Mandy Moore has spoken out about Ashley Tisdale French's essay detailing her experience with a 'toxic' mom group, calling it 'very upsetting' in a recent interview with Andy Cohen on SiriusXM's Radio Andy. The 42-year-old actress and singer expressed her dismay during the Monday conversation, noting that the essay felt deeply personal and hurtful.
Moore's Reaction to the Essay
Moore admitted that reading Tisdale French's account was 'wild' and different from the usual scrutiny celebrities face. 'It's like we both have grown up in this business and had people dissect who we are and the choices we make and all of that, but this was something altogether different and decidedly way more upsetting. It just cuts to the core,' she said. Moore referenced that Hilary Duff, another celebrity believed to be part of the friend group, had also spoken about the essay previously.
The essay, published in The Cut in January, described a group of new mothers who allegedly began to give Tisdale French the cold shoulder and exclude her from events, leading her to cut ties via a group text reading, 'This is too high school for me and I don't want to take part in it anymore.' Fans speculated that the group included Moore, Duff, and Meghan Trainor based on past social media posts, though Tisdale French's representatives denied the speculation.
Moore's Emphasis on Kindness
Moore told Cohen that the most important thing in her life is being a kind person and leaving a legacy of kindness. 'Anyone even insinuating that that might not be the case, and with the company that I choose to keep is very upsetting,' she said. She added that her biggest takeaway from the 'ridiculous debacle' was that the essay perpetuates a trope that women cannot be supportive of one another. 'I have not felt that one iota since becoming a parent,' Moore stated, emphasizing the meaningful relationships she has found with other mothers.
Despite admitting she is 'really scared by confrontation,' Moore said she is a 'huge proponent' of direct communication when feelings are hurt. 'It's not always like the most comfortable of situations, but I think that's where I sort of differed in feeling like I wouldn't have handled the situation this way,' she explained.
Background on the Feud
Moore's comments follow Duff's own response in February on the Call Her Daddy podcast, where she said she felt 'used' and 'sad' after the essay was published. Duff noted that motherhood had expanded her social circle rather than shrinking it and that it 'sucks to read something that's, like, not true.' Her husband, Matthew Koma, appeared to confirm the essay was about Duff and others by sharing a photoshopped version of The Cut's cover with a sarcastic headline.
Meghan Trainor, also alleged to be part of the group, offered a more measured response in April, saying she felt bad for Tisdale French and that it was 'a lot of miscommunication and confusion.' Trainor revealed that Tisdale French had texted her an apology for the drama, which Trainor accepted.
Moore, who shares three children with husband Taylor Goldsmith, has a close bond with Duff, who housed Moore's family after their home was destroyed in the January 2025 LA fires. The Daily Mail has reached out to Tisdale French's representatives for comment.
