Inside Hollywood's 'toxic mom group' that ditched Ashley Tisdale
For days the internet has been gripped by the ins and outs of the 'toxic mom group'. It's the type of petty squabble one might expect between teenagers rather than a 'mom group' - who have been accused of exhibiting mean girl behaviour by excluding one of its members. The member in question is none other than Ashley Tisdale, who caused a social media firestorm when she penned an essay entitled 'breaking up with my toxic mom group'. The High School Musical star, 40, had previously raved about her 'village of moms,' which included Hilary Duff, Mandy Moore and Meghan Trainor, after welcoming her first daughter Jupiter in 2021. Yet she claimed that in recent months she had begun to feel left out and excluded by members of the group - ultimately severing ties with the squad by sending a group text that read: 'This is too high school for me and I don’t want to take part in it anymore.'While Ashley did not name the friends in questions, fans noticed the damning essay came shortly after she unfollowed Hilary and Mandy on Instagram. Hilary's husband Matthew Koma then poured petrol on the fire when he publicly mocked Ashley's article and branded her 'self obsessed' and 'tone deaf'.Now Daily Mail reveals everything you need to know about the 'toxic mom group' row, from the alleged members to the celebs who have been picking sides. Ashley Tisdale sent the internet into meltdown when she penned an essay titled 'breaking up with my toxic mom group', with many speculating over who she was referring to Ashley pictured in 2022 with (front: Gaby Dalkin and Meghan Trainor; middle: Janice Gott, Kelsey Deenihan, Hilary Duff and Samii Ryan; back: Amanda Kaplan) Now Daily Mail reveals all you need to know about the 'toxic mom group' drama What did Ashley Tisdale say about the 'toxic mom group'? Ashley became a mother in 2021 when she welcomed daughter Jupiter with composer husband Christopher French. The couple are also parents to 16-month-old son Emerson. She was a firm fixture of a Hollywood mom group, created by fellow Disney star Hilary, with the women sharing vacations, baby classes and playdates over the past four years.In a now-deleted 2022 post from a girls' trip with Hilary and Megan Trainor, she reflected on an enjoyable weekend away and how she loved 'being surrounded by these ladies.''What an amazing group of women to journey through this mom-hood together!' she gushed, at the time.As recently as January 2025, she publicly thanked the mom group for supporting her during the Los Angeles wildfires, writing: 'The human connection is not lost. Shout out to the mom group that's there in the highs and lows.' However, she was not present on a girls' trip to Ojai a few months later in October. The following month, Ashley wrote about 'breaking up with my toxic mom group,' explaining she began to feel excluded by her friends. Expanding on the November 2025 post for her blog ByAshleyFrench, she then penned an article for The Cut, though she did not name any of the women involved. Ashley was not present on a girls' trip to Ojai a few months later in October and a month later began to open up about feeling excluded by her mom friends She wrote that she started noticing she wasn't invited to certain gatherings, which she later saw posted on Instagram.'It took me back to an unpleasant but familiar feeling I thought I'd left behind years ago,' she wrote.'Here I was sitting alone one night after getting my daughter to bed thinking Maybe I'm not cool enough? 'All of a sudden I was in high school again, feeling totally lost as to what I was doing 'wrong' to be left out...'To be clear I have never considered the moms to be bad people (maybe one),' Ashley added. 'But I do think our group dynamic stopped being healthy and positive - for me anyway.'On why she decided to speak out about her experience, Ashley explained: I now know I’m far from the only mother who’s been brought to tears by members of a group that’s supposed to lift everyone up. Who are the members of the 'toxic mom group'? After fans began to speculate that Ashley was referring to her celebrity friends, a representative for the star claimed this wasn't the case. They told TMZ that Ashley's words had been 'twisted into clickbait', adding 'there’s zero truth to what online "detectives" think they’ve cracked.' However, that hasn't stopped fans from speculating the group is the one formed by child star Hilary, particularly given her husband's very fiery response