Singer Willa Ford Defends Tisdale’s Former Mom Group Amid “Toxic” Claims
In a recent interview with Page Six Radio, singer-songwriter Willa Ford has come to the defense of Ashley Tisdale French’s former mom friends after the Disney Channel alum published a viral essay about her experience with a “toxic” mom group. Ford, who is close friends with two women believed to be part of the group – celebrity makeup artist Kelsey Deenihan and Muu founder Janice Gott – spoke passionately about their character, describing them as “ride or dies” who supported her through her own divorce. “My girlfriends didn’t deserve this. They’re not actresses. Their faces didn’t deserve to be plastered,” Ford stated, expressing concern about the public scrutiny they’ve faced since French’s essay went viral. The 44-year-old singer also noted that while she has met French and found her “lovely,” she was taken aback by the public nature of the situation, suggesting that “it would’ve been nice if the communication maybe could have been done differently.”
The controversy began when Ashley Tisdale French published an essay in The Cut on January 1st titled “Breaking Up With My Toxic Mom Group,” where she detailed feelings of exclusion and ultimately deciding to leave what she described as an unhealthy friendship dynamic. Although French didn’t name anyone specific, she described discovering outings on social media that she wasn’t invited to, writing, “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.” The High School Musical star, who shares daughters Jupiter (3) and Emerson (15 months) with husband Christopher French, revealed she eventually texted the group saying, “This is too high school for me, and I don’t want to take part in it anymore.” As the essay circulated, fans quickly speculated that French was referring to her mom friends including Mandy Moore, Hilary Duff, and Meghan Trainor, though a representative for French has denied these rumors.
An insider who spoke exclusively to Us Weekly shed light on what they described as “the root of the issues,” explaining that “some of the women just became closer friends with each other, and Ashley started to feel left out.” The source clarified that there wasn’t malicious intent behind the situation, saying, “There were times when hangouts or get-togethers were organized at the last minute, often casual outings or quick dinners, and Ashley wasn’t included. There wasn’t any bad intent. Friendships naturally changed and some people bonded more than others.” This perspective suggests a more nuanced situation than what might have been perceived from French’s essay alone – one where relationship dynamics shifted naturally rather than through deliberate exclusion, though the emotional impact on French was nevertheless significant.
The mom group drama has resonated strongly with many parents who have experienced similar feelings of exclusion in their own social circles. The situation highlights how motherhood, while bringing women together through shared experiences, doesn’t automatically guarantee lasting friendships. The emotional vulnerability that comes with navigating new parenthood often intensifies feelings of rejection when social dynamics shift. French’s decision to write publicly about her experience has sparked conversations about the pressures of “mom culture” and the sometimes complicated dynamics that can develop in parent friendship groups, especially among those in the public eye who face additional scrutiny on social media.
Willa Ford’s defense of her friends underscores another aspect of this situation – the unintended consequences when personal experiences become public discourse. While French didn’t name individuals in her essay, social media speculation quickly pulled uninvolved parties into the narrative. Ford emphasized that while “feeling left out is a real feeling” that “is crap,” she knows her friends well enough to believe that “bullying is not in their DNA.” Her comments reflect the complexity of interpersonal conflicts, where multiple perspectives can coexist and where resolution often requires private reconciliation rather than public statements. Ford expressed optimism that despite the public attention, the issue would “resolve itself,” suggesting that time and perspective might eventually heal whatever rifts developed in the group.
Of the celebrities speculated to be part of the mom group, Meghan Trainor has been the only one to directly acknowledge the situation, though she did so indirectly through a TikTok video captioned “Me finding out about the apparent mom group drama.” The brief clip showed Trainor at a computer with her 2025 single “Still Don’t Care” playing in the background – a lighthearted response that neither confirmed nor denied her involvement but suggested some distance from the controversy. This measured response highlights how public figures often must carefully navigate personal friendships under the microscope of public attention. As the story continues to unfold, it serves as a reminder that behind celebrity headlines are real human relationships with all their complexities, misunderstandings, and potential for both hurt feelings and healing connections.
