For days the internet has been gripped by the ins and outs of the ‘toxic mom group‘.
This feels like a silly argument you’d expect from teens, not a group of mothers – who are being criticized for acting like they’re in high school by leaving one member out.
Ashley Tisdale recently sparked a lot of online discussion after publishing an essay about ending her relationship with a group of mothers she described as negative and harmful.
Vanessa Hudgens, 40, has often spoken fondly of the support she receives from other mothers, including Hilary Duff, Mandy Moore, and Meghan Trainor. This support group was particularly helpful after she welcomed her daughter, Jupiter, in 2021.
She said she recently started feeling excluded by the group, which led her to end the friendship by sending a text message saying she couldn’t handle the drama anymore.
Although Ashley didn’t mention the specific friends involved, many fans pointed out that the revealing essay was published soon after she stopped following Hilary and Mandy on Instagram.
Hilary’s husband, Matthew Koma, made the situation worse by publicly criticizing Ashley’s article, calling her self-absorbed and insensitive.
The Daily Mail is reporting all the details about the recent drama involving a controversial ‘mom group,’ including who is said to be involved and which celebrities have taken sides.
What did Ashley Tisdale say about the ‘toxic mom group’?
Ashley and her husband, composer Christopher French, have two young children. They welcomed their daughter, Jupiter, in 2021, and their son, Emerson, is now 16 months old.
Oh my gosh, she was always with this amazing group of Hollywood moms! Hilary Duff started it, and honestly, it was the cutest thing. They’ve been inseparable for like, four years – constantly on vacations together, taking their babies to classes, and having all these adorable playdates. I’ve been following them for ages, and it’s just so sweet to see how close they all are!
She shared a post from a 2022 girls’ weekend with Hilary and Megan Trainor, saying she had a wonderful time and loved being with them.
She excitedly shared at the time how wonderful it was to go through motherhood with such a great group of women.
Just in January 2025, she publicly expressed her gratitude to her mom group for their support during the Los Angeles wildfires, saying, ‘It’s wonderful to see people connecting – thank you to the mom group for being there for me through everything.’
However, she was not present on a girls’ trip to Ojai a few months later in October.
The next month, Ashley wrote a post about leaving her mom group because she felt left out by the other members.
Following a November 2025 blog post on ByAshleyFrench, she wrote an article for The Cut, but chose not to identify the women featured in it.
She noticed she was being left out of events, and she’d often find out about them later by seeing pictures on Instagram.
She wrote that it brought back a bad, but recognizable, feeling she believed she’d overcome long ago.
I was sitting by myself one night, after putting my daughter to sleep, and started wondering if I was cool enough.
Suddenly, I felt like I was back in high school, confused and wondering what I had done to be excluded.
‘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.’
Ashley decided to share her story because she realized she wasn’t alone – many other mothers had similar upsetting experiences with a group meant to be supportive.
Who are the members of the ‘toxic mom group’?
Okay, so everyone started thinking Ashley was dropping hints about her famous friends, and honestly, I was so into trying to figure it out! But then her team had to go and ruin all the fun, saying it definitely wasn’t about anyone we thought it was. Seriously, buzzkills! I just wanted some juicy details!
A representative told TMZ that Ashley’s comments were misrepresented to attract online attention, and that rumors circulating online are completely false.
Despite this, fans continue to guess that the group in question includes Hilary, especially considering the strong reaction her husband had to Ashley’s article.
So who is in the alleged ‘toxic mom group’?
Hilary Duff
Hilary and Ashley have been friends for a long time, ever since they both started out as child actors on the Disney Channel.
Ashley became well-known through her role on The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, while Hilary first gained recognition starring in Lizzie McGuire.
She quickly became a teen sensation and starred in movies like Agent Cody Banks, Cheaper by the Dozen, and A Cinderella Story.
Oh my gosh, Hilary Duff just completely disappeared for a while to focus on her family, and it was the sweetest thing! She and Matthew have three adorable daughters – Banks, who’s seven, little Mae, who’s four, and the baby, Townes, who’s barely 20 months old! I’ve been following her since Lizzie McGuire and seeing her become a mom just makes me so happy for her!
