August 26, 2003 – Hilary Duff’s Debut Album Metamorphosis is Released Through Hollywood Records
“Metamorphosis, whatever this is, whatever I’m going through.”
On August 26, 2003, Disney Channel star Hilary Duff released her debut album on Hollywood Records, titled Metamorphosis. Released shortly after leaving her hit show Lizzie McGuire, the album was a way for Duff to reach a more mature audience. At the time, Duff had embarked on a storm of projects as she tried to branch away from her Disney image, which included two feature films, clothing and accessory lines, and several marketing lines. The album was promoted heavily on MTV, especially her first single, “So Yesterday.” Three singles were released to promote the album: “So Yesterday,” “Come Clean,” and “Little Voice,” with the third single only being released in Australia. The album received mixed reviews from critics, as many considered it to be a gimmick for Duff rather than anything substantial. The album debuted at number 2 on the Billboard 200, selling 203,000 copies in its first week of release; it then peaked at number 1 the next week, despite a drop in sales to 131,000 copies. The album eventually sold 5 million copies worldwide. The success of the album gave Hollywood Records a needed boost in its industry and corporate profile, and helped pave the way for other Disney Channel stars releasing albums, as well as launching brands of Hannah Montana and High School Musical.
