Ashley Tisdale mom group drama fueled by multiple theories, from politics to personal tensions, insider says

Former Disney star Ashley Tisdale faces backlash after describing friend group as 'toxic' in an op-ed

Ashley Tisdale is not afraid to speak her mind.

With her new op-ed, "Breaking Up With My Toxic Mom Group" on The Cut, Tisdale proved she won't shy away from any topic.

In her essay, the former Disney star ruminated over what she believed was finding her "village" with a group of women, but instead felt thrown "back in high school." While Tisdale said she initially "felt lucky" to find such support in the group, she quickly noticed herself being phased out of certain group activities. Many were quick to find photos of Tisdale online, linking her to a group of celebrity moms who included Hilary Duff, Mandy Moore and Meghan Trainor.

This isn't the first time Tisdale has been outspoken online. After condemning political violence in the wake of Charlie Kirk's death, Tisdale defended what many online considered to be a tribute to the conservative activist. "It shouldn’t be controversial to say this, but even when we disagree or find someone’s views offensive, violence is never the answer," she wrote at the time, before noting she still holds progressive beliefs.

ASHLEY TISDALE SLAMS 'TOXIC' MOM GROUP AFTER REPEATED EXCLUSION

Ashley Tisdale's latest personal essay underscores the former Disney star's long-standing willingness to publicly address personal experiences and stand by her perspective. (Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty Images)

Tisdale has also been outspoken about the criticism and scrutiny she's received over the years as she moved on from child stardom. She recalled the shame she felt after getting a nose job in 2007 to fix health issues.

"Plastic surgery wasn't culturally accepted then like it is now," she wrote on Frenshe in 2021. "When I got it done I was scrutinized, judged, and made to feel ashamed over my decision. I made a decision that was no one's business (and is STILL no one's business) and for that decision, I was constantly made to feel bad about it."

Here's a look at the latest drama surrounding Tisdale's mom group essay:

Hilary Duff's husband takes dig at Ashley Tisdale

Hilary Duff's husband slammed Ashley Tisdale's personal essay in an Instagram story shared on his account. (Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Adopt Together)

Matthew Koma appeared to take a dig at Ashley Tisdale after the "High School Musical" alum exposed what she described as a "toxic" mom group that Duff is allegedly part of.

One day after Tisdale shared her op-ed, "Breaking Up With My Toxic Mom Group," on The Cut, Koma took to social media to poke fun at the actress' claims.

Koma edited a photo to place himself onto a similar background as Tisdale's cover photo, using The Cut's logo and a fictional 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," with a sub-headline that read, "A Mom Group Tell All Through A Father's Eyes."

"Read my new interview with @TheCut," Koma captioned the Instagram Story post.

The next day, Koma posted another Instagram Story about Moore’s song "Candy," and Moore replied on her own account, praising him and writing, "Love you."

Ashley Tisdale's husband shares subtle message

Ashley Tisdale's husband, Christopher French, posted a cryptic message to his Instagram story after the "High School Musical" star's essay gained traction online.

"Underrated life skill: Pausing to decide if it's worth your energy," the quote he posted read.

Ashley Tisdale's husband, Christophe r French, shared a simple message online after the actress' essay was published. (Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for ELLE)

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Online speculation celeb mom group fallout was over politics hits fever pitch

After speculation online tried to connect Ashley Tisdale's post about Charlie Kirk's death to the mom group fallout, a representative for Tisdale told TMZ the drama had nothing to do with conservative politics. The rep highlighted that Tisdale is a registered Democrat.

Insiders told Page Six there wasn't any single reason behind the fallout.

"It’s a myriad of things, not just one specific," a source told the outlet.

The former Disney star's rep also shut down speculation that Tisdale's recent essay was alluding to the friend group including Hilary Duff, Mandy Moore and Meghan Trainor.

Politics isn't the only theory running rampant online.

"There was chatter that the mommy group was upset with Ashley and how she failed to be there for her friends after the California fires. Mandy Moore — her home was affected by this, and ... Hilary Duff took in Mandy and her family," Perez Hilton, host of "The Perez Hilton Podcast with Chris Booker," told Fox News Digital. "There were other reports that Ashley is very conservative and that these more liberal-leaning Hollywood moms didn't feel connected to her and felt bad by association. But there was a third story circulating that it was just that Ashley is very self-centered. A user in relationships."

Perez claimed Duff's husband's statement confirmed the third theory. "That's basically what I took from Matthew Koma's statement saying that [Ashley is] tone-deaf and a big baby, basically is what he said. And when you're behaving that way, then moms are gonna go take care of their own toddlers," Perez noted. "So I don't know if that's true either. Really, that's just what he views as what happened. But I'm sure if Ashley spoke in an interview, and was asked specific questions, she'd probably share a different perspective."

Meghan Trainor was reportedly involved in the "toxic" celebrity mom group Ashley Tisdale was a part of. (Sara Jaye/Getty Images for Trü Frü)

Meghan Trainor alludes to mom drama while promoting her music

Meghan Trainor responded to the online drama but seemingly didn't have much to say.

Trainor posted a video on TikTok that said, "Me finding out about the apparent mom group drama." The video featured Trainor sitting at her computer looking shocked while her new song "Still Don't Care" played in the background.

Outside of her video poking fun at the situation and promoting her new song, Trainor hasn't made any other public statements.

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Other celebrities weighed in on the mom drama

Christy Carlson Romano weighed in on the mom group drama. (Photo by Paul Archuleta/Getty Images)

Christy Carlson Romano, who also appeared in numerous Disney shows, weighed in on the celebrity mom group drama.

"I think that mom groups are really important to people when they first have their baby," Romano said in her video. "I think it aligns you with a certain kind of tribe to help you get through postpartum hormones and stuff like that. I think it’s really great, [and] that’s why mommy-and-me classes exist."

Romano went on to explain that things become "a little trickier" as your kids get older. The "Kim Possible" star pointed out that sometimes kids stop getting along, which causes moms to cycle out of friendships.

"That kinda sucks, but in the end, if you can make time for the people that matter to you, they should be giving back to you as much as you’re putting out. If that dynamic shifts, then just find another group of friends."

"It's very simple. It's not supposed to be dramatic, "But, I get it," she added. "Sometimes it gets a little crazy – and then you write an article about it."

Chelsea Handler defended Mandy Moore amid the fallout while appearing on Page Six Radio.

"I have no idea what went on, but I know Mandy Moore, and she’s a wonderful, sweet person. So I’ll just say that. But I don’t really know Ashley Tisdale," Handler said. "And I don’t say it with disdain in the way I just said it. But I don’t know Ashley Tisdale, so I would like to be transparent."

Handler noted she's never been a part of a mom group. "That’s another reason not to have children," she quipped. "To have to deal with that s--t. You’re out of school, you’re a mother and you have to deal with that dynamic and being excluded again as an adult woman. No thank you."

Fallout between Ashley Tisdale and her mom group was over a 'misalignment of values': report

Ashley Tisdale first wrote about leaving her "toxic" mom group in November 2025. (Santiago Felipe)

A source close to Ashley Tisdale's former group of mom friends shed light on what really went down.

"It was a misalignment of values that Ashley decided to make public," a source close to the group told People magazine. 

"Friends naturally drift apart. It didn’t warrant a dramatic breakup text."

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Fox News Digital's Christina Dugan Ramirez and Larry Fink contributed to this report.

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