Ashley Tisdale stuns fans with unexpected new name 11 years after marriage

Ashley Tisdale is starting a fresh phase in her life and career, and is now going by Ashley French.

The 40-year-old actress, known for High School Musical, revealed in a TikTok video that she’s officially changing her name. She explained that she’s been using her married name personally for a while, but now feels comfortable sharing the update with everyone.

Tisdale has been married to musician Christopher French for 11 years.

I’ve always been called Ashley French by my family and friends, she said. But I hadn’t officially changed my name because most people know me as Ashley Tisdale. I just wanted people to get to know me, not just a character I played or a famous person.

The singer explained that this change is about being more true to herself, especially now that she’s in her 40s and raising a family.

The actress, who has two daughters – Jupiter, age 4, and Emerson, 13 months – with her husband, feels she has a lot more to discuss now that she’s moved beyond her early career with Disney.

She admitted she hadn’t shared such personal details with anyone before, but felt ready to open up, particularly now that she’s in her 40s, a parent, and a business owner. She had a lot she wanted to discuss.

Madison Tisdale has always given fans a peek into her family life online, but she recently explained that changes to social media have led her to focus more on building a genuine connection with people through her wellness brand, By Ashley French, and its website.

She said the platform allowed her to share her experiences as a mother in a supportive environment and write about things she cares about.

She explained that Instagram has become very different lately. It’s hard to tell what’s genuine and what’s fake, and there’s a lot of commentary, which isn’t always kind. While she doesn’t want to avoid all criticism, she decided to stop sharing in the same way to protect her own well-being.

People immediately filled the comments section with positive messages, praising her choice to be herself and move beyond being known only for her famous characters.

One person commented that Ashley French is attractive and they were happy to see her change her appearance.

Someone else shared, ‘I get what you mean about finding yourself. Being a stay-at-home mom feels like it’s my only identity sometimes. It’s wonderful that you’re finally showing everyone who you really are – you’re so much more than just those characters!’

Others echoed similar sentiments, celebrating both her personal growth and business success.

One fan excitedly wrote, “I really want to get to know you better, Mrs. French! You were such an inspiration to me growing up, and I’m loving this more personal connection.” Another fan praised her success, saying, “It’s great to see your brand doing so well and to get a glimpse of the real you! I’ve been a fan since your Disney days and I love your Frenshe products!”

One even declared that ‘Ashley French actually sounds better than Ashley Tisdale.’

She recently shared these thoughts just weeks after discussing her difficult relationship with diet trends and the drug Ozempic.

The former Disney star shared that she’s considered trying weight loss drugs, but ultimately decided not to.

In a recent, honest essay, Maddie Tisdale shared her feelings about the pressures of weight loss, the harmful effects of diet culture, and struggling with body image. She explained how the standards for what’s considered ‘ideal’ keep changing, which she finds incredibly draining.

Ashley Tisdale shared her thoughts in a post on her website. She and her husband, Christopher French, are parents to two children.

Just to be clear, I have no opinion or criticism whatsoever about anyone who chooses to use Ozempic or similar medications. It’s a personal decision about your body, and like with plastic surgery, it’s entirely up to you.

Honestly, if getting a shot makes someone feel good – like, actually comfortable and healthy in their own skin – then amazing! I think these things are incredible, truly. They can completely change your life, and for so many people, they really, really do. It’s just…amazing to see the difference it makes!

It’s strange to see already thin people joining these trends, and it just highlights how quickly beauty standards change. One minute curves are popular, the next everyone wants to be very slender – it feels like the 2000s, when large breasts were fashionable, then suddenly everyone preferred a flatter chest.

After a decade of celebrating all body types, there’s a renewed focus on being very thin, which feels frustrating because beauty standards are always changing.

Tisdale observed that discussions about Ozempic, especially online and relating to body image, have created more challenges in controlling the narrative and addressing misinformation.

She noted that people often harshly criticize others’ appearances online, doing so in ways they would never do in person.

It’s become commonplace to comment on people’s bodies – guessing about pregnancy or criticizing their weight – but that doesn’t make it okay.

It all creates a sense that you’re constantly being evaluated, and nothing you do will ever be good enough. Because of this, ultimately, your own well-being and how you feel about yourself are the most important things.

I’ve considered Ozempic, but ultimately decided it’s not for me. I’m not opposed to traditional medicine, but I prefer to look at weight loss in a more comprehensive way. I believe weight is closely connected to things like hormones, sleep, diet, mental wellbeing, genetics, and stress – and, for me personally, also autoimmune conditions.

After giving birth to her second child, Emerson, last year, Tisdale has focused on learning to love her body and accept the changes it’s gone through – not just from two pregnancies, but also from health issues and the natural stages of being a woman.

‘Maybe it would have gone faster with a GLP-1, but that wasn’t the path I took,’ she wrote.

After having a baby, I’ve found a few things really helpful for getting back in touch with my body: focusing on eating a balanced diet with the right amounts of protein, carbs, and fats, practicing yoga and Pilates, and aiming for 12,000 steps of walking each day.

Concluding her post, Tisdale urged people to practice self-kindness.

She explained that the greatest achievement is finding self-acceptance, not just now, but always – throughout all of life’s changes.

I personally don’t use Ozempic, but if it works for you, that’s perfectly okay. Everyone’s journey is different, and the most important thing is finding what helps you feel healthy, happy, and comfortable in your own skin.

Many people on social media related to Ashley Tisdale’s comments about Ozempic and how it affects body image, and expressed their agreement with her perspective.

One Reddit user pointed out that it’s concerning how far people will go to achieve a certain body size, whether it’s to meet an ideal, feel ‘needed,’ or even just use Ozempic without a clear reason. They highlighted the importance of considering who is using the drug and their motivations.

Someone else agreed, stating: ‘She’s right. When something is done only to look good, it’s often not good for you.’

Someone else agreed, sharing that growing up during the ‘heroin chic’ trend was really damaging. They’re still dealing with the effects of it years later, and are worried that the same harmful aesthetic is making a comeback, which they find deeply upsetting.

Ozempic is a prescription injection used to treat Type 2 diabetes. It works by helping to lower blood sugar and may also reduce the chance of serious heart problems.

This medication helps with weight management and improves overall health by acting like a natural hormone in the body. It encourages insulin release and slows down digestion, which helps control appetite. It’s given as a weekly injection and works best when used alongside a healthy diet and regular exercise.

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2025-11-20 20:50