Los Angeles, CA – Ashley Tisdale, the former High School Musical star known for her roles in Disney classics, has firmly denied rumors suggesting that her recent essay about a 'toxic mom group' targeted her friendships with fellow celebrities Mandy Moore, Hilary Duff, and Meghan Trainor. A representative for the 40-year-old actress told TMZ on January 5 that it was 'unfortunate' how Ashley's words had been 'twisted' to imply such specifics, emphasizing that the piece was meant to highlight broader issues in some parenting circles rather than name individuals.
The essay in question, published by The Cut on January 1, details Tisdale's personal experiences of feeling excluded from a group of fellow mothers, an ordeal that left her feeling 'like I was right back in high school.' Tisdale, who shares two young children—daughter Jupiter, 4, and son Emerson, 16 months—with husband Christopher French, described initially believing she had 'found my village' upon meeting the group. 'But over time,' she wrote, 'I began to wonder whether that was really true.'
In the essay, Tisdale recounted being 'impressed' by the accomplishments of the women in the group but noted how the dynamic soured when she noticed exclusions from hangouts. 'At first, I tried not to take things personally,' she explained. 'It’s not like people aren’t allowed to get together without me—and maybe there were perfectly good reasons that I hadn’t been invited. We were all busy, life was hectic. I told myself it was all in my head and it wasn’t a big deal.'
The isolation eventually weighed heavily on her. Tisdale recalled one evening alone after putting her daughter to bed, thinking, 'Maybe I’m not cool enough.' This triggered memories of high school insecurities, prompting her to text the group: 'This is too high school for me, and I don’t want to take part in it anymore.' Her departure, however, did not elicit supportive responses; instead, she received what she described as 'insincere apologies' from some and claims from others that they 'didn’t know why she was being left out.'
Tisdale, who now uses her married name Ashley French and runs the beauty brand Frenshe, concluded the essay with advice for other mothers: 'Motherhood has enough challenges without having to wonder if the people around you are on your side. You deserve to go through motherhood with people who actually, you know, like you. And if you have to wonder if they do, here’s the hard-earned lesson I hope you’ll take to heart: It’s not the right group for you. Even if it looks like they’re having the best time on Instagram.'
Although Tisdale did not name any specific individuals in her essay, speculation arose due to her past social media posts showing hangouts with Moore, Duff, and Trainor, all of whom are also mothers navigating Hollywood careers. E! News reached out to Tisdale's representative for further comment but has not received a response as of publication. Representatives for Moore, Duff, and Trainor have not publicly addressed the rumors.
Tisdale's candid reflection comes amid a wave of celebrities sharing personal confessions, often revealing vulnerabilities in unexpected ways. These disclosures, ranging from humorous anecdotes to more serious admissions, highlight a trend of stars using their platforms to connect with audiences on intimate levels. For instance, retired Philadelphia Eagles player Jason Kelce sparked conversation in June 2024 when he tweeted in response to a fan's observation about his hygiene: 'What kind of weirdo washes their feet….'
Kelce later elaborated on the New Heights podcast he co-hosts with his brother Travis, deadpanning, 'What kind of psychopath washes your feet?' He clarified his stance, adding, 'If there's visible dirt on them, I'll scrub the dirt off.' The comments, made after his retirement from the NFL, drew a mix of amusement and surprise from fans, underscoring Kelce's unfiltered approach to public life.
In a lighter vein, actor Robert Pattinson addressed a long-standing tall tale from his past. Over a decade ago, during a 2011 Today show interview promoting Water for Elephants, Pattinson claimed he witnessed a clown's death at his first circus visit as a child: 'One of the clowns died. His little car exploded. The joke car exploded on him, seriously. Everybody ran out. It was terrifying.'
Reflecting in a December 2024 interview with The New York Times Style Magazine, Pattinson admitted the story was fabricated. 'There was absolutely no hesitation at all [in my voice],' he said, questioning his own delivery at the time: 'I'm like, 'What on earth? Are you possessed?'' The revelation adds to Pattinson's reputation for playful misinformation, contrasting his serious roles in films like the Batman franchise.
Kim Kardashian has also been forthcoming about personal moments, including one tied to family lore. During an October 2022 episode of The Kardashians, she shared with her grandmother Mary Jo 'MJ' Campbell, mother Kris Jenner, and sister Khloe how MJ's advice influenced an intimate evening with then-boyfriend Pete Davidson at the Beverly Hills Hotel. 'Pete and I were staying at the Beverly Hills Hotel last weekend, and we were sitting in front of the fireplace, just talking for hours,' Kardashian recounted. 'And I was like, 'My grandma told me that you really live life when you have sex in front of the fireplace. And so, we had sex in front of the fireplace in honor of you.'