She is also mom to son Luca, 13, from her previous marriage to Mike Comrie.
At 38, she’s experiencing a career resurgence with her new single, “Mature.” She’s also getting ready for a Las Vegas residency and collaborating with concert film director Sam Wrench on a documentary series about her musical comeback.
Hilary hasn’t spoken publicly about the reported conflict with Ashley, but her husband has shared his opinions about the other Disney star.
The musician responded to Ashley’s essay in The Cut by creating a doctored image. He put his own face onto the original photo and changed the headline to read: ‘When you’re incredibly self-absorbed and out of touch, other mothers usually focus on their children.’
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, now 41, became famous very young. She was just 15 when her first single, “Candy,” became a hit in 1999.
Let me tell you, launching my first album, ‘So Real,’ was a dream come true! It took four years of hard work, but it was all worth it when the album went Platinum. It was an incredible feeling!
Mandy began her acting career and first appeared in a movie in 2001, providing a small voice role in Dr. Dolittle 2. Later that same year, she also had a part in the comedy film, The Princess Diaries.
She recently gained recognition for her work on the NBC drama This Is Us, and was nominated for both a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award.
In 2019, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Mandy and her husband, Taylor Goldsmith, have three children: sons Gus, age four, and Ozzie, age three, and their daughter Lou, who is sixteen months old.
She recently shared that she felt a bit sad realizing she’s done having children. This feeling came up after a regular check-up with her doctor brought on some unexpected emotions.
She shared on Instagram that she was at the doctor for a checkup and expressed mixed emotions. While incredibly thankful for her family, she also felt a bit sad knowing she’s finished having children and won’t experience pregnancy again, asking if other moms felt the same way.
Mandy still follows Ashley on Instagram, Ashley does not follow her back.
Meghan Trainor
Meghan Trainor didn’t start as a child star, but she quickly became famous at age 20 with her popular song, “All About That Bass,” which sold over 11 million copies around the world.
The 32-year-old singer received praise for the empowering lyrics of her song, with many calling her a positive role model for children worldwide.
Recently, the well-known actress has noticeably lost weight and has publicly shared that she’s been using the medication Mounjaro to help her achieve that.
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, though not widely known, recently gained attention after appearing to address claims made by Ashley about feeling excluded by their friend group after having a baby.
People noticed Samii, 34, shared a video of someone lip-syncing to Megan Thee Stallion’s song ‘Her’ as rumors about a difficult group of mothers intensified.
‘I don’t care if these b*****s don’t like me, ’cause, like, I’m pretty as f**k,’ the track begins.
I recently overheard someone express their disbelief. Considering their appearance and the expensive treatment they received, it’s understandable they’d be taken aback.
Samii shared a video with the caption ‘2026 mood,’ leading fans to believe it was a reaction to comments recently made by Ashley.
She posted a picture of an open book, sharing a page with a message explaining that the writing wasn’t based on facts, but rather her own observations and reflections. It was presented as her thoughts, not necessarily truths.
The message went on to say that some thoughts will feel right, while others won’t. A few might remind you of something you already knew deep down. Take what feels useful to you, and simply leave the rest behind.
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.
Gaby, age 39, used to be a private chef. She then created her own cooking brand and now has a million followers on Instagram.
The chef struggled to fall pregnant, with doctors saying it was unexplained infertility.
Despite facing challenges, she became pregnant naturally during the pandemic and gave birth to her daughter, Poppy, who is now five years old.
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.
I’m finally getting back to work after two weeks of spending time with family, keeping up with the kids, and indulging in lots of holiday treats! What did I miss while I was out? (Haha!)
Gaby and Ashley do not follow each other on Instagram.
Janice Gott
Janice Gott, a businesswoman, has been friends with Hillary’s close-knit group of moms since 2022, and was recently spotted on vacation with them.
The founder of the Muu breast pump company has one child – son Teddy.
In December 2024, Janice reportedly posted a photo with Ashley, Hilary, Mandy, Meghan, and Gaby after they attended one of her work events.