to Ashley's essay. So who is in the alleged 'toxic mom group'? Hilary Duff Hilary and Ashley have known each other for decades, having grown up together as fellow Disney Channel stars. Hilary and Ashley no longer follow each other on Instagram Hilary's husband Matthew Koma mocked Ashley's essay in The Cut by photoshopping his face over the image of Ashley and writing a new headline Hilary and Ashley have known each other for decades, having grown up together as fellow Disney Channel stars. While Ashley found fame on The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, Hilary made a name for herself on Lizzie McGuire. She was soon labelled a teen idol and went on to appear in films such as Agent Cody Bank, Cheaper by the Dozen and A Cinderella Story. Hilary took a break from the spotlight to start a family, going on to welcome daughters Banks, seven, Mae, four, and Townes, 20 months, with husband Matthew. She is also mom to son Luca, 13, from her previous marriage to Mike Comrie. The 38-year-old is currently in the midst of a career comeback thanks to her new single Mature, preparing for her own Las Vegas residency and working on a docuseries about her return to music with concert film director Sam Wrench. While Hilary has not commented on the alleged feud with Ashley, her husband hasn't held back with his thoughts on the fellow Disney star. The musician mocked Ashley's essay in The Cut by photoshopping his face over the image of Ashley and writing a new 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.'He also featured a smaller headline that read, 'A Mom Group Tell All Through A Father's Eye.' Hilary and Ashley no longer follow each other on Instagram. Mandy Moore Mandy Moore, 41, also found fame at a young age, just 15 years old when she rocketed to fame with her 1999 debut single, Candy. Mandy still follows Ashley on Instagram, Ashley does not follow her backMandy Moore, 41, also found fame at a young age, just 15 years old when she rocketed to fame with her 1999 debut single, Candy. She released her first studio album, So Real, four years later, with the record achieving Platinum status. Mandy went on to pursue a career in acting made her feature film debut in 2001 with a minor voice role in Dr. Dolittle 2, before landing a part role in the comedy The Princess Diaries that same year. In recent years she was acclaimed for her work on NBC family drama series This Is Us, receiving nominations for a Golden Globe Award and a Primetime Emmy Award. In 2019, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.Mandy shares three children with her husband Taylor Goldsmith: sons Gus, four, and Ozzie, three, and daughter Lou, 16 months.She recently admitted she feels a 'certain sadness' knowing she is finished having children after a routine visit to her gynecologist stirred up unexpected emotions.In an Instagram post, she penned: 'I'm at the OBGYN getting a checkup… I'm endlessly grateful for my beautiful family AND there's a certain sadness knowing I'm done having babies and won't be pregnant again. Any other moms feel this way?'Mandy still follows Ashley on Instagram, Ashley does not follow her back.Meghan Trainor While not a child star, Meghan Trainor was just 20 when she achieved global fame with her hit single, All That Bass. Meghan and Ashley still follow each other on InstagramWhile not a child star, Meghan Trainor was just 20 when she achieved global fame with her hit single, All That Bass, which sold 11 million copies worldwide. The singer, 32, was praised for the lyrics of the body positive lyrics of the song and was dubbed a 'model of self-acceptance for kids across the globe'. In recent months, however, the famously curvy star has been exhibiting a slimmer frame, admitting to using Mounjaro in order to lose weight.Meghan tied the knot with actor Daryl Sabara in 2018 and they went on to welcome two children. The couple are parents to son Riley, four, and Barry, two. Meghan and Ashley still follow each other on Instagram. Samii Ryan Clothing designer Samii Ryan made headlines this week when she seemingly responded to Ashley's claims of feeling frozen out by their groupWhile not a household name, clothing designer Samii Ryan made headlines this week when she seemingly responded to Ashley's claims of feeling frozen out by their group during her postpartum period.Samii, 34, raised eyebrows after reposting a video of a man mouthing the lyrics to Megan Thee Stallion's anthem Her as speculation over the 'toxic mom group' reached fever point. 