United Kingdom, April 16 -- Nicole Richie thinks Hilary Duff has always felt like a friend to her generation.

The 44-year-old star - who is married to Hilary's former boyfriend Joel Madden - can understand why people were so happy when the Younger star released new music this year because they grew up with her on TV and she reminds them of an era that was "safe and full of possibility".

In a piece for Time magazine to celebrate Hilary's inclusion in their 100 Most Influential People of 2026, Nicole wrote: "Hilary Duff has been my friend for about seven years, but in the minds of millennials everywhere, she's been our friend for most of our lives.

"Terri didn't just go to music school in Raise Your Voice, I did too. When her dad finally...