Hilary Ann Duff, 28 September 1987, Houston, Texas, USA. The multi-talented Duff began her professional entertainment career at the tender age of six, when she landed a spot in The Nutcracker as part of the touring company, Columbus Ballet Met. Appearing in a US television commercial soon followed, that led to the youngster playing bit parts in several series during the later part of the 90s. Duff's hard work paid off when she obtained the lead role in the hit Disney Channel show, Lizzie McGuire, resulting in more television appearances, as well as movie roles (including, rather predictably, The Lizzie McGuire Movie). Shortly after the show became established, a Lizzie McGuire Original Television Soundtrack was assembled in summer 2002 that included a song sung by Duff, "I Can't Wait". A singing career soon followed, as she issued her very first solo album later the same year, the seasonal Santa Claus Lane. Duff's voice also graced several tracks on The Lizzie McGuire Movie Motion Picture Soundtrack that became a US Top 10 hit.

Already garnering comparisons to teen pop hit makers such as Britney Spears and Mandy Moore, Duff was hard at work the next year working on her second studio album. With a virtual "who's who" list of professional teen pop songwriters and producers employed, including Chico Bennett (Madonna, Usher, Destiny's Child), Matthew Gerrard (Nick Carter), John Shanks (Michelle Branch), and Kara DioGuardi (Celine Dion, Enrique Iglesias), Metamorphosis was issued during late summer 2003. The album was an immediate hit, quickly going gold and debuting at number 2 on the Billboard 200, before moving into the top slot the following week.
Duff maintained her high media profile in 2004 with starring roles in the popular movies A Cinderella Story and Raise Your Voice. She was also elected as the international spokesperson of the charity organization Kids With A Cause. Her self-titled third album debuted at number 2 on the Billboard 200 in October.