'I don't care if these b*****s don't like me, 'cause, like, I'm pretty as f**k,' the track begins. 'Just the other day, I heard a h** say. Matter of fact, what could a h** say? With a face like this and a b**ch this paid, s**t, what could a h** say?'Samii captioned the clip with the words '2026 mood,' prompting fans to speculate the post was a pointed response to Ashley's recent comments.She also shared a photo of an open book, posting a page that read: 'Nothing in this book is known to be true/ It's a reflection on what I've noticed/ Not facts so much as thoughts.The passage continued: 'Some ideas may resonate, others may not/ A few may awaken an inner knowing you forgot you had/ Use what's helpful/ Let go of the rest.'While Samii follows Ashley on Instagram, Ashley does not follow her back. Gaby Dalkin Cookbook author and food influencer Gaby Dalkin is also part of the girl squad (pictured with Mandy) She appeared to hint at the 'toxic mom group' drama this week with a pointed remark on ThreadsCookbook author and food influencer Gaby Dalkin is also part of the girl squad. Gaby, 39, previously worked as a private chef before building her cookery brand, and now boasts one million Instagram followers.The chef struggled to fall pregnant, with doctors saying it was unexplained infertility. However, she managed to conceive naturally during the pandemic and welcomed daughter Poppy, now five. Gabby and husband Thomas went on to welcome son Finn in 2024. She appeared to hint at the 'toxic mom group' drama this week with a pointed remark on Threads. Gaby penned: 'Slowly coming back online after 2 weeks of family time, all the kid activities, and copious amounts of Christmas crack and cookies. What did I miss??? (laughing emojis). Gaby and Ashley do not follow each other on Instagram.Janice Gott Janice Gott has been a member of Hilary's mom squad since 2022, with Janice seen enjoying a girls' holiday with the group (pictured centre with Hilary and Kelsey Deenihan) Businesswoman Janice Gott has been a member of Hilary's mom squad since 2022, with Janice seen enjoying a girls' holiday with the group. The founder of the Muu breast pump company has one child - son Teddy.In December 2024, Janice is said to have a shared a snap of herself alongside Ashley, Hilary, Mandy, Meghan and Gaby when they attended a business event of hers. US Weekly reports she captioned the shot: 'I wish I had more photos with all the friends and like … my husband LOL but the point of this post is to say there is nothing like mom friends, or a husband who tells you to quit your career so you can build the other one that’s burning an idea in your brain, and then doing it so you can have a pound of caviar on a Thursday morning bc you said so.'Janice and Ashley still follow each other on Instagram.Kelsey Deenihan Celebrity makeup artist Kelsey Deenihan is another member of the squad. Kelsey and Ashley still follow each other on InstagramCelebrity makeup artist Kelsey Deenihan is another member of the squad. Kelsey is regularly credited for Hilary and Mandy's makeup looks and also boasts the likes of Reese Witherspoon, Cara Delevingne and Cindy Crawford among her clients. She has a daughter Poppy with her husband Taylor Fisher, who works for record label ROC Nation Distribution.Kelsey and Ashley still follow each other on Instagram.Whitney Wagner Hartley Influencer Whitney Wagner Hartley has been seen regularly with the mom group. Whitney and Ashley do not follow each other on Instagram Whitney, who has a son named Wylder with husband Travis Schneider, seemed to hint at drama this week with a cryptic post this week Influencer Whitney Wagner Hartley has been seen regularly with the mom group. Whitney, who has a son named Wylder with husband Travis Schneider, seemed to hint at drama this week with a cryptic post. She shared on her Instagram Stories: 'I am lowkey so jealous of people who are in denial. Like wdym (what do you mean) you have no idea what the f**k is going on? That sounds incredible.' In October, she shared snaps from the squad's trip to Ojai, which Ashley is not believed to have attended. She captioned the post: 'Leveling up but it’s really just making sure you’re surrounding yourself with people you’d trust to only say good things behind your back.'Thank you @theroblar for the most necessary 24 hrs, ily.'Whitney and Ashley do not follow each other on Instagram.Amanda Kaplan Artist Amanda Kaplan has been pictured several times with the squad (left, with Ashley). Amanda and Ashley still follow