Duff Dishes on 'Dignity'

If anyone deserves the title pop princess, it's Hilary Duff. Not only has the 19-year-old entertainer achieved the multimedia trifecta with a hit TV show (Disney Channel's Lizzie McGuire), successful films (Agent Cody Banks, Cheaper by the Dozen, A Cinderella Story) and a multiplatinum singing career, she's thus far managed to maintain a generally innocent image in an industry where edgy is always in and sex sells. No small feat these days.

"I know I get called a goody-good," Duff told Seventeen magazine two years ago. "But I don't think that's an insult. I'd rather be a good role model. ... When people try to rip off their clothes because they want to grow up so fast, it isn't a sign of maturity. That's a sign of immaturity." More recently, she reiterated her commitment to abstinence in her (now ended) relationship with Good Charlotte frontman Joel Madden. "It's hard having a boyfriend who's older because people just assume [we're having sex]. But [virginity] is definitely something I like about myself."

Dignity, then, seems an appropriate title for Miss Duff's latest, which debuted at No. 3. Especially since the singer's third release clearly reflects her grasp on maturity. Hinting at her breakup with Madden, a few tracks tackle girl-pop's staple subject: romantic disappointment. But unlike some of her contemporaries, Hilary Duff has more on her mind than pining over a failed relationship. Other candid songs reflect on her parents' divorce, confront personal weaknesses and emphasize being content with where you are in life.

All that is mixed up with the feel-good, bouncy teen spirit that Hilary has held on to since her Lizzie days. Her infectious dance/pop fairly gushes with fresh-faced zest. It's a ready-made, windows-down, head-bobbing soundtrack for summer break—you know, that really cool one between your freshman and sophomore years.

Breaking Up ... Without Being Broken
Duff kicks things off with a song about a relationship that didn't make the trip. And anyone looking for clues to what Hilary thinks about her ex-boyfriend won't have to go far. While I can't say for sure that the album's opener, "Stranger," is written about him, it's a fair bet he's the inspiration. The song describes someone who is Prince Charming in public but grows distant when he's outside the limelight: "You treat me like a queen when we go out/... But when no one's around/There's no kindness in your eyes."

Other post-relationship songs display a range of emotions. On "I Wish" Duff isn't in great shape, but she realizes she's vilified her ex unnecessarily ("It's not your fault, so let me say I'm sorry/... I guess I blamed you for everything wrong"). "Happy" finds her moving toward contentment. She isn't regretful ("There's a reason why we met/And I'm glad we did") and she wishes her former boyfriend luck finding the right person ("All the bitterness has passed/And I only wish you someone who can do what I can't"). It goes without saying—but I'm going to say it anyway—that it's practically impossible to imagine Paris, Britney, Lindsay or Ashlee demonstrating such graciousness in song (or in person, or anywhere else for that matter). I can't seem to recall any of them ever admitting that another woman might have something they don't.

Handbags and Face Slaps
Speaking of Paris et al, I'll move on to the CD's next big subject: dignity. The title track throws down against superficial Hollywood celebs whose partying antics squander their self-respect ("Where's your dignity?/ I think you lost it in the Hollywood Hills"). Barely concealed allusions criticize Ms. Hilton ("It's not news when you got a new bag") and Ms. Lohan ("It's not news when somebody slaps you").

Meanwhile, "With Love" describes the influence of an emotionally healthy boyfriend. "Danger" shows the singer trying to resist the allure of a risky relationship with an older man ("You intrigue me like no one before/... I'm smarter than this/And I know better than this/'Cause there's something really missing in your kiss/... 'Cause I see danger, danger, danger in your eyes").

"Gypsy Woman" warns against home-wrecking seductresses who think nothing of enticing unwary men. And its lines sound very similar to Solomon's warning against wayward women in Proverbs 5 ("She can rob you blind with just one look from those eyes"). Duff has indicated that they are about her father's divorce from her mother after 22 years of marriage following his plunge into infidelity.

Other tracks encourage a boyfriend to persevere ("Never Stop"), ask an unwanted suitor to look elsewhere ("Between You and Me"), try to convince a stalker to back off ("Dreamer") and challenge listeners to deal with hard stuff instead of running in denial ("No Work, All Play").

Putting Out Fires
Amid these positive themes are a few missteps. Most disappointing is one profanity ("d--n"). And depending on how you interpret the word fire, two tracks may include mild sexual allusions. On "Danger" Hilary sings, "You're a guy who sets a girl on fire," while "Play With Fire" taunts, "Found someone to take your place/Now I'm safe in his arms/And I decided only he can play with fire."

Dignity may not score perfect marks, but it's still as hopeful and healthy a perspective as you're likely to find among today's pop chanteuses. At the very least, Duff has resisted the temptation to objectify herself sexually, as so many others in her situation have done. She says, "I don't insinuate that I have a lot of dignity—come on, I'm 19—but it's something I strive to possess. ... It's also something that can be easily lost. I hope I can hold on to dignity as I move forward."

We hope the same, though we're concerned that her upcoming role as a sensual Eastern European rock star in John Cusack's next project, the R-rated film War, Inc., may yet see Duff giving in to the siren song of edginess. Similar sentiments could be voiced about her most recent video, "With Love," which shows her kissing a guy in an elevator while wearing a short, off-the-shoulder dress.

But on this CD, at least, dignity still dominates in the form of healthy messages about self-respect and wise restraint. Lizzie's mom would be proud.