Ashley Tisdale says she walked away from a friendship circle she once thought was supportive, describing it as “toxic” and comparing it to high school band dynamics.
In a frank essay for The cut about her experience, High school musical The star explained that being repeatedly excluded from social gatherings with her moms group left her feeling hurt and alienated, so much so that she eventually cut ties.
Tisdale, 40, wrote that the group initially felt like a village of friends who could share the ups and downs of motherhood, but over time she began to notice subtle exclusion, ranging from being left out of hangouts or the awkward seating arrangements at dinner parties.
Social media has only made it worse.
She remembers once sitting alone after putting her daughter to bed and suddenly feeling “totally lost as to what I was doing ‘wrong’ to be left out.”
Eventually, Tisdale sent a group message saying, “This is too high school for me and I don’t want to attend anymore” and decided to prioritize his own well-being.
She told her fellow stars and friends that motherhood brings enough challenges without having to wonder if the people around you really support you.
Her decision sparked speculation online, particularly after she unfollowed a few celebrity moms on social media, including Hilary Duff and Mandy Moore, leading some fans to connect them to the group she mentioned.
However, a representative for Tisdale denied that the essay was about Duff, Moore or Meghan Trainor, saying the article was not intended to call out specific individuals.
While some members of the circle reportedly tried to work things out with her, Tisdale felt the overall atmosphere had become unhealthy for her own mental health.
In her essay, she emphasizes that she does not consider most of the women in the group to be “bad people”, but that the dynamic has ceased to be positive for her.
Tisdale’s reflection sparked broader conversations online about the complexity of adult friendships and how even small social groups can feel like strangers, especially during major life transitions such as parenthood.
Her open-mindedness resonated with many people who have experienced similar social challenges, highlighting how relationships between adults can sometimes mirror the childish behavior we adopt during the school years.