each other on InstagramArtist Amanda Kaplan has been pictured several times with the squad. Little is known about the painter and ceramicist but she was seen hugging Ashley in a sweet post from 2022. Amanda and Ashley still follow each other on Instagram. Haylee Davidowitz Little is known about Haylee Davidowitz (third from left) but she often appears in group snaps with the mom club. Haylee and Ashley still follow each other on InstagramLittle is known about Haylee Davidowitz but she often appears in group snaps with the mom club. She is mother to son Brax. Haylee and Ashley still follow each other on Instagram.Who's on team Ashley? After Ashley made her damning comments, the public seemed to side with Hilary, taking to social media to call her out. Fans commented: 'I'd love to hear the other side of this story'; 'Yeah if it’s maga Ashley vs THE Hilary duff, I’m always gonna be team Hilary'; 'we stand with Hilary Duff and Mandy Moore! you lost yourself Ashley, that's a shame';'The most hilarious part of this is girlie pop REALLY thought she could start a PR war against Hilary duff and come out on top. Like girl pls, Queen Hilary out icons you any day of the week';Ashley did receive some support, however, from her celebrity friends. After Ashley made her damning comments, the public seemed to side with Hilary, taking to social media to call her outHaylie Duff Surprisingly, one of the stars showing their approval was none other than Hilary Duff's sister Haylie, who 'liked Ashley's post promoting the essay. Once super-close, with Haylie and Hilary even starring together in the 2006 film Material Girls, it's believed the sisters have had a falling out. Since 2019, the once inseparable siblings have not been photographed publicly and appear to have little online interaction with one another.The rumored feud between the sisters reportedly stems from tension involving Hilary's husband, Matthew Koma, and Haylie's fiancé, Matthew Rosenberg.Celebrity gossip outlet DeuxMoi previously claimed the men 'don't get along,' leading to strain between the Duff sisters, though neither has ever publicly addressed the alleged distance in their relationship. Surprisingly, one of the stars showing their approval was none other than Hilary Duff's sister Haylie, who 'liked Ashley's post promoting the essay (pictured together in 2005) Haylie Duff, 40, hit the like button on The Cut and Tisdale's, 40, Instagram post promoting the essay penned on alleged mom-group tensionsIn November, Hilary hinted at the feud as she claimed 'family drama' was behind her decision to take a break from the music industry. Reflecting on how her life and priorities have shifted over the years, she said on Jake Shane's Therapuss podcast: 'Obviously, it's taken a lot of twists and turns and ups and downs and all of those things, but I have this crazy connection with fans that I've known since I was nine, ten years old, and I just want to connect with them again.'We have gone through a lot of the same things - whether that's complicated relationships, anxiety, raising kids, divorces, trying to find yourself in adulthood, family drama… 'Finally I felt safe enough and comfortable in my own family to step outside and open that part of myself up again.'Rebecca Gayheart Actress Rebecca Gayheart showed her support for Ashley. The Scream 2 star - who is married to Eric Dane - took to the comments to post a string of clapping emojisActress Rebecca Gayheart showed her support for Ashley. The Scream 2 star - who is married to Eric Dane - took to the comments to post a string of clapping emojis. Aimee Song Fashion designer and influencer Aimee Song was among those voicing her support for Ashley. The mother-of-two was quick to support the actress by commenting: 'Yess bb ❤️❤️'Fashion designer and influencer Aimee Song was among those voicing her support for Ashley. The mother-of-two was quick to support the actress by commenting: 'Yess bb ❤️❤️', on the post. Selma Blair (maybe) At first, Ashley seemed to have the support of fellow Hollywood star Selma Blair. The Cruel Intentions star had publicly consoled Ashley by commenting on her post: 'You can sit with me. ❤️' However, two days later the comment had mysteriously disappearedAt first, Ashley seemed to have the support of fellow Hollywood star Selma Blair. The Cruel Intentions star had publicly consoled Ashley by commenting on her post: 'You can sit with me. ❤️'However, two days later the comment had mysteriously disappeared. Selma has still 'liked' the post in question.
