Citing creative differences, the Walt Disney Company has announced that it has split with its rising "Lizzie McGuire" star Hilary Duff, Reuters reports.
A studio representative says the company and the 15-year-old 'tween sensation have "gone their separate ways" after this month's talks to renew Duff's contract with Disney broke down, amid differences over the direction of her career.
"We gave them a very generous offer and unfortunately they passed. Hilary is a great girl and we truly wish her the best of luck," the Disney spokeswoman said.
Reuters could not reach Duff's attorney for comment.
The Texas native -- who starred in the Disney Channel's hit comedy TV series (which debuted in January 2001) and the recently released Disney movie of the same name -- will therefore not be starring in a proposed sequel to "The Lizzie McGuire Movie," the spokeswoman confirmed.
It has been reported that Duff's TV salary was $15,000 per episode and that she was paid $1 million for the movie, which since its May 2 premiere has generated $34 million at the domestic box office, according to Disney.
The Lizzie McGuire franchise is aimed at the same demographic group as the Olsen Twins -- that is, "'tween" audiences who are between adolescence and teen age, 9 to 14 years old. Like the Olsens, "Lizzie" also has her own line of books, clothing and music.
A Disney Channel spokesman said there were no plans to produce new episodes of "Lizzie McGuire" but that reruns would air.
'Lizzie McGuire' Star Divorces Disney
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