> At a Glance
> – Ashley Tisdale’s rep says her viral essay on a “toxic mom group” was not about Mandy Moore, Hilary Duff, or Meghan Trainor
> – The 40-year-old actress wrote of being frozen out of playdates and feeling “back in high school”
> – She ultimately quit the chat, texting: “This is too high school for me”
> – Why it matters: Tisdale wants moms to know exclusionary cliques can happen at any age-and it’s okay to walk away
Ashley Tisdale is setting the record straight after fans speculated her blistering essay on mom-group drama was aimed at her celebrity pals. A rep for the High School Musical alum told TMZ January 5 that the rumors are false and Tisdale’s words were “twisted.”
Inside the Essay
Writing for The Cut on January 1, the mom of two-Jupiter, 4, and Emerson, 16 months-described bonding with fellow moms over shared chaos and coffee, convinced she’d “found my village.”
Over time, invitations dried up. She’d scroll Instagram to see the others laughing at playdates she never knew existed.
- At first she blamed hectic schedules
- Then she wondered if she was “not cool enough”
- Finally she realized the pattern felt like teenage rejection
> “All of a sudden, I was in high school again, feeling totally lost as to what I was doing ‘wrong’ to be left out.”
The Exit
Tisdale ended the saga with a group text: “This is too high school for me and I don’t want to take part in it anymore.”
Responses ranged from half-hearted apologies to claims of ignorance about the snubs.
| Reaction | Moms’ Response |
|---|---|
| Some moms | Insincere apologies |
| Others | Said they didn’t know why she was excluded |
Her takeaway for readers: “Motherhood has enough challenges without having to wonder if the people around you are on your side.”
Key Takeaways
- Tisdale’s essay centers on unnamed everyday moms, not her famous friends
- She hopes the story encourages women to find supportive circles
- Social media glam shots can mask real-life exclusion
- Walking away from toxic friendships is healthy at any age
The actress, now using her married name Ashley French, continues to promote open conversations around modern motherhood.
