Hilary Duff Joins CW's Gossip Girl

Hilary Duff is joining the cast of Gossip Girl, guest-starring next season as "a movie star looking for a typical college experience.

The CW series' spokeswoman, Melissa Burton, says the 21-year-old singer and actress will portray Olivia Burke, who enrolls at New York University and becomes roommates with "Gossip Girl" hipster Vanessa, portrayed by Jessica Szohr.

Oh, what a tangled web: Burton says Olivia will spark a romance with aspiring novelist Dan, played by Penn Badgley. As fans know, Vanessa used to have eyes for Dan -- then they dated other people. Duff begins her Gossip Girl arc on Oct. 5.Season three premieres Sept. 14th, as the prep kids head off to college.