Christopher French Stands By Wife Ashley Tisdale Amid Mom Group Drama
In a subtle but pointed response to the recent controversy surrounding his wife, Ashley Tisdale, composer Christopher French appears to be offering his silent support through social media. The 44-year-old musician recently shared a poignant message on his Instagram Story that simply stated: “It’s your choice whether or not to engage.” While French didn’t explicitly connect this post to his wife’s situation, the timing speaks volumes as Tisdale finds herself at the center of a social media firestorm following her candid essay about leaving a “toxic” mom group.
The drama began when Tisdale, 40, published a deeply personal piece in The Cut, describing her journey with a group of fellow mothers she bonded with after welcoming her first child with French in 2021. The High School Musical star initially found comfort in this circle of women who were also navigating the challenges of motherhood. However, as time passed, Tisdale began noticing subtle signs of exclusion. “I remember being left out of a couple of group hangs, and I knew about them because Instagram made sure it fed me every single photo and Instagram Story,” she wrote with palpable hurt. The actress described feeling increasingly disconnected from the group, wrestling with whether these perceived slights were real or imagined. The final straw came after another outing without her, prompting Tisdale to send a text that read, “This is too high school for me, and I don’t want to take part in it anymore” – a message that she admits “didn’t exactly go over well” with the other women.
What began as Tisdale sharing a relatable experience about outgrowing friendships quickly spiraled into a social media detective mission, with internet sleuths speculating that her mom group might have included celebrities like Hilary Duff, Mandy Moore, and Meghan Trainor. The rumor mill churned so intensely that Tisdale’s representative had to clarify to TMZ that the essay’s intention was never to point fingers at specific individuals but rather to highlight the universal experience of distancing oneself from relationships that no longer serve one’s wellbeing. In her essay, Tisdale herself took care to note, “To be clear, I have never considered the moms to be bad people. (Maybe one.) But I do think our group dynamic stopped being healthy and positive — for me, anyway.” This nuanced reflection demonstrated her attempt to share her experience without vilifying the entire group.
The situation took an unexpected turn when Matthew Koma, Hilary Duff’s husband, appeared to mock Tisdale’s essay with his own spoof version on Instagram. His post, titled “A mom group tell-all through a father’s eyes,” included the barbed comment: “When you’re the most self-obsessed tone-deaf person on earth, other moms tend to shift focus to their actual toddlers.” Accompanying this was a photo of Koma and Duff posed together on a couch, with the caption “Read my new interview with @thecut” – a direct reference to Tisdale’s publication. This pointed response has since disappeared from his Instagram Story, and notably, Duff herself has maintained silence on the matter, neither confirming nor denying any connection to Tisdale’s account.
Throughout this public exchange, French has remained largely in the background, offering subtle support to his wife while avoiding direct engagement with the controversy. The couple, who share daughters Jupiter, 4, and Emerson, 15 months, have built a life together that Tisdale has frequently described as grounded and supportive. French’s decision to share the “choice to engage” quote suggests he’s standing firmly beside his wife while advocating for a measured response to the situation. His follow-up Stories about the 2021 U.S. Capitol insurrection might indicate his preference for focusing on matters of greater significance rather than social media drama.
This controversy highlights the complex nature of modern friendships, especially those formed during significant life transitions like new motherhood. Tisdale’s essay resonated with many women who have experienced similar feelings of exclusion or outgrown friendships that once seemed essential. While celebrity involvement has amplified this particular story, at its heart lies a deeply human experience – the painful but sometimes necessary process of recognizing when relationships no longer serve our wellbeing and finding the courage to step away. As the public commentary continues, French’s subtle show of support reminds us that behind the headlines are real people navigating real emotions, with partners who stand by them through both public and private challenges.
