MUSIC: Hilary Duff dumped a "Stranger"

As the third single off of Hilary Duff's album, "Stranger" isn't as strong as her second, "With Love." But, since it's intertwined with scandal—like Justin's "What goes around comes around"—it just might work. However, Duff stays firm to her claim that the song, which alludes to her ex-boyfriend, Joel Madden, turning into a stranger and cheating on her, is actually about her parents and their imminent divorce. Either way, it's a lovely publicity stunt that will further her career...as will the video.

It seems Obama and Clinton aren't the only ones on the campaign trail. Belly dancing, flashy minis, and classic scorned woman behavior all amount to a clever tactic to inch her way towards the vacant pop princess thrown. Let's be honest, it's been vacant for a while now. By the time Britney gets her shit together, she'll be scrambling for fans like Madonna will in her 60s and her Depends will be showing through her thong. When you can't sing, you can only gyrate for so long before you have to opt for a hip replacement instead of a boob job, or pick up a weird instrument like Cyndi Lauper. But Duff still has a long way to go. As if history isn't proof enough, she'll need a huge scandal to get her on the map. Hopefully, she'll choose to keep her dignity.

Duff's touring Canada throughout the summer and should soon start production on the drama Safety Glass with Steve Coogan (Night at the Museum), Amber Tamblyn (Grudge 2), Amanda Peet ("Studio 60"), Michael Angarano (Lords of Dogtown), and Molly Shannon (Year of the Dog). And it appears she and John Cusack are inseparable, because after wrapping War, Inc. a couple of months ago, they'll be working together again soon on the sci-fi thriller Talking with Dog, alongside Rodrigo Santoro (300). Her film marks a trend in the industry lately to market post-apocalyptic films that started with Children of Men. This one not only touches on a world inflicted with infertility, but global warming as well. Duff's sudden migration from romantic comedies to more serious films could get her stronger street cred. And if she stays away from Lohan-Paris-Richie-Britney-related publicity stunts, she just might get it.