When Ashley Tisdale shared a deeply personal essay in The Cut on New Year’s Day, she likely didn’t expect it to spark one of Hollywood’s most talked-about friendship scandals. Titled “Breaking Up With My Toxic Mom Group,” the piece described the emotional unraveling of a group of mothers she once considered her support system. Although the actress used her married name, Ashley French, readers quickly began connecting the dots.
In her essay, Tisdale reflected on how the group initially came together during a uniquely isolating time. Many of the women were pregnant during the early days of the pandemic, missing out on traditional bonding moments like baby showers, prenatal classes, and casual meetups. When they finally found one another, it felt like a miracle. Their kids played together, the moms shared stories, and for a while, everything seemed perfect.
But that warm sense of belonging didn’t last.
When Social Media Became a Mirror
Over time, Tisdale began noticing subtle shifts. She described being excluded from group outings and only learning about them later through social media. Seeing photos and videos of her supposed friends spending time together without her brought back old feelings of rejection — the kind that feels eerily similar to high school cliques.
Those small slights built up until she finally decided to walk away. Rather than dragging out the pain, she chose to leave the group through a direct message, encouraging others not to stay where they don’t feel truly valued — no matter how perfect things may look online.
That message resonated with many readers, but it also ignited speculation.
Fans Start Connecting the Dots
Soon after the essay was published, fans began digging through Instagram posts and past interviews. Familiar faces appeared again and again — Hilary Duff, Mandy Moore, and Meghan Trainor among them. Old interviews resurfaced where Duff and Moore had spoken fondly about their tight-knit mom circle, leading many to believe this was the same group Tisdale referenced.
However, Tisdale’s team quickly shut down those assumptions, telling TMZ that the essay was not about that famous group of moms. Still, once the internet gets going, it’s hard to stop the momentum.
Social Media Reactions Add Fuel to the Fire
Things escalated when Hilary Duff’s sister liked a post promoting Tisdale’s essay. The caption, “LEAVE YOUR TOXIC FRIENDS BEHIND YOU IN 2026,” only intensified speculation that something was going on behind the scenes.
Then Duff’s husband, musician Matthew Koma, added his own commentary. In a sarcastic Instagram Story, he shared a parody of The Cut cover, poking fun at what he suggested was self-centered behavior. While he didn’t mention Tisdale by name, the message was clear enough for fans to read between the lines.
Where Do the Other Moms Stand?
While Duff’s camp made its feelings known, others seemed to quietly show support. Mandy Moore reposted a video Koma had shared during a charity concert, praising him publicly for his generosity and kindness — including helping her family during a wildfire evacuation the previous year.
Meghan Trainor, on the other hand, took a lighter approach. She posted a playful TikTok of herself typing at her computer, joking about discovering the mom-group drama while her song “Still Don’t Care” played in the background.
More Than Celebrity Gossip
At its core, Inside the Mom Group Drama Involving Ashley Tisdale and Hilary Duff isn’t just about famous names and Instagram likes. It reflects something deeply relatable: the pain of feeling excluded, the vulnerability of new motherhood, and how fragile adult friendships can be — especially when played out in public.
Whether the women involved ever address the rumors directly or choose to move on privately, one thing is clear: this story has struck a nerve because it mirrors experiences many people have had, famous or not. And in a world where every moment can be documented and dissected online, even a quiet friendship falling apart can become front-page news.