Chad Michael Murray believed he had remained on the sidelines of the long-standing narrative about the alleged rivalry between his former co-stars, Hilary Duff and Lindsay Lohan, until recent events brought him into the spotlight. The actor found himself at the center of attention after Duff's candid revelations on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast last month ignited a frenzy among fans.
Duff's Confession and Accusation
During her appearance on the popular podcast, Hilary Duff admitted to intentionally crashing the 2003 premiere of Lindsay Lohan's movie "Freaky Friday" out of spite. She described Lohan as her "childhood nemesis," shedding light on a feud that has captivated public interest for decades. However, Duff also suggested that Murray, her co-star in the 2004 film "A Cinderella Story," might have been attempting to stir the pot by inviting her to the premiere as his date.
Murray's Firm Denial
Appearing on Virgin Radio Toronto's "Daryn & Deepa Mornings" this week, Chad Michael Murray shot down Duff's claim emphatically. He stated that he "didn't know there was a feud" at the time he extended the invitation. "How was I supposed to know there was a feud? I found out quickly after," he explained during the interview.
Murray elaborated on the context, recalling that they were filming "A Cinderella Story" and had a significant kissing sequence approaching. "They wanted our characters to kind of get to know each other ... and so we started spending time together, it was great. She's super sweet," he said, referring to Duff.
He further emphasized his ignorance of any underlying drama, adding, "And by the way, I didn't understand that there was drama or that that would even cause a thing. Nowadays, I can understand that we're so kind of in the know with social media that you're like, 'Oh, if you do that, it's obvious.' Back then, it wasn't obvious that it was a thing. I just thought two people are going to go hang out, cool."
Background of the Duff-Lohan Feud
Hilary Duff and Lindsay Lohan rose to prominence in the early 2000s as teen stars on Disney Channel. Duff starred in "Lizzie McGuire," while Lohan gained fame with "The Parent Trap." The purported beef between them reportedly began around 2002 when fellow actor and singer Aaron Carter ended his romance with Duff to begin dating Lohan.
Although Carter eventually split from both women, Duff and Lohan continued to exchange barbs in the media for several years. This culminated in a notable 2004 "Saturday Night Live" skit where Lohan appeared alongside a caricature of Duff in "Lizzie McGuire" mode, played by comedian Rachel Dratch.
Recent Developments and Reconciliation
Fortunately, relationships have mended over time. Hilary Duff seemed to be on good terms with Aaron Carter prior to his tragic death in 2022. In her "Call Her Daddy" conversation, she also confirmed that she and Lindsay Lohan patched things up after a surprise encounter at a club, indicating a resolution to their long-standing feud.
On a professional note, Chad Michael Murray reprised his role as Jake Austin, the former love interest of Lohan's character Anna Coleman, in the 2025 sequel "Freakier Friday." He currently stars in The CW romance series "Sullivan's Crossing," continuing his acting career beyond the drama of the past.
