Hilary Duff surprised fans at her Madison Square Garden concert on Wednesday by bringing out her ex-boyfriend, Joel Madden, and his band Good Charlotte. The unexpected reunion occurred two decades after Duff and Madden dated between 2004 and 2006, a period when they were frequently featured in tabloids.
Madden, 47, and Duff, 38, have maintained a cordial relationship since their breakup. Duff noted in a 2023 appearance on "Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen" that she has a good relationship with Madden's wife, Nicole Richie, and their families, stating, "We actually hang out all the time."
Duff and Madden performed a rendition of Good Charlotte's 2002 hit "The Anthem." The appearance highlights the enduring friendship between the former couple and their respective families. Richie and Madden have been together for nearly 20 years, marrying in December 2010, and have two children. Duff married Matthew Koma in December 2019, and they have three daughters. Duff also has a son from a previous marriage.
Duff is currently on her "The Lucky Me Tour," which began on June 21 in Florida. The tour is scheduled to extend through New Zealand, Australia, Europe, and Mexico, concluding in February 2027.
In a 2007 interview with People, Madden spoke about maintaining respectful relationships with past partners, stating, "Every girl I’ve ever dated I have respect for, and I always try to leave them [on] good terms." He added, "I don't see the necessity to be friends with anyone you've dated but definitely out of respect of the time, you have to be kind of respectful and that's what I try to do."
Duff has previously expressed that she considers it an honor to have been a part of many people's childhoods, largely due to her role as the titular character in "Lizzie McGuire" (2001-2004) and her early music career. She noted the fan connection to her older songs, stating, "What’s been so fun about the live shows is realizing how much the old songs mean to people."