MJ nodded approvingly, prompting Kardashian to quip, 'How creepy to think about your grandma before you have sex?' to which MJ replied, 'I know, but I was younger once.' The exchange, broadcast to millions, exemplified the family's boundary-pushing dynamic on the Hulu series.
Actress Mila Kunis revealed details of her family life with husband Ashton Kutcher in a September 2022 interview with E! News. The couple, parents to 8-year-old daughter Wyatt and 6-year-old son Dimitri, maintain an 'open-door policy' at home, including in the bathroom. 'That includes the bathroom,' Kunis said. 'It's just one of those where, for better or for worse, as a family and the kids have all kind of embodied bodily function as a very standard norm.'
Kunis explained the policy evolved from constant interruptions: 'I was like, ‘Oh, forget it. Just keep the door open.'' She admitted it was a shift from her pre-parenthood self, adding, 'I'd never thought that I would be the person that was able to go to the bathroom with the door open.' The confession resonated with parents discussing modern family norms.
On The View in October 2022, co-host Joy Behar joined a discussion about alleged 'sexual ghosts' with a startling admission. When Sara Haines asked if one could get pregnant from such an encounter, Behar replied, 'I've had sex with a few ghosts and never got pregnant.' Whoopi Goldberg responded, 'I'm just gonna let that ride. I don't know how many of you just heard what Joy just said, but I'm going to let it ride.' The moment went viral, blending humor with the show's signature candor.
Today show co-host Jenna Bush Hager shared a wardrobe secret during a November 2022 episode of Today with Hoda and Jenna. While changing with Hoda Kotb, Kotb noticed Hager's habit of going without underwear. 'We both had to change before the show and we were like, 'Oh we have to go back into the changing room,'' Kotb said. 'But then I noticed, Jenna never wears underwear.'
Hager defended the choice practically: 'I think it makes a more pretty silhouette. I also think you don't have to pack as much. There are a lot of pros to it!' The revelation added to Hager's relatable persona on morning television.
Singer Britney Spears expressed bewilderment over pop culture figures in a since-deleted March Instagram post, reposting a video of Pete Davidson and Scott Disick. 'Sorry had to repost this,' she wrote. 'No idea who these people in the video are but it made me laugh so hard !!!!' The post echoed Keke Palmer's viral phrase about not recognizing celebrities, highlighting Spears' selective engagement with fame post-conservatorship.
Country singer Jana Kramer recounted a quirky dating mishap with Chris Evans on her Whine Down podcast in November 2022. Over a decade ago, when both were in their mid-20s, their final interaction involved what she called the 'asparagus pee' incident after a night at his house. 'The last interaction that I remember is him going into the bathroom after I just went with asparagus pee,' Kramer said, referencing the vegetable's distinctive effect. 'We didn't hook up that night. He stayed up late with his friends and then [in] the morning I did the asparagus walk of shame out of his house. I never heard from him again.'
More seriously, former Grey's Anatomy writer Elisabeth Finch confessed in December 2022 to fabricating a cancer diagnosis. In a 2014 ELLE article, she claimed to battle a rare bone cancer, which even inspired a show storyline. Addressing The Ankler newsletter on December 7, Finch said, 'I told a lie when I was 34 years old and it was the biggest mistake of my life. It just got bigger and bigger and bigger and got buried deeper and deeper inside me. I've never had any form of cancer.'
Finch, who was placed on administrative leave from the ABC series before resigning, summed up: 'What I did was wrong. Not okay. F--ked up. All the words.' Her admission prompted discussions on the ethics of personal storytelling in Hollywood.
Kim Kardashian revisited her extreme beauty views in interviews with The New York Times in June 2022 and Allure in July 2022. 'If you told me that I literally had to eat poop every single day and I would look younger, I might,' she said initially. Clarifying later, 'I was kind of joking... But now that I think about it, I would probably eat s--t if someone told me, ‘If you eat this bowl of poop every single day, you'll look younger.'' She tempered it with, 'Maybe just a bite. I don't think I can do a whole bowl.'
Country rapper Jelly Roll shared an onstage embarrassment during an April 2025 appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show. 'I pooped myself one time,' he admitted. 'I did, I’m sorry. I was confident it was all air. I'm so sorry. I watched this crowd go from loving me to just being completely out.' The story, from real name Jason Bradley DeFord, humanized the rising star's journey.
These confessions, from Tisdale's relational struggles to more outlandish tales, illustrate how celebrities are increasingly opening up about the messiness of life. As public scrutiny intensifies, such transparency may foster greater empathy, though it also risks fueling tabloid speculation. For Tisdale and others, the hope seems to be in sparking conversations that normalize imperfection in an often-glamorous industry.