Amid a swirling controversy over her revelations about a 'toxic' celebrity mother's group, actress Ashley Tisdale has chosen to focus on her own wellbeing. The 40-year-old star treated herself to a luxurious day of relaxation, sharing glimpses of the experience with her followers.
A Spa Sanctuary Amid the Storm
On Tuesday, the High School Musical alum turned to her Instagram Stories, offering fans a peek at what she called the 'best treat'. In a makeup-free selfie, Tisdale showcased glowing skin, crediting her aesthetician, Sarah Chase, for the pampering session. The post served as a brief but deliberate pause from the ongoing public discussion about her recent candid essay.
Further slides from her day of self-care featured a row of four singing bowls arranged on a wooden floor, tools known for aiding meditation and promoting calm. Another image captured bright sunshine filtering through sheer curtains, completing the portrait of a serene escape.
The Viral Essay That Sparked the Drama
This moment of peace follows the publication of Tisdale's personal essay for The Cut titled 'Breaking Up With My Toxic Mom Group'. In the article, she explained her decision to leave a close-knit group of celebrity mothers that included friends like Hilary Duff and Mandy Moore.
Tisdale described feeling 'frozen out' during her postpartum period after the birth of her daughters, Jupiter, four, and one-year-old Emerson. She expressed a sense of painful familiarity, writing, '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 final straw came when she was excluded from another gathering, prompting her to text the group: 'This is too high school for me and I don't want to take part in it anymore.'
While she insisted she didn't consider most members 'bad people', she stated the dynamic had become unhealthy for her. Notably, around the time the essay was released, fans observed that Tisdale had unfollowed both Duff and Moore on Instagram.
Reactions and Ripples from the Group
The fallout from the viral article has prompted responses from others connected to the group. Mandy Moore addressed the topic indirectly on the Conversations With Cam podcast. She spoke about friendships naturally evolving, noting a drift towards parents with children the same age as her own three kids. 'I've had to sort of mourn in a way, not the loss of those friendships, but how they've changed,' she reflected.
In a more direct defence, Hilary Duff's husband, Matthew Koma, publicly criticised Tisdale. On Instagram, he shared a photoshopped image superimposing his head onto Tisdale's body from The Cut article, alongside a fake headline calling her 'the Most Self Obsessed Tone Deaf Person on Earth'.
Adding another layer to the saga, Duff's sister, Haylie Duff—with whom she is rumoured to be estranged—liked a social media post promoting Tisdale's essay. Meanwhile, singer Meghan Trainor, often rumoured to be part of the circle, has recently denied any involvement.
For now, Ashley Tisdale appears to be navigating the very public unraveling of private friendships by prioritising her own peace and relaxation, a move many of her followers have applauded.
