Ashley Tisdale Toxic Mom Group Drama: Why the Star Left Her 'Village'

Are celebrity friendships as perfect as they look on Instagram? Ashley Tisdale French doesn't think so. The High School Musical alum kicked off 2026 by dropping a bombshell essay in The Cut, detailing her painful exit from what she calls a 'toxic mom group.' In the candid piece titled 'Breaking Up With My Toxic Mom Group,' the 40-year-old actress reveals how the dramas of adulthood can feel like a scripted Disney Channel scene.

Ashley Tisdale Toxic Mom Group Drama Explained

After welcoming her daughter Jupiter, Tisdale French sought connection with other mothers who navigated pregnancy during the early pandemic. She initially felt she'd 'found her village,' but the honeymoon phase ended when she noticed she was being consistently 'frozen out' of gatherings. The realization hit hardest when she saw her friends hanging out without her via social media posts.

Feeling like she'd been thrown back into high school, the Frenshe founder decided to take a stand. She sent a final text to the group, stating, "This is too high school for me and I don't want to take part in it anymore." While some members tried to apologize, Tisdale French chose her peace of mind over the 'unhealthy' group dynamic.

Fans Spot Clues Involving Hilary Duff and Mandy Moore

Internet sleuths were quick to connect the dots. Speculation has centered on Tisdale's high-profile friends, including Hilary Duff, Mandy Moore, and Meghan Trainor. Since 2021, the quartet had been frequently spotted together in Instagram carousels and 'mom weekend' getaways.

The most compelling evidence for fans? Tisdale French still follows Trainor, but has reportedly unfollowed both Duff and Moore. On social media platforms like Reddit, users are divided—some relate to the 'mean girl' energy of mom groups, while others wonder if there's more to the story. Her representative is currently shooting down these specific theories as mere online rumors.