Mandy Moore and Hilary Duff Felt 'Unfairly Portrayed' By Ashley Tisdale Essay As There Was No 'Mean Girl' Behavior

In the wake of Ashley Tisdale's revealing essay, Mandy Moore and Hilary Duff are said to have a different perspective, alleging that Tisdale misrepresented their circle.

The “High School Musical” alum began the year by opening up about her experience in a parenting community she was once part of, but her remarks have stirred controversy.

With speculation that the piece was aimed at Duff and Moore, whose friendship with Tisdale has cooled in recent months, the two actresses are reportedly challenging her narrative. 

How Mandy Moore And Hilary Duff Reportedly Reacted To Ashley Tisdale’s Exposé About Their Group

Tisdale’s "The Cut" article appears to have struck a nerve with Moore and Duff, with sources saying the actresses were taken aback by how the story was told.

According to an insider, the "Phineas and Ferb” star’s decision to go public has left Moore and Duff unsettled.

"They all feel blindsided and hurt by Ashley speaking out the way she did," a source told US Magazine. "From their perspective, they believed the group was supportive and coming from a good place, and they never thought there was any bad intent behind how things played out."

The insider explained that what was most concerning for them was that matters they felt could have been resolved privately were instead aired publicly, leaving them feeling “unfairly portrayed.”

The source also shared Moore and Duff's side of the story, which differs from Tisdale's account. "The moms insist there was no 'mean girl' behavior and say they were genuinely trying to be there for one another during a really vulnerable time in all of their lives," the source added.

Ashley Tisdale Recounts Feeling Left Out Of Mom Group, Leading Her To Her Exit

In Tisdale’s article, which The Blast reported a few days ago, she reflected how the dynamic within her mom circle shifted. Initially excited to join after her daughter's birth, she later discovered that the other women were spending time together without her.

Feeling excluded, she started to question the sincerity of the friendships. Over time, the situation became draining, and Tisdale eventually sent a direct message to the group announcing her departure. 

In it, she described the atmosphere as "too high school" and made clear she no longer wanted to be involved.

Highlighting the shift in the group's energy, she added that the relationships had "stopped being healthy and positive — for me anyway."

Ashley Tisdale Defends Revelations, Says It’s Not Aimed At Any Celebrity 

Tisdale’s candid revelations sparked backlash, with speculation that her essay was directed at Duff, Moore, and Meghan Trainor.

Her representative quickly stepped in to clarify, stressing that the piece was not intended as a personal attack. As The Blast reported, the spokesperson firmly denied those claims, explaining that the essay was meant to highlight Tisdale's own experience within a motherhood community, which she described as "toxic." 

The rep also addressed rumors surrounding the fallout, dismissing claims that politics played a role. They confirmed that Tisdale is not aligned with the Republican Party but is, in fact, a registered Democrat.

Hilary Duff’s Husband Throws Shade At Ashley Tisdale 

As reactions continued to pour in, Duff’s partner, Matthew Koma, joined in, poking fun at Tisdale with a scathing comment. 

According to The Blast, Koma posted on Instagram Stories a photoshopped image of himself replacing Tisdale on her cover photo. He paired the image with a mock headline that read, "A Mom Group Tell All Through A Father's Eyes." 

He continued with a biting remark aimed at Tisdale. "When You're The Most Self Obsessed Tone Deaf Person On Earth, Other Moms Tend To Shift Focus To Their Actual Toddlers,” the comment read.

Inside Ashley Tisdale’s Relationships With Other Disney Stars

While Tisdale has spoken of her experience in a mom community, she has also been candid about her other relationships. 

Per The Blast, the 40-year-old singer previously spoke of her bond with the casts of the Disney show, which had stars like Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, and Corbin Bleu, noting they still keep in touch even though the series ended in 2008.

Tisdale described her former castmates as "really are all good people," noting that the whirlwind years they experienced together continue to stand as proof of their lasting friendship.