Ashley Tisdale sparked a digital firestorm on New Year’s Day with a candid essay published in The Cut. Titled “Breaking Up With My Toxic Mom Group,” the piece saw the High School Musical alumna—writing under her married name, Ashley French—chronicle the dissolution of a supposedly tight-knit circle of mothers she once considered her support system.
In her reflection, Tisdale described the relief of finding a “village” during the isolation of the pandemic. “I felt fortunate when a friend introduced me to a group of new mothers. We were all navigating the same challenges,” she explained. Having missed out on traditional milestones like baby showers and prenatal classes due to lockdowns, Tisdale noted that finally being together felt like the missing piece of her parenting journey. However, the honeymoon phase was short-lived.
The atmosphere eventually soured, with Tisdale describing a “Mean Girls” dynamic that felt uncomfortably familiar. “I recall being excluded from several gatherings, only to discover them through Instagram, which ensured every photo and Story appeared on my feed,” she wrote. Feeling alienated, she ultimately chose to sever ties via a group text, offering a hard-learned piece of advice to readers: “It’s not the right group for you, even if their lives look perfect on social media.”
The essay immediately sent internet sleuths into overdrive. By cross-referencing past social media activity, many theorized that the “toxic” group included fellow stars Hilary Duff, Mandy Moore, and Meghan Trainor—despite Tisdale’s representatives later insisting the essay referred to a different, non-famous group of acquaintances. Here is a breakdown of how the drama unfolded and the reactions it triggered.
The Catalyst: A High School Flashback
Published on January 1, the essay carried the biting subhead: “I thought I found my village. Instead, I was back in high school.” Tisdale confessed that despite decades passing since the tenth grade, the sting of being left out felt identical to adolescent rejection.
The Digital Investigation
Fans quickly unearthed a trail of digital breadcrumbs, pointing to a well-known circle of celebrity mothers. Specifically, social media users highlighted past interviews where Hilary Duff and Mandy Moore had openly praised their supportive friendship “squad.”
The Official Denial
As speculation reached a fever pitch, a spokesperson for Tisdale attempted to douse the flames. Speaking to TMZ, the representative clarified that the essay centered on an entirely different group of mothers, not the high-profile circle fans had identified.
Haylie Duff’s Surprising Interaction
Adding a layer of mystery to the situation, Hilary Duff’s sister, Haylie, “liked” the promotional Instagram post for the essay. The post featured a caption advising readers to “leave your toxic friends behind.” Given the rumors of estrangement between the Duff sisters, the move was widely interpreted as a subtle endorsement of Tisdale’s sentiment.
Matthew Koma Strikes Back
Singer-songwriter Matthew Koma, Hilary Duff’s husband, didn’t hold back his disdain. Taking to Instagram, he posted a parody of The Cut cover featuring his own face. His mock headline read: “A Mom Group Tell-All Through a Father’s Eyes,” accompanied by a scathing caption: “When you’re the most self-obsessed, tone-deaf person on Earth, other moms tend to shift focus to their actual toddlers.”
Duff Remains Focused on the Music
While her husband addressed the drama head-on, Hilary Duff opted for a more subtle approach. She largely ignored the controversy, instead sharing a teaser for her upcoming album, Luck… or Something, scheduled for release in February.
Mandy Moore Declares Her Allegiance
The lines were further drawn when Mandy Moore publicly supported Koma. Following a benefit concert, Moore reposted a video of her performance shared by Koma, calling him one of the “most talented and generous humans” she knows. She specifically thanked him for providing her family with shelter during a wildfire evacuation, effectively signaling where her loyalties lie in the aftermath of the essay.
