NEWSHilary Duff Makes Surprise Reunion With Her Ex-Boyfriend
Hilary Duff and Joel Madden surprised fans with a reunion 20 years after their breakup.
Aug. 7 2026, Published 6:34 a.m. ET
Hilary Duff recently surprised her fans by reuniting with her ex-boyfriend Joel Madden.
The singer is currently on her historic Lucky Me comeback world tour. She made a two-night stop at Madison Square Garden in New York on August 5 and 6. During one of her sold-out shows at the venue, she welcomed her ex-boyfriend onstage.
Hilary Duff Reunited With Joel Madden in Front of Thousands of People
Hilary Duff reunited with Joel Madden during her MSG concert on August 5.
The Lizzie McGuire star changed into an oversized Good Charlotte T-shirt midway through her show on Wednesday, August 5, per Page Six.
She then made an announcement that sent the already roaring crowd over the edge with renewed enthusiasm.
“New York, you know I would never come here and not have a surprise for you,” she said.
Hilary Duff was joined by Joel Madden and Benji Madden on stage.
“I brought two of my dearest friends to New York City tonight,” she continued, before adding, “Talk about some day oners.”
“Can you please give the warmest welcome to my friends, Good Charlotte?” Duff said while her ex-boyfriend, his identical twin brother Benji Madden, and the rest of their bandmates appeared on the stage.
The former couple went on to perform the band’s iconic 2002 song “The Anthem” with guitar backing from Benji.
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Hilary Duff and Joel Madden Share a Close Bond Even After Two Decades Since Their Split
Hilary Duff and Joel Madden dated from 2004 to 2006.
The exes posed for photos backstage, where they were joined by the “So Yesterday” singer's husband, Matthew Koma and Joel’s wife, Nicole Richie. Benji, too, posed along with the two couples and later shared the photo on his Instagram Stories with the caption, “Family night @MSG.”
“CONGRATS @hilaryduff @matthewkoma @nicolerichie @joelmadden 🍾🎉🤟♥️🙏, love y'all 🍾🍾🍾🍾🎉🎉🎉” he added.
The former couple dated from 2004 to 2006, but they have remained close friends in the years since their breakup, particularly after Joel and Nicole became neighbors with Hilary and Matthew.
The pop star revealed the same during her 2023 appearance on Andy Cohen's “Watch What Happens Live.”
She also noted that “I have a good relationship with their whole family.”
Hilary Duff and Matthew Koma share a close bond with Joel Madden and Nicole Richie.
“I think people were [blown away]. We’re neighbors, and we actually hang out all the time,” she added.
She also admitted that she and her husband take regular hiking trips with her ex and his wife and that they have a “lovely” friendship.
The two couples previously attracted attention after paparazzi photographed them enjoying a dinner in Los Angeles. She told Cohen during their conversation that the dinner was not an unusual occurrence.
Matthew, too, has made jokes about Joel and Hilary’s past romantic connection.
He shared an old photo of the two of them on his Instagram Stories in March 2023 to celebrate the Good Charlotte frontman’s birthday.
“It’s not even that weird that you dated my wife @joelmadden,” he wrote in the caption.
“It just makes me feel closer to you,” he added.
