Hilary Duff has spoken out following Ashley Tisdale’s recent essay, “Breaking Up With My Toxic Mom Group,” which garnered considerable attention earlier this year. During an episode of the Call Her Daddy podcast, Duff expressed her feelings about the controversial essay, describing it as “sad” and “untrue.”
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The 38-year-old actress and singer appeared on the podcast hosted by Alex Cooper, where she was asked directly about Tisdale’s opinion piece published in January by The Cut. While Tisdale did not specify the members of the mother group she referred to, there has been significant speculation online due to her previous associations with fellow celebrities such as Duff, Mandy Moore, and Meghan Trainor.
Reflecting on her initial reaction to the essay, Duff admitted, “I felt really sad. I honestly felt really sad. I was, like, pretty, pretty taken aback and felt just, like, sad.” She elaborated that, throughout her journey into motherhood, she had encountered various groups of mum friends, and Tisdale’s comments hit particularly hard. “It sucks to read something that’s, like, not true. And it sucks on behalf of, like, six women in all of their lives,” Duff added.
In addition to her emotional response, Duff noted the timing of Tisdale’s essay felt particularly inappropriate. She stated, “It came at the craziest time where I was like, the timing felt not great and I felt used.” The timing of the piece coincided with Duff’s own significant milestones, including the release of her first album in a decade and her upcoming world tour.
Duff’s husband, musician Matthew Koma, also made headlines with his pointed reaction to Tisdale’s essay. Koma took to social media, parodying Tisdale’s original pose from the article and writing a 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.”
Dismissing any prior knowledge of her husband’s response, Duff remarked, “Honestly, everything he does makes me laugh. So I was like, ‘Oh my God. Oh my God.’ But I also don’t censor him, and I don’t tell him what he can and can’t post. He is so, like, fierce for me, and, like, I love him for that.”
While dealing with the ongoing fallout from Tisdale’s essay, Duff indicated that her relationships with other celebrity peers remain intact. Mentioning Moore and Trainor, she shared insights about her connections with them, revealing a recent text from Trainor who checked in on her amidst the media frenzy. “Meghan Trainor texted me the other day, and she’s like, ‘Babe, this rollout has been flawless. Are you okay?’”
In a more contemplative moment, Duff previously addressed the surrounding drama, telling The Los Angeles Times that she prefers to focus on the positives. “On the days when crazy s— happens, I go home and quiet the noise,” she said, emphasising her desire to maintain a serene environment in her personal life.
As the conversation surrounding Tisdale’s essay continues to unfold, Duff remains focused on her music and family. While this controversy has initiated a public discussion about motherhood and the complexities of female friendships, it has also provided an opportunity for Duff to clarify her stance and support her friends as they navigate their own experiences.
From the world of child stardom to her current role as a mother of four, Hilary Duff continues to evolve while addressing the challenges she faces in the public eye. As her career progresses, she remains a figure of resilience, balancing personal and professional responsibilities amid the scrutiny of fame.