Ashley Tisdale’s New Year’s essay on “toxic mom groups” sparked instant speculation that she was shading her famous mom squad.
At a Glance
- Ashley Tisdale’s rep says her essay was not about Mandy Moore, Hilary Duff, or Meghan Trainor
- The 40-year-old wrote of being frozen out of a mom clique that once felt like her “village”
- Tisdale ultimately quit the group, texting: “This is too high school for me”
- Why it matters: Her story spotlights how adult friendships can still carry playground politics-especially in parenthood
The actress hoped to highlight broader struggles in mom circles, not single out specific friends.
What the Essay Really Said
In the Cut piece published January 1, Tisdale recalled bonding with fellow moms over babies and business. She gushed she’d “found my village.”
Over time, group hangouts kept happening without her. Excuses ranged from busy schedules to forgotten invites, leaving Tisdale scrolling Instagram wondering, “Maybe I’m not cool enough.”
Exit Text
She finally messaged the chat:
> “This is too high school for me and I don’t want to take part in it anymore.”
Responses swung between fake apologies and claims no one knew why she was excluded.
Life After the Group
Tisdale, now using her married name Ashley French, shares:
- Daughter Jupiter, 4
- Son Emerson, 16 months
She closed the essay urging moms to find people who “actually, you know, like you.”
Key Takeaways
- Tisdale’s rep stresses the essay is about general mom-group toxicity, not specific celebrities
- The star drew from real exclusion that resurfaced teenage insecurities
- Her story pushes parents to seek supportive, drama-free friendships
Her message: curated Instagram fun can mask real-life cliques-no one needs that homework in adulthood.
