At a Glance
- Ashley Tisdale and Haylie Duff shared a playdate moment between their daughters on Instagram Stories on Jan. 27.
- Tisdale sold her former Los Angeles home to Duff for $2.7 million in 2016.
- Fans speculate that Hilary Duff may have been part of the “toxic” mom group highlighted in Tisdale’s essay.
Why it matters: The post and surrounding commentary illustrate how personal relationships can become public fodder when tied to celebrity status.
Ashley Tisdale and Haylie Duff posted a playful snapshot of their daughters on Instagram Stories on Jan. 27, amid growing scrutiny over Tisdale’s recent essay about a “toxic” mom group. The post reignited speculation that Hilary Duff might have been involved, a claim that has fueled media chatter and fan speculation. Fans are also reminded of the long-standing friendship that includes a 2016 home sale for $2.7 million.
In the Instagram Stories clip, Duff, 40, shared a photo of her daughter Lulu, 7, playing under a table with Tisdale’s daughter Jupiter, 4. Duff captioned the snap “Under table shenanigans,” and Tisdale reposted the image to her own Stories later that day. The moment underscores the friendly ties between the two actresses, which have spanned years.
The sale, recorded by Realtor, saw Duff become the new owner of a property that Tisdale had previously listed. In 2016, Duff purchased Tisdale’s former Los Angeles home in Studio City for $2.7 million, cementing their personal connection.
Home Sale History
| Year | Seller | Buyer | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Ashley Tisdale | Haylie Duff | $2.7 million |
In December 2025, Tisdale first addressed the issue in a candid blog post titled “You’re Allowed to Leave Your Mom Group.” She explained how the desire for connection can lead moms into groups that, over time, become toxic.
“When I became a mom, I craved connection almost as much as I craved sleep. So I did what a lot of us do. I joined a mom group,” Tisdale wrote. “But here’s the thing nobody prepared me for: Mom groups can turn toxic. Not because the moms themselves are toxic people, but because the dynamic shifts into an ugly place with mean-girl behavior. I know this from personal experience.”
The following month, Tisdale expanded her story in The Cut with the essay titled “Breaking Up With My Toxic Mom Group.” She kept the women from her former friend group anonymous, framing the experience as a reminder that it is okay to walk away from relationships that no longer feel healthy. Tisdale wrote, “If a mom group consistently leaves you feeling hurt, drained or left out, it’s not the mom group for you. Choosing to step away doesn’t make you mean or judgmental. It makes you honest with yourself. It’s also worth remembering that friendships, like all relationships, have seasons.”
Fans have speculated that Hilary Duff may have been part of the alleged toxic group. Hilary’s husband, Matthew Koma, posted on Jan. 6 a scathing Instagram Stories remark calling Tisdale “The Most Self Obsessed Tone Deaf Person On Earth.”
On Jan. 19, Hilary returned to the stage at London’s O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, debuting a new song titled “We Don’t Talk.” The track appears to address an alleged rift with her sister Haylie, though Hilary has not publicly addressed the song’s subject.
Hilary has not been seen with Haylie publicly since 2019, according to the New York Post’s Page Six. Her forthcoming album, slated for release on Feb. 20 via Atlantic Records, continues to generate buzz.
The series of events-from a playful playdate to a heated essay and a public musical comeback-illustrate how personal relationships can spill into the public eye, especially when intertwined with fame and media scrutiny. Observers will likely keep a close eye on the sisters’ interactions as the story unfolds.
Fans and media alike will watch for any further developments that could clarify the rumors or resolve the tension, as the narrative surrounding the sisters continues to evolve.
