Years before Ashley Tisdale’s recent “toxic” mom group controversy, her longtime friendship with Vanessa Hudgens reportedly dissolved over romantic ties. A source told the Sun that the “High School Musical” co-stars gradually grew apart as they matured into different lifestyles, but their bond fully fractured after Austin Butler’s breakup with Hudgens. Tisdale, who remained close friends with Butler, allegedly prioritized supporting him over Hudgens during the split. The source claimed Hudgens felt unsupported during this vulnerable period, believing Tisdale focused more on her own family and problems. This led to an irreversible rift, with Hudgens excluding Tisdale from her 2023 wedding to baseball player Cole Tucker—a stark contrast to Hudgens serving as Tisdale’s bridesmaid in 2014. The source criticized Tisdale, suggesting she presents as a supportive friend but fails to follow through in crucial moments.
Tisdale confirmed the distance between them during a 2024 “Watch What Happens Live” appearance, stating she hadn’t seen Hudgens “in a long time.” Meanwhile, Tisdale faces backlash for a recent essay in The Cut where she described leaving a “toxic” mom group that excluded her from gatherings. Though unnamed, the group is speculated to include Mandy Moore, Hilary Duff, and Meghan Trainor. Duff’s husband, Matthew Koma, publicly criticized Tisdale as “self-obsessed” and “tone-deaf,” with insiders calling the rift “long overdue” and labeling Tisdale “insufferable.” Representatives for both actresses declined to comment on the reports.