Shia LaBeouf’s ‘Even Stevens’ co-star reveals he often trash-talked Hilary Duff’s ‘Lizzie McGuire’

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Christy Carlson Romano, who starred alongside Shia LaBeouf in 'Even Stevens' from 2000 to 2003, recently reflected on the competitive atmosphere and tensions among Disney Channel stars in the early 2000s.

Romano explained that competition among Disney Channel stars, including Hilary Duff, was more prevalent than rivalry with their Nickelodeon counterparts.

Christy Carlson Romano explains competition within Shia LaBeouf and other Disney Channel stars

In a recent episode of 'The Joe Vulpis Podcast', host Joe Vulpis asked Romano whether she had ever experienced “beef with Nickelodeon stars” who competed for younger audiences in the early 2000s.

The 42-year-old actress responded, “No, we never really saw any of them.” She explained that any rivalry was largely confined to the network, noting that “we were more competitive within the network than we were outside of the network.”

Romano witnessed this competitive atmosphere firsthand while working on 'Even Stevens'. The sitcom premiered in June 2000 and quickly dominated Disney Channel’s ratings.

However, 'Lizzie McGuire', the hybrid live-action and animated sitcom headlined by Duff, premiered in January 2001 and subsequently became the network’s biggest hit. The show held that position until its finale in 2004, after just two seasons.

Reflecting on the competition between the shows, Romano recalled, “I think Shia was definitely beefing with Hilary. Hilary had no clue about that. I’m sure she was doing her own thing, but he would always be kind of trash-talking 'Lizzie McGuire'. And, I was always like, ‘We don’t know anything about them.’"

Romano described LaBeouf as “very competitive” and said he needed ‘Even Stevens’ to remain the network’s number one show.

“He had to be the number one show, because I think, like, his life depended on that show doing well,” the actress said. She also connected his determination to his personal circumstances, explaining, “He had a rough upbringing, and I think he needed that show to do well for him.”

Christy Carlson Romano recalls hurtful interaction with Mandy Moore at ‘Princess Diaries’ party

Romano has also discussed her own experiences with tensions between young performers. Earlier this month, the actress revisited an incident involving singer and actress Mandy Moore at a 'Princess Diaries' wrap party in 2000.

Romano recalled attending the event and having an awkward interaction with fellow performer Heather Matarazzo. According to her account, Moore was standing next to Matarazzo when she made a condescending laugh, an interaction that left Romano feeling hurt.

“[Mandy Moore] was next to [Heather] and Mandy kind of did this, like [condescending laugh]... I was so hurt by it,” Romano recalled.

The experience left Romano questioning Moore’s behaviour and how to interpret the interaction. She remembered thinking, “‘Mandy’s a mean girl!’ I didn’t know what to make of it, but I did crash that party, man.”