According to US Weekly, she wrote with the photo: ‘I wish I had more pictures with my friends and my husband—funny enough! But I wanted to share how amazing it is to have mom friends, or a husband who supports your dreams, even if it means changing careers. It’s incredible to be able to pursue a passion and even enjoy a little luxury, like caviar on a Thursday, just because you want to!’
Janice and Ashley still follow each other on Instagram.
Kelsey Deenihan
Celebrity makeup artist Kelsey Deenihan is another member of the squad.
Kelsey is a sought-after makeup artist known for creating looks for Hilary and Mandy, as well as celebrities like Reese Witherspoon, Cara Delevingne, and Cindy Crawford.
She and her husband, Taylor Fisher, who works at ROC Nation Distribution, have a daughter named Poppy.
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, who shares a son named Wylder with her husband Travis Schneider, recently suggested something dramatic happened with a mysterious social media post.
She jokingly expressed envy on Instagram, saying she wished she could be like people who are completely unaware of what’s happening. She wrote that not knowing what’s going on sounded amazing.
She posted photos in October from a group trip to Ojai, but Ashley wasn’t with them.
She explained in her post that ‘leveling up’ really means being around people who support you and speak positively about you when you’re not around.
‘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.
Not much is known about this artist who works with both paint and ceramics, but a heartwarming photo from 2022 shows her embracing Ashley.
Amanda and Ashley still follow each other on Instagram.
Haylee Davidowitz
Little 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?
Following Ashley’s critical statements, public opinion appeared to shift in Hilary’s favor, with many people using social media to express their disapproval of Ashley’s comments.
People reacted to the situation, with one commenter saying they wanted to know more details. Another expressed support for Hilary Duff, stating they would always side with her in a conflict with someone else.
‘we stand with Hilary Duff and Mandy Moore! you lost yourself Ashley, that’s a shame’;
It’s so funny that this person actually believed they could win a public battle against Hilary Duff. Hilary is a total icon and easily overshadows them!
Ashley did receive some support, however, from her celebrity friends.
Haylie Duff
Interestingly, Hilary Duff’s sister, Haylie, publicly showed her support by liking Ashley’s post about the essay.
Haylie and Hilary Duff were once very close, even appearing in the 2006 movie Material Girls together, but they reportedly had a disagreement and are no longer as close.
The siblings, who used to be very close, haven’t been seen together in public since 2019 and rarely connect with each other online.
Reports suggest a disagreement between the sisters is due to friction between Hilary’s husband, Matthew Koma, and Haylie’s fiancé, Matthew Rosenberg.
As a lifestyle expert, I’ve been following the buzz, and it’s been rumored – thanks to sources like DeuxMoi – that there’s some tension between Hilary and Haylie Duff’s significant others. Apparently, they don’t always see eye-to-eye, which has supposedly created a bit of a strain on the sisters’ relationship. However, neither Hilary nor Haylie has ever spoken publicly about any distance between them, so it’s all just speculation at this point.
Last November, Hilary suggested a family conflict was the reason she stepped back from making music.
Looking back on her life and what’s important to her now, she shared on the Therapuss podcast with Jake Shane that things haven’t always been easy, but she feels a strong bond with fans she’s known since childhood and really wants to reconnect with them.
We’ve all faced similar challenges – things like difficult relationships, anxiety, the ups and downs of parenting, divorce, figuring out who we are as adults, and dealing with family issues.
I finally felt secure and accepted by my family, which gave me the confidence to be myself again.
Rebecca Gayheart
Actress Rebecca Gayheart showed her support for Ashley.
Rebecca Gayheart, wife of Eric Dane, responded to the post with a series of clapping hand 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 ❤️❤️’, on the post.
Selma Blair (maybe)
At first, Ashley seemed to have the support of fellow Hollywood star Selma Blair.
The actress from Cruel Intentions publicly offered Ashley support by writing ‘You can sit with me. ❤️’ in the comments of her post.
However, two days later the comment had mysteriously disappeared.
Selma has still ‘liked’ the post in question.
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2026-01-08 17:27