Hilary Duff’s Fans Are Convinced New Song Takes Swipe at Leonardo Dicaprio’s Age-Gap Romances

Key Highlights

  • Hilary Duff releases her first song in a decade titled “Mature.”
  • Fans and internet sleuths believe the lyrics reference Leonardo DiCaprio’s history of dating younger women.
  • The song includes references to Jean-Michel Basquiat and Carbon Beach, potentially linked to DiCaprio.
  • Duff explains that while the song is inspired by a past relationship, it is not entirely autobiographical.

Hilary Duff’s “Mature” Sparks Debate Among Fans

Last week, pop star Hilary Duff released her first song in 10 years. Titled “Mature,” the track has reignited discussions about age-gap relationships, particularly in light of Leonardo DiCaprio’s history.

“Mature” Released After Decade-Long Hiatus

The former Disney Channel star, now 38, previewed her new song on November 5, 2025. Her return to the music scene has caught the attention of both long-time fans and newcomers.

Subtle References in “Mature”

Fans have pointed out several lines that they believe are references to DiCaprio. For example, “Going down on her on your vintage rug / Bet she’s so impressed by your Basquiat” has been interpreted as a nod to DiCaprio’s controversial ownership of Jean-Michel Basquiat’s artwork.

Carbon Beach and Malibu

The song also includes the line, “Hid my car at Carbon Beach so I wasn’t seen at yours.” This could be referencing Leonardo DiCaprio’s purchase of a beach home in Malibu that had direct access to Carbon Beach. The house was purchased in 1998 and sold in 2021.

Historical Context

Duff explained the inspiration behind “Mature” with Vogue, stating, “It is definitely about a brief experience that I had in my— a long, long time ago. But it is not totally autobiographical.” She added, “I took a few artistic liberties just to make the song work structurally, but the gist is the gist.” This clarification suggests that while the song draws from her past relationships, it is not strictly an autobiography.

DiCaprio’s History of Dating Younger Women

The article mentions that DiCaprio has a history of dating women decades younger than him. He was previously in relationships with Camila Morrone and Vittoria Ceretti, both significantly younger than himself. Meanwhile, Duff also dates older men, having dated Joel Madden from Good Charlotte and celebrity trainer Jason Walsh.

While The Independent contacted representatives for both Duff and DiCaprio, no response was provided as of the article’s publication date.

Analysis: Age-Gap Relationships in Popular Culture

The discussion around “Mature” highlights ongoing debates about age-gap relationships in popular culture. Such relationships often attract media attention due to the significant age difference between partners. Critics argue that such pairings can reinforce harmful stereotypes, while supporters see them as a reflection of personal freedom and compatibility.

Experts in relationship counseling suggest that the key to successful long-term relationships lies in mutual respect, communication, and understanding. Whether or not “Mature” is intended as a critique of age-gap relationships, it has succeeded in sparking important conversations about love, age, and identity in the entertainment industry.