Singer Meghan Trainor has publicly addressed the swirling rumours that she was part of a so-called 'toxic mom group' in Hollywood, a circle of friends recently criticised by actress Ashley Tisdale in a viral personal essay.
The Viral Essay That Sparked the Feud
The drama began when Ashley Tisdale, 40, published a candid article entitled 'Breaking Up With My Toxic Mom Group' in The Cut on New Year's Day. In the piece, the High School Musical star, who shares daughters Jupiter, 4, and Emerson, 16 months, with husband Christopher French, detailed feeling excluded by a clique of fellow celebrity mothers during her most recent postpartum period.
While Tisdale refrained from naming names, speculation immediately turned to a close-knit group she had frequently praised in the past. This 'village of moms' had included fellow stars Mandy Moore, Hilary Duff, and Meghan Trainor. Fans noted that Tisdale had unfollowed both Moore and Duff on Instagram just before the essay's publication, further fuelling the fire.
Trainor's Tongue-in-Cheek Response
As the online conjecture intensified, Meghan Trainor, 32, finally offered her reaction. The mother of two, who has sons Riley, 4, and Barry, 2, with actor husband Daryl Sabara, took to TikTok. She posted a clip of herself looking wide-eyed with mock concern while sitting at a computer, captioned: 'me finding out about the apparent mom group drama.'
Notably, Instagram follow status reveals a complex dynamic: Tisdale still follows Trainor on the platform, but Trainor does not follow her back. Meanwhile, Tisdale has cut digital ties with Moore and Duff.
Trainor's husband, Daryl Sabara, was also drawn into the controversy. When questioned by TMZ about the 'drama', he stated, 'No drama over here, just trying to keep the kids happy.' Pressed further on Tisdale, he added, 'I don't really know what's going on. I hope she's okay, though.'
Escalation and Underlying Tensions
The fallout from Tisdale's essay quickly spread beyond the core group. Hilary Duff's husband, musician Matthew Koma, posted a sarcastic parody headline seemingly aimed at Tisdale, calling her 'the Most Self-Obsessed Tone Deaf Person on Earth.' Mandy Moore then publicly praised Koma, highlighting that he had given her family a place to stay during the Los Angeles wildfires a year prior.
Rumours have circulated about potential reasons for the rift. Some online sleuths pointed to a controversial social media post Tisdale made in September following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, where she lamented political division. Her comments sparked liberal backlash, leading her to defend her pro-LGBTQ+ and pro-gun control stance.
However, a source told Page Six the split was due to 'a myriad of things, not just one specific' issue. The situation highlights the intense scrutiny and complex social dynamics within Hollywood's parenting circles, where past public declarations of support clash with private feelings of exclusion.
