> At a Glance
> – Ashley Tisdale published a viral essay for The Cut about leaving a toxic mom group
> – Internet users speculate she referred to her celebrity mom friends, including Hilary Duff, Mandy Moore, and Meghan Trainor
> – Tisdale unfollowed some members on Instagram, though her rep denied targeting them
> > Why it matters: It sheds light on the pressures of maintaining friendships in high-profile parenting circles
Ashley Tisdale’s essay on cutting ties with a toxic mom group has ignited online debate, with fans zeroing in on her former celebrity-mom circle. Though she never names names, the timing and social-media activity have fueled speculation.
The Essay That Started It All
In The Cut piece, Tisdale described her ex-friend group as giving off “mean-girl” energy and feeling “too high-school.” She wrote that stepping away was necessary for her mental health.
The essay followed a blog post titled “You’re Allowed to Leave Your Mom Group,” where she first hinted at the rift.
The Celebrity Moms in the Spotlight
Online sleuths quickly linked Tisdale’s story to a well-documented clique of Hollywood moms:
- Hilary Duff – said in December she leans on the group “two to three times a week” for playdates and emotional support.
- Mandy Moore – called the circle a “cool mom club” and praised the group for helping her navigate early motherhood.
- Meghan Trainor – told People the moms share a lively group chat and try to meet when tour schedules allow.
Other regulars include cookbook author Gaby Dalkin, Muu Everyday founder Janice Gott, celebrity makeup artist Kelsey Deenihan, and content creator Whitney Wagner Hartley.
Social Media Clues
Sharp-eyed followers noticed Tisdale unfollowed Duff and Moore on Instagram; she still follows Trainor, Gott, Deenihan, and Amanda Kaplan, while Hartley is no longer followed.
Reps told TMZ the essay wasn’t aimed at Duff’s circle, but the digital distance speaks louder than denials.
Group Dynamics Before the Fall-Out
Duff told People the moms first bonded over baby music classes at her house and now coordinate art and gymnastics sessions:
> “Everybody’s super hardworking. Sometimes we look like literal trash, so it’s just nice to be in the trenches with them.”
Moore echoed the sentiment:
> “Nobody gets it like another mom. We all have this shared goal of caring about new and expecting parents.”
The bond was strong enough that Duff and husband Matthew Koma housed Moore’s family after the 2025 L.A. wildfires destroyed their home.
Key Takeaways
- Tisdale’s essay never names the group, but fan speculation centers on her famous-mom friends.
- Duff, Moore, and Trainor have publicly praised their tight-knit support system for years.
- Instagram follows and unfollows hint at real-life fractures, despite official denials.
Whether or not the essay was about them, the buzz spotlights how even A-list parents wrestle with friendship fall-outs.
