Hilary Duff has revealed intimate details about the dissolution of her first marriage to retired NHL player Mike Comrie, disclosing that she was still legally married when she began recording music with her future second husband, Matthew Koma. The former Disney Channel star, now 38, started work on her fifth studio album, "Breathe In. Breathe Out.," with Koma back in 2013, while still wedded to Comrie.
The Timeline of Separation and Divorce
The couple, who had been married for less than four years, decided to separate in 2014. However, their divorce proceedings were not officially finalized until 2016, creating a complex personal and professional period for the actress and singer. Duff described the situation as reaching a point where continuing the marriage simply wasn't feasible anymore.
A Collaborative Decision
During a recent appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast, Duff emphasized that her divorce from Comrie was a mutual decision. "I think he was good with it because I was like, 'Here's this, this, this.' And he was like, 'Great,'" she explained. The singer noted that this amicable approach predated the popular concept of "conscious uncoupling" that later gained cultural traction.
Duff was particularly mindful of avoiding the acrimonious divorce experience her own parents had endured. "My parents went through such a bad divorce that calling it made it really painful," she shared. "But like, we are not together anymore, so obviously it was bad enough that it just wasn't working."
Prioritizing Their Child
The couple's primary concern throughout the separation was their young son, Luca Cruz Comrie, who was not yet two years old at the time. Duff recalled making extraordinary efforts to maintain a peaceful co-parenting relationship. "I remember doing everything in my power to have it be peaceful and have us hanging out and spending time together," she said.
Rather than simple drop-off and pick-up arrangements, the former couple would frequently visit parks together or share meals to create a comfortable environment for their son. "It was really important to me to do it in a way that Luca could feel comfy," Duff emphasized. She acknowledged the emotional challenge, stating, "It was a really scary time to just not want to f*** up your kid."
Life After Divorce
Following the separation, Duff engaged in extensive therapy while navigating new relationships with personal trainer Jason Walsh and Love Machine co-founder Ely Sandvik. She eventually found lasting partnership with musician Matthew Koma, whom she married in 2017 after their professional collaboration turned romantic.
The couple now resides in a $3.85 million five-bedroom Beverly Hills home where they are raising their three daughters: Banks, age seven; Mae, age four; and Townes, just 21 months old. Despite the challenges of her first marriage, Duff maintains an amicable relationship with Comrie, with the two most recently photographed together at their son's soccer match in Beverly Hills this past January.
Professional Renaissance
On the professional front, Duff is preparing for her first world tour in nearly two decades. The 57-date "The Lucky Me Tour" is scheduled to commence on June 21-22 at the iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach, Florida. The tour features an all-female lineup of opening acts, including English synth-pop artist La Roux along with Canadian singers Lauren Spencer Smith and Jade LeMac.
Before embarking on the tour, Duff will conclude her sold-out Las Vegas mini-residency at the Voltaire inside The Venetian Resort in late May. The multi-talented entertainer, who originally rose to fame playing the titular character in the Disney Channel series Lizzie McGuire and its 2003 film adaptation, continues to maintain significant popularity with 4.1 million monthly listeners on Spotify.
Reflecting on her personal journey, Duff offered perspective for others facing similar circumstances: "Your kids are going to be okay. You gotta fight for yourself and it doesn't matter that you have kids." Her experience demonstrates that even high-profile divorces can be navigated with cooperation and mutual respect, particularly when children's wellbeing remains the central focus.
