Christy Carlson Romano is adding her voice to the growing conversation surrounding Ashley Tisdale’s viral essay about leaving a so-called “toxic” celebrity mom group—and her message is blunt. Without naming Tisdale directly, the former Disney Channel star suggested it may be time to move on and stop fueling what she implied has become unnecessary drama.
Romano’s comments come as Tisdale’s essay continues to ripple across social media. In the piece, published in The Cut, Tisdale detailed her decision to step away from a close-knit group of famous moms that formed during the pandemic. She wrote that what initially felt like a supportive village eventually turned isolating, describing moments where she learned about gatherings through Instagram posts and felt excluded from milestone celebrations.
Tisdale shared that one particularly painful moment came when she discovered a group hangout had been planned during her child’s birthday party without her knowledge. The experience, she said, brought back insecurities she hadn’t felt since her teenage years. After attempting to address the issue privately, she ultimately sent a message explaining that the dynamic felt “too high school” and that she was choosing to step away.
Although Tisdale never named anyone, online speculation quickly centered on a well-known circle of celebrity moms that reportedly included Hilary Duff, Meghan Trainor, and Mandy Moore. The essay struck a nerve with readers, many of whom said they related to the feeling of being quietly pushed out of adult friendships.
Romano weighed in a day after the essay went viral, posting a video in which she positioned herself as an outsider to Hollywood. She noted that she no longer considers herself part of the celebrity world and now lives in Austin, Texas, far removed from industry circles. While she acknowledged the importance of mom groups—especially during the postpartum period—she emphasized that friendships naturally change as life evolves.
Her advice was straightforward. If a group dynamic shifts, she said, it may be best to simply find new friends. Romano added that friendships require equal effort and that when one side stops showing up, it can be a sign to move on. She capped off her remarks by joking that sometimes things “get a little crazy, and then you write an article about it,” a line many viewers interpreted as a pointed jab at Tisdale.
Romano isn’t the only one who has appeared to comment indirectly. Hilary Duff’s husband, Matthew Koma, recently shared a satirical social media post mocking the idea of adult drama within mom groups, a move widely seen as another swipe connected to the situation. Adding to the pile-on, an old podcast clip featuring Anneliese van der Pol discussing an awkward past interaction with Tisdale resurfaced online, further shaping public perception.
With more voices chiming in and opinions sharply divided, what began as a personal reflection has turned into a broader debate about adult friendships, celebrity culture, and when it’s time to quietly walk away instead of going public.
