Hilary Duff Responds to 'Toxic Mom Group' Controversy

The actress says the timing of the essay felt 'not great' and she felt 'used'.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Hilary Duff has addressed the recent controversy surrounding an essay published by Ashley Tisdale about a 'toxic mom group' that fans speculated included Duff, Mandy Moore, and Meghan Trainor. Duff said she felt 'really sad' and 'taken aback' by the essay, and implied that Tisdale may have timed the news to coincide with Duff's own recent return to the spotlight.

Why it matters

The 'toxic mom group' controversy highlights the challenges and pressures that celebrity mothers can face, as well as the potential for conflict and drama within their social circles. Duff's response provides insight into how she navigated the situation and the impact it had on her.

The details

In an interview on the Call Her Daddy podcast, Duff said she didn't know her husband, Matthew Koma, was going to respond to Tisdale's essay with an Instagram Story. Duff also suggested that the timing of Tisdale's essay felt 'not great' and that she felt 'used,' implying Tisdale may have timed the news to coincide with Duff's own recent return to the spotlight.

  • Hilary Duff recently stepped back into the spotlight with new music.

The players

Hilary Duff

An American actress, singer, and businesswoman who rose to fame as the title character of the Disney Channel series Lizzie McGuire.

Ashley Tisdale

An American actress, singer, and producer best known for her role as Sharpay Evans in the High School Musical film series.

Matthew Koma

Hilary Duff's husband, who responded to Ashley Tisdale's essay with an Instagram Story.

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What they’re saying

“I felt really sad. I was pretty taken aback and felt just, like, sad.”

— Hilary Duff, Actress (Call Her Daddy podcast)

“I think it came at, like, the craziest time. … Like, the timing felt not great. And I felt used.”

— Hilary Duff, Actress (Call Her Daddy podcast)

The takeaway

The 'toxic mom group' controversy highlights the challenges and pressures that celebrity mothers can face, as well as the potential for conflict and drama within their social circles. Duff's response provides insight into how she navigated the situation and the impact it had on her, underscoring the need for greater understanding and support for public figures, especially mothers, navigating the complexities of fame and personal relationships.