How did Hilary Duff respond to mom group rumors? Pop star addresses claims after Ashley Tisdale essay

Hilary Duff is responding to speculation about her social circle after Ashley Tisdale detailed leaving a "toxic" mom group, saying scrutiny over her friendships is nothing new.

In an exclusive conversation with the Los Angeles Times, published on February 20, the So Yesterday hitmaker spoke out amid renewed attention on her friendships, sharing that she grew up accustomed to headlines dissecting her private life.

"I mean, this is not new for me. I've had this since I was maybe 15 and starting to get followed around by paparazzi. Everything starts getting documented and everyone knows my life and all the players in it."

Hilary Duff continued:

"So the stories that get news pickup—it's not what happens to a normal person who maybe became an actor as an adult. And now it's escalated by the talking heads on TikTok that need clickbait. It's hard because you're like, 'Wait, whoa, that person kind of got it right,' and 'Whoa that person doesn't know what they're talking about.'"

Also Read: What inspired Hilary Duff’s new song "Mature"? Pop star looks back on a formative chapter of her life

Ashley Tisdale opens up about mom circle: "Mom groups can turn toxic"

The pop star's interview comes months after Ashley Tisdale published her Substack essay, titled "You're Allowed to Leave Your Mom Group," where she discussed her feelings of exclusion and the decision to leave a group often associated with media reports.

The full article went viral following its feature on The Cut in January 2026.

"When I became a mom, I craved connection almost as much as I craved sleep. So I did what a lot of us do. I joined a mom group."

Ashley Tisdale, who wrote under the byline Tisdale French, added:

"But here's the thing nobody prepared me for: Mom groups can turn toxic. Not because the moms themselves are toxic people, but because the dynamic shifts into an ugly place with mean-girl behavior. I know this from personal experience."

The Hellcats star didn't name names in her essay, although she previously shared glimpses of herself hanging out with a few celebrity moms, such as Hilary Duff, Meghan Trainor, and Mandy Moore.

Hilary Duff on the chatter surrounding the alleged toxic mom friend group: "When crazy s**t happens, I go home and quiet the noise"

Meanwhile, following the chatter about the High School Musical alum's piece, Hilary Duff was asked by the Times if she could shun the buzz, and she answered that it "depends on the day."

"Knowing that I get to open up the backdoors and play soccer as a family and take a hot tub and go get our chicken eggs—that's the purpose of life. On the days when crazy s**t happens, I go home and quiet the noise."

The Lizzie McGuire icon also indicated that she's on good terms with the members of that mom circle.

Trending

"I saw something that was like, 'None of the moms at school actually like her and neither do the teachers.' By the way, the women at school are lovely and I'm obsessed with all of them."

Also Read: How did Mandy Moore support Hilary Duff's tour finale? Singer shares sweet Instagram tribute

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback