Hilary Duff, the teen world's tv sensation, turned movie star, turned pop rocker, has now received an endorsement to star on a different type of stage. On July 19th 2005, actor, producer and author Rikki Lee Travolta together with his wife Sonia took their daughter Jessica Sara to Duff's concert at Chicago's All State Arena. Others in the audience included Governor Rod Blagojevich and his family. Duff's current tour is tied to her "Most Wanted" CD - to be released in stores on August 16th. Travolta, who is considered one of the Top Three world-wide stars of Andrew Lloyd Webber's hit musical 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat' gave Duff a resounding endorsement to take to the Broadway stage. He said:

Hilary would be a natural as Belle on Broadway in 'Beauty and the Beast' for Disney Theatricals.

It would add a whole new level of respect to her career and would be so fun to see.

With Hilary's love of both music and acting, I'd love to see her tackle Broadway.

Duff is the star of the Disney Channel series "Lizzie McGuire" and is signed to Disney-owned Hollywood Records.

Based on the Disney movie of the same name, "Beauty and the Beast" is produced by Disney's live theater production division, Disney Theatricals.

"Casting Hilary Duff on Broadway would make fantastic financial sense for Disney in terms of opening up cross over interest between Broadway fans and Hilary's television, music, and film audience," Travolta added. "And it would make fantastic sense for Hilary because it would give her young career a firm legitimacy that would ensure she continues to be respected for years to come."

'Beauty and the Beast' ranks as the fourth highest grossing musical of all time and the sixth longest running Broadway musical in history.

Christy Carlson Romano who voices the Disney Channel character "Kim Possible" and appears on the network's "Even Stevens" has played the role of Belle for Disney Theatricals, bringing new cross over audiences to the Broadway musical.

Hilary Duff's Other Projects

Duff has starred in several successful movies, including Agent Cody Banks and A Cinderella Story, and the moving family comedy co-starring Steve Martin, Bonnie Hunt, and Tom Welling Cheaper by the Dozen.

Duff recently completed filming of "Cheaper By the Dozen 2," a sequel to the 2003 film which once again stars Duff along with Martin, Hunt and Welling.

On film, Duff sang on the A Cinderella Story soundtrack, as well as on The Lizzie McGuire Movie soundtrack.

Yes, Joel Madden is Hilary's Boyfriend

Personally, the seventeen year-old pop princess admitted this week to MTV that she is dating twenty-six year-old, Joel Madden, the lead singer of the punk rock band Good Charlotte.

Good Charlotte became famous around the globe when they released their hit single "Lifestyles of the Rich and the Famous" followed by the 3x-platinum hit "The Young and The Hopeless".

Duff told MTV:

I'm really happy right now. I think and hope he is as well. I feel really lucky to have him, but we try not to talk about it too much...

I learned so much more about music. Joel has totally changed my taste in music, friendships and loyalty.

He's changed me and my friendships.

Hilary and Joel's first public appearance is expected to be at the MTV Video Music Awards in August on the verge of Hilary's 18th birthday.

"Most Wanted" CD

Duff's upcoming "Most Wanted" CD includes three new tracks and remixed versions of her previous hits.

Track listings include:

1. Wake Up

2. The Getaway

3. Beat Of My Heart

4. Come Clean (Remix 2005)

5. Mr. James Dean

6. So Yesterday

7. Metamorphosis

8. Rock This World (Remix 2005)

9. Break My Heart

10. Fly

11. Girl Can Rock (Remix 2005)

12. Our Lips Are Sealed

13. Why Not (Remix 2005)

Madden and his twin brother, Benji contributed to Hilary's greatest hits collection. Joel co-wrote and co-produced a number of tracks for the record.

A Teenage Role Model Parents Can Promote

Hilary Duff is one tweener and teenage role model parents are happy to promote. Her music is clean and upbeat. Her tv shows and movies typically have an inspirational bent.

The Travoltas agree. Rikki Lee said:

Hilary Duff is the kind of role model I feel comfortable having my daughter admire.

She's very talented at what she does and very comfortable being herself.

She presents a very positive message.

Travolta, well known actor and producer of the famous entertainment family (John Travolta is his uncle), was in Chicago filming an appearance in the feature "Crime Fiction" for director Will Slocombe and Fire Escape Films, which also stars Christian Stolte (Road to Perdition), Amy Sloan (The Aviator), Dan Bakkedahl from Second City, Steppenwolf Theatre ensemble member Yasen Peyankov, and Steppenwolf Theatre alumna Katrina Lenk.

At the time of publication, Duff's 2005 live tour dates and locations are as follows:

07.22 Erie Civic Center Complex in Erie, PA
07.24 Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence, RI
07.25 Hartford Civic Center Coliseum in Hartford, CT
07.27 Richmond Coliseum in Richmond, VA
07.29 Roanoke Civic Center in Roanoke, VA
07.30 Joel Coliseum in Winston-Salem, NC
07.31 North Charleston Coliseum in North Charleston, SC
08.02 American Airlines Arena in Miami, FL
08.03 Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, FL
08.04 Germain Arena in Estero, FL
08.07 Columbus Civic Center in Columbus, GA
08.11 Kemper Arena in Kansas City, MO
08.12 Mid City America in Council Bluff, IA
08.15 The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in Los Angeles, CA
08.16 Peoria Civic Center - Arena in Peoria, IL
08.17 Alliant Energy Center Memorial Coliseum in Madison, WI
08.19 Kentucky State Fair in Louisville, KY
08.20 DTE Energy Music Theatre in Clarkston, MI
08.21 Alliant Energy Center Memorial Coliseum in Madison, WI
08.23 U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, OH
08.24 Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH
08.26 Charleston Civic Center Coliseum in Charleston, WV
08.27 Baltimore Arena in Baltimore, MD
08.30 Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, NJ
09.01 Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, NY
09.02 The Great Allentown Fair in Allentown, PA
09.03 New York State Fair in Syracuse, NY
09.23 Konocti Field Amphitheatre in Kelseyville, CA
09.25 Puyallup Fair in Puyallup, WA

Inspire & Be Inspired.

Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful, "being most wanted on every dramatic stage" living!

~ Jennifer Carolyn King, Rugged Elegance, LLC