In a move that has fuelled ongoing speculation about a family rift, Haylie Duff has seemingly shown public support for an essay written by Ashley Tisdale about so-called 'toxic mom groups' – a piece believed to reference her famous sister, Hilary Duff.
A Silent Endorsement Speaks Volumes
Haylie Duff, 40, clicked 'like' on an Instagram post promoting the viral essay penned by former 'High School Musical' star Ashley Tisdale for The Cut. The article, titled 'Breaking Up With My Toxic Mom Group,' details feelings of exclusion during postpartum periods, though it does not name specific individuals. Fans and commentators were quick to note that Haylie's engagement with the post arrives amid years of rumours about a serious estrangement between her and her younger sister, 'Lizzie McGuire' actress Hilary Duff.
The Duff sisters, once inseparable, have not been photographed together publicly since 2019 and show little online interaction. The speculated feud is widely reported to stem from tensions between their partners: Hilary's husband, musician Matthew Koma, and Haylie's fiancé, Matthew Rosenberg. Celebrity gossip outlet DeuxMoi has previously claimed the two men "don't get along," creating a strain between the sisters. Neither Hilary nor Haylie has ever publicly addressed the alleged distance.
Matthew Koma's Blistering Response
The drama escalated when Hilary Duff's husband, Matthew Koma, 38, issued a scathing retort aimed directly at Ashley Tisdale. Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, Koma posted a photoshopped image of his own head on Tisdale's body, mimicking the style of The Cut's article photo. He added a mock headline that read: 'When You're the Most Self Obsessed Tone Deaf Person on Earth, Other Moms Tend to Shift Focus to Their Actual Toddlers.'
Koma's post was a direct response to the speculation that Tisdale, 40, had fallen out with his wife, Hilary, over the alleged tensions within their mom group. Tisdale's essay described noticing she wasn't invited to gatherings she later saw on Instagram, triggering feelings of high-school-era exclusion. "It took me back to an unpleasant but familiar feeling I thought I'd left behind years ago," she wrote.
Unfollowing and Fallout in an A-List Circle
The group in question reportedly included Hilary Duff, Mandy Moore, and Meghan Trainor, who bonded after having children around the same time. Tisdale was once a core member, sharing vacations, baby classes, and playdates over four years. However, fans noted she recently unfollowed both Duff and Moore on Instagram, and her essay arrived shortly after.
"To be clear I have never considered the moms to be bad people (maybe one)," Tisdale clarified in her piece. "But I do think our group dynamic stopped being healthy and positive - for me anyway." She recounted ultimately sending a text to the group saying, "This is too high school for me and I don't want to take part in it anymore."
Meanwhile, Hilary Duff and Mandy Moore appear to remain close. The longtime friends have publicly supported each other, even living together temporarily during the Los Angeles wildfires last year after Moore lost her home. They were recently seen enjoying a festive trip with their children.
Another alleged member of the group, clothing designer Samii Ryan, also appeared to weigh in indirectly. She reposted a video featuring lyrics from Megan Thee Stallion's song 'Her,' which begins: "I don't care if these b*****s don't like me," captioning it "2026 mood."
Hilary Duff shares son Luca, 13, with ex-husband Mike Comrie, and three daughters with Matthew Koma. Ashley Tisdale shares daughter Jupiter, 4, and 16-month-old son Emerson with her husband, composer Christopher French. Representatives for the involved parties have been contacted for comment.
