Hilary Duff is opening up about a painful chapter in her personal life, revealing that her new song “We Don’t Talk” is inspired by her estrangement from her older sister, Haylie Duff.

The singer and actress became emotional while discussing the track during a Feb. 20 appearance on CBS Mornings, shortly after releasing her latest album, luck…or something. Duff confirmed what many fans had already suspected: the song reflects the distance that has grown between her and Haylie in recent years.

“It’s definitely about my sister,” Duff said through tears, describing the absence of their relationship as the loneliest part of her life right now. She shared that not having her sister in her world has been deeply isolating, calling the estrangement “the most lonely part of my existence.”

Duff admitted she initially struggled with the decision to include the song on the album because of how personal it is. Ultimately, however, she felt that being honest about her experiences was essential to creating a record that truly represents where she is in her life. She also found unexpected comfort in learning that many others have experienced similar fractures in close relationships.

As she explained, conversations with fans and acquaintances have revealed that estrangement among siblings or loved ones is more common than people often realize. That realization helped her feel less alone and reinforced her decision to share her story through music.

The rift between the Duff sisters has been the subject of speculation for years. The two, who were once frequently seen together at public events and on social media, have not been photographed together since 2019. Their online interactions have also noticeably declined.

Rumors of tension intensified earlier this year when Haylie liked a social media post from actress Ashley Tisdale discussing her departure from what she described as a “toxic mom group.” Hilary was reportedly connected to that circle, and shortly after the essay was published, Haylie and Tisdale were seen dining together in Malibu. While neither sister publicly addressed the speculation at the time, the perceived distancing fueled questions about the status of their relationship.

In “We Don’t Talk,” Duff reflects on the confusion and heartbreak surrounding the silence between them. The lyrics reference their shared upbringing and question how two people who grew up in the same home could end up so disconnected. She wonders whether things might have turned out differently if either of them had made other choices, describing the situation in the song as an “emotional eviction.”

Despite the vulnerability of the track, Duff emphasized that her intention is not to criticize or blame her sister. Instead, she sees the song as a reflection of her own feelings and experiences. As someone who has lived much of her life in the public eye since childhood, she acknowledged that keeping deeply personal matters private is often difficult. Still, she believes authenticity is important, especially when making an album centered on connection and truth.

Duff said she does not know whether Haylie will listen to the song or how she might react if she does. But she expressed that sharing her perspective felt healing. For Duff, including the track was about telling her story honestly, even when that story is complicated and painful.

Ultimately, the singer hopes that by opening up about her estrangement, she can foster empathy and connection with others navigating similar struggles in their own families.