it happened during her relationship with the rockstar.

“I had a 26-year-old boyfriend. So everyone can make their own assumptions about what I was doing,” Duff said. Her words sparked backlash against Madden, whom many deemed a cradle robber. On the other hand, some were disgusted by how normal it was to ask celebrities private questions in the past.

“It’s gross how these age gaps were normalized back then. I don’t remember if there was any outrage over this relationship,” a Redditor wrote.

Another agreed, noting they initially saw Duff and Madden as a “cool couple” before growing up. “Now that I’m older, I’m disturbed that a grown man would not only date a teenager, but flaunt their relationship around,” they added.

Many seemed to be on Duff’s side, stressing that Madden should have known better than to date a teenager. A Redditor put themselves in the singer’s shoes, claiming they had been in a similar situation at 16 when they dated a 23-year-old.

“Those age gaps felt so normal then. Now I’m almost 29, and it breaks my heart. Just disgusting,” they lamented.

The criticisms against Madden continued, with someone pointing out that his daughter was “now older than Hilary was when they first started dating.” A fan labeled the rock star a “predator,” while another claimed they were more “grossed out” by the interviewer’s virginity question.

Others were shocked by the amicable relationship between Duff, Madden, and their respective spouses, with someone describing their bond as “crazy.” The comment was on the mark as the singer has repeatedly flaunted her friendship with her ex and his wife, Nicole Richie.

Duff caused a stir in February 2022 when she shared a picture of her group date with her husband, Matthew Koma, Madden, and his wife, Richie. They were joined by other pals, but fans could not help but be shocked as Duff and her ex posed side-by-side with their respective spouses.

The TV personality addressed the group date a year later on a January 2023 appearance on “Watch What Happens Live.” She told the host she had a great relationship with her ex-boyfriend and his wife. Duff revealed they spent quality time together because they were friends and neighbors.

Duff and Madden dated from 2004 to 2006, per PEOPLE. The Disney alum tied the knot to her husband in December 2019 and welcomed two daughters. She also shares a son with retired NHL star Mike Comrie, with whom she was married from 2010 to 2016.

Besides Madden, Duff made waves for dating famous faces in the industry. The list includes the late singer Aaron Carter, with whom she was in an on-and-off-again relationship from 2000 to 2003. Following news of his death in November 2022, she honored his memory with a poignant post.

Duff reportedly dated actor Frankie Muniz after hitting it off on the set of the movie “Agent Cody Banks.” She was linked to Madden after their relationship ended before finding love again in the arms of her ex-husband. Duff and Comrie began dating in 2007 before tying the knot in 2010.

Following their divorce, Duff confirmed she was in a relationship with personal trainer Jason Walsh in October 2016. She went Instagram official with their romance, sharing a steamy kiss. Duff claimed their relationship was her “first more serious” romance since her ex-husband, per In Touch.