The strange reason why Hilary Duff’s husband dressed up as her ex-boyfriend for Halloween has been revealed.
The 38-year-old Lizzie McGuire star's husband, Matthew Koma, took his 2024 Halloween costume to a bold new level - by dressing up as her ex-boyfriend, Joel Madden.
While most people might avoid even referencing a partner’s former flame, Koma fully leaned into the joke with a head-to-toe look reminiscent of the Good Charlotte frontman.
Dressed in black MDDN caps, sunglasses, oversized T-shirts, and chunky gold chains, both Koma and his wife posed in costume.
Hilary Duff and Matthew Koma dressed as her ex and his brother for Halloween. Credit: Instagram / Joel Madden
The Controversial Romance Behind the Costume
The costume made headlines not just for its humor, but for the history behind it.
The former Disney Channel star and Madden dated for two years in the early 2000s, and their relationship sparked controversy due to their ages at the time: Duff was 16 and Madden was 25.
The couple ultimately split in 2006, but the relationship left a lasting impression on the media.
Joel Madden and Hilary Duff used to date. Credit: Jeff Kravitz / Getty
Today, Duff and Madden are on friendly terms, with both now happily married, Duff to Koma (since 2019), and Madden to Nicole Richie (since 2010). Both couples also share children and appear to have built a solid friendship.
Still, not everyone on social media was comfortable with the Halloween homage. One Reddit user wrote: “Is it strange to anyone else that they’re all friends? I mean, it’s on brand for Matt Koma to do a goofy costume like this, but given the context, it’s weird.”
Another user recalled a previous post by Koma that also raised eyebrows: “I used to follow Matt, but he made such a weird post a few years ago with a pic of him and the Madden bros and saying happy Valentine’s Day, Hilary from your two boos. And it just made me so uncomfortable.”
A third added: “Idk man, all of this feels like overcompensation for something. Being low-key friends is one thing, but all the publicity they seek makes it sus to me.”
But many others defended the couple, noting that everyone involved is now an adult and seemingly on good terms.
One commenter replied, “Idk I feel like if she doesn’t look back at their relationship as traumatizing, we shouldn’t either. Obviously, it’s icky and shouldn’t have happened, but Hilary seems genuinely well adjusted in adult life and is happily married and friends with Joel and Nicole."
Matthew Koma and Hilary Duff. Credit: Jon Kopaloff / Getty
A History of Friendly Trolling
This isn’t the first time Koma has poked fun at his wife’s past. Back in 2023, for Madden’s birthday, he posted a throwback photo of Duff and Joel from their dating days with the caption: “It’s not even that weird that you dated my wife @joelmadden. It just makes me feel closer to you," per E! News.
The couples have gone on double dates and even live near each other. During an appearance on Watch What Happens Live, Duff revealed: “We're neighbors. And we actually hang out all the time. I was just in her driveway honking her to come drink wine with us the other day.”
She also reflected on Koma’s love for trolling: “Right when they moved in, for some reason, Matt photoshopped a picture of Joel and Benji in a photo with me on Valentine’s Day. 'Happy Valentine's Day, honey.’”
Laughing, she added, “Now they just know that Matt is a big troll and likes to have lots of fun.”