Chelsea Handler is weighing in on the digital drama currently captivating the internet: Ashley Tisdale’s viral op-ed regarding a “toxic” circle of fellow mothers and the subsequent speculation involving Hilary Duff.
During a recent appearance on the Page Six podcast, the veteran comedian requested a briefing on the rumored friction before offering her own characteristically blunt assessment. The controversy stems from a personal essay Tisdale published on The Cut, where the High School Musical alumna detailed her decision to distance herself from a group of professional mothers who she claimed repeatedly marginalized her. The situation escalated when Hilary Duff’s husband, Matthew Koma, appeared to mock the narrative via a satirical post on his Instagram Story.
“So they’re being cliquey toward Ashley Tisdale? Interesting,” Handler remarked with a dry wit. “I’m always happy to see Hilary Duff mentioned in a headline, though I’m not entirely sure why.”
Handler suggested that Tisdale might benefit from embracing the “Let Them” philosophy popularized by author Mel Robbins. Reflecting on her own life choices, the comedian noted that the drama only reaffirmed her decision to remain child-free. “I’ve never been part of a ‘mom group,’ and quite frankly, it sounds exhausting,” she admitted. “That is yet another compelling reason to avoid parenthood—sparing yourself that nonsense. You graduate from school, you become a mother, and you’re suddenly thrust back into a dynamic of exclusion? As a grown woman? Absolutely not.”
In the original essay, published under her married name, Ashley French, the singer described how a support system she once relied on eventually began to feel like a high school clique. She recounted a moment of self-advocacy where she texted the group to withdraw, stating that the environment had become “too high school” for her tastes.
While Tisdale’s representatives eventually clarified to TMZ that the essay was not targeted at any specific celebrities, fans were quick to point out past photos of Tisdale socialising with Duff, Mandy Moore, and Meghan Trainor. Matthew Koma fueled the fire by sharing a parody headline that read: “When You’re The Most Self-Obsessed Tone-Deaf Person On Earth, Other Moms Tend To Shift Focus To Their Actual Toddlers.”
Despite the brewing social media storm, Handler remained skeptical of any genuine malice among the parties involved. “I don’t know the specifics of what transpired, but I know Mandy Moore, and she is a truly lovely person,” Handler added, also speaking fondly of Meghan Trainor.
