Molly Bernard Reveals She Calls Hilary Duff 'Mommy' After Receiving Motherhood Advice from Her 'Every Day' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Hilary Duff and Molly Bernard.Photo:Jon Kopaloff/Getty

Jon Kopaloff/Getty

On Friday, Nov. 8, the actress, 36, chatted with PEOPLE following her Broadway debut as Rachel Dahl inCult of Love, a new show that follows the Christian family the Dahls as they reunite for a chaotic Christmas dinner.

Bernard describes her character to PEOPLE, saying, “I play Rachel Dahl, who’s married to Mark, the oldest son. I am a Jew, which is a little hard for the hyper-Christian family that we’re in,” she says, adding, “I think Rachel is a really important example for how the family does or does not handle difference. Rachel and Mark are at a precipice of change in their marriage.”

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Molly Bernard and daughter.Molly Bernard/Instagram

Molly Bernard/Instagram

“Every day she gives me motherhood advice,” Bernard, who’s the godmother of Duff’s four kids, tells PEOPLE. “I just call her ‘Mommy,’ and I even stopped saying, ‘Sorry, I’m doing transference on you.’ It’s just, ‘Hi, mom!'”

She adds that when it comes to motherhood, “You can’t do it alone. It’s the most humbling, exhilarating experience. And you need not just a village, you need an entire community of cheerleaders and people who are going to do it with you.”

Bernard shares with PEOPLE that her daughter and Duff’s children are great friends, and their age gaps are “perfectly slotted” in between each other.

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Hilary Duff/Instagram

“I was terrified to become a mom —It’s scary! And it’s the greatest, most loving event that has ever happened to me,” she says sweetly.

source: people.com