Moore and the “Lizzie McGuire” alum have maintained a detailed relationship over time. Nonetheless, it recently faced scrutiny after Ashley Tisdale published an explosive essay about toxic mom groups, of which the pair were allegedly members.
Now, Moore is opening up about how her friendship with Duff has grown stronger over time, grounded in shared values and motherhood.
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Mandy Moore Feels ‘Lucky’ To Have Hilary Duff In Her Life
In Duff’s February 2026 Glamour cover story, her bond together with her fellow teen star Moore was not out of bounds for discussion.
Moore revealed that although she and Duff appeared side-by-side on the long-lasting 2003 Vanity Fair “It’s Totally Raining Teens” cover, they weren’t close at the moment. Their connection didn’t begin until a likelihood meeting in 2018.
Since then, the 2 have developed a bond rooted in shared profession experiences, motherhood, and similar principles, which Moore feels blessed to have.
“I feel exceedingly lucky that my kids occur to spend time with folks that I feel like our values are aligned with,” Moore shared. “The chums that I’ve made since becoming a parent are a few of the deeper, more surprising friendships I’ve found as an adult.”
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Mandy Moore Reflects on Changing Friendship Dynamics

Before Moore gushed about her bond with Duff, she was candid about how motherhood has reshaped her social circle.
As The Blast previously reported, the singer-actress explained that she has naturally grown closer to friends whose children are the identical age as hers. Meanwhile, relationships with friends in numerous parenting stages have needed to evolve.
The “That is Us” star described the shift as a type of “mourning,” not the lack of friendships, however the transformation. She emphasized that it isn’t about loving anyone less or blaming anyone; moderately, it’s the truth of life as a parent.
Her remarks arrived amid Tisdale’s The Cut article, through which she detailed feeling isolated inside a parenting group that reportedly included Moore and Duff.
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The “Phineas and Ferb” voice actor recalled leaving the circle with a text where she claimed the energy felt “too highschool for her.”
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How Mandy Moore Allegedly Reacted to Ashley Tisdale’s Claims

Following Tisdale’s revelations, reports claimed Moore and Duff felt hurt by how the situation was portrayed.
In response to The Blast, sources near the mothers revealed they were “blindsided” and “hurt” on the “High School Musical” alum speaking publicly about matters they felt could possibly be quietly resolved.
The insider added that the members believed the group was supportive and had no bad intentions behind what happened, and that they were “unfairly portrayed” in Tisdale’s account.
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Hilary Duff Admits To Letting Go Of Some Friendships

Even before Tisdale decided to inform her experience, Duff had been transparent about her philosophy on friendships, admitting she occasionally reevaluates her inner circle.
Per The Blast, during a November appearance on the “Therapuss” podcast, the “How I Met Your Father” star shared that she has a robust instinct for determining who belongs in her life.
Reflecting on her role inside parenting circles, Duff described herself because the “mom” of the group. While admitting that she doesn’t like disagreements, she believes in addressing issues head-on moderately than letting them linger.
She also acknowledged that sometimes she has to do a “friend cleanse,” editing her circle when vital, although it may make her feel guilty.
Sources Claim Hilary Duff and Ashley Tisdale’s Rift Stemmed From ‘Misaligned Values’

While Duff and Moore have spoken openly about outgrowing certain relationships, speculation about what caused their fallout with Tisdale soon intensified.
Some theories suggested political differences, with rumors claiming Tisdale was “MAGA” oriented. Nonetheless, based on The Blast, her representative firmly denied those claims, clarifying that she is a registered Democrat.
A source shared a unique perspective, claiming the fallout was rooted in a “misalignment of values” that Tisdale selected to make public.
Since Tisdale’s article, sides have been taken, and Duff’s estranged sister Haylie gave the impression to be against her. The Blast reported that Haylie’s girl was seen hanging out with Tisdale’s child.
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Alternatively, Duff’s husband, Matthew Koma, sided along with his wife, mocking the previous Disney star, and labelling her “self-obsessed.”

