Being multitalented and smart, HILARY DUFF continues to ride the wave of success!

• Check out Hilary's new movie with FRANKIE MUNIZ: Agent Cody Banks. • Log onto Kids With a Cause to find out what teen celebs like Hilary are doing to make a difference. • Turn to NewsClick's Archives for good news and college-thinking views. WIN a HILARY DUFF-Autographed Lizzie McGuire CD WIN IT! Tell us what you think!

Movie Mania for Hilary
By Carole J. Brandi
February/March 2003

The CollegeBound Network NewsClick -- HILARY DUFF is excited she's going to high school this fall, because her character is, too! When Lizzie McGuire was voted Favorite Television Series at Nickelodeon's 15th Annual Kids' Choice Awards, it was truly a case of art imitating life. After all, being multitalented and smart, Hilary continues to ride her wave of success co-starring with FRANKIE MUNIZ in Agent Cody Banks (opens on March 14th).

In the new teen spy flick, she'll play (you guessed it!) prep' school student Natalie Connors. A government agent trains Cody to save the world, and getting close to Natalie is part of his assignment.

Movies might be on her plate right now, but Hilary's first venture out of character was singing. Since her debut song "I Can't Wait" from the gold Lizzie McGuire soundtrack went over in a big way last year, she was asked to record "Why Not?" for The Lizzie McGuire Movie, to be released in May. In that flick, Lizzie graduates from junior high school and heads to Italy for the school trip of a lifetime before embarking on her high school journey. Along the way, she'll fall for an Italian pop star and have lots of other surprises in store. And, like the television show, Lizzie's inner thoughts will be represented on the screen in the form of an animated version of herself.

NewsClick got some inside info on the "real" Lizzie McGuire's inner thoughts...

NewsClick: How do you feel about being a role model?
Hilary: I don't really think of it like that. I'm just me. My older sister has always been a role model to me.

NewsClick: What advice would you give to teens about pursuing their dreams?
Hilary: If you really want something, you have to stick with it. Don't give up, because it takes a lot of time to actually get somewhere. You have to sacrifice a lot, and you have to be able to handle rejection well.

NewsClick: Who is your dream celebrity mentor?
Hilary: CAMERON DIAZ because she's done so many different movies and has a really good range.

NewsClick: What's your fave way to kick back?
Hilary: Shopping! My favorite [store] is Bebe.