Hollywood is full of "perfect" couples. You know the ones—the staged Instagram photos, the matching outfits, and the PR-scripted interviews that feel like they were written by a robot. But Ashley Tisdale and Christopher French always felt different. They were the low-key alternative. She was the Disney icon who voiced Candace and lived through the Sharpay madness; he was the tatted, quiet musician from the band Annie Automatic.
They’ve been married for over a decade now. That’s basically a century in Los Angeles years. But lately, things haven’t just been about cozy anniversaries and "Frenshe" wellness tips.
Starting 2026, Ashley and Chris found themselves right in the middle of a digital firestorm. It wasn't about their marriage, though. It was about who they weren't hanging out with anymore. Specifically, a group of famous moms that most of us thought were inseparable.
The Mom Group "Breakup" Everyone is Talking About
If you’ve been on social media lately, you’ve probably seen the headlines. Ashley Tisdale-French (she’s officially using her married name professionally now) published a brutally honest essay in The Cut. She didn't hold back. She described a "toxic" mom group that made her feel like she was back in high school.
Exclusion. Secret group chats. Seeing photos of hangouts she wasn't invited to while she was at home putting her kids to bed.
Basically, it was Mean Girls, but with toddlers and organic snacks.
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Internet sleuths immediately pointed fingers at her usual circle: Hilary Duff, Mandy Moore, and Meghan Trainor. For years, these women were the "village" everyone envied. When the essay dropped, the internet went into a tailspin.
Christopher French: The Husband Who Wades In
Most Hollywood husbands stay silent during friend drama. Not Chris. He’s always been Ashley’s biggest defender, but his recent moves on Instagram were... loud.
While the drama was peaking, Chris shared a series of cryptic posts. One was about the "underrated life skill" of knowing when to engage. Another was even more pointed, basically saying it’s your choice whether or not to give energy to things that drain you.
It was a subtle way of saying, "Yeah, my wife is right, and we're done with the BS."
But then it got messy. Hilary Duff’s husband, Matthew Koma, didn't take the "subtle" route. He posted a parody of Ashley's magazine cover, calling out "self-obsessed tone-deaf people." It was a full-on war of the husbands. Honestly, it’s rare to see this much public friction between celebrity couples who have been "brand-friendly" for so long.
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A Relationship Built on "The Right Time"
Despite the noise, the foundation between Ashley and Chris seems rock solid. They met back in 2012 through mutual friends. Ashley has been open about the fact that she knew he was "the one" almost immediately.
"I’ve been in long relationships in the past," she told Ryan Seacrest years ago. "But I wouldn't have gone into this if it wasn't what I wanted. I was like, 'OK, this is the guy.'"
They got engaged on top of the Empire State Building after only eight months. Fast forward to now, and they have two daughters: Jupiter Iris, born in 2021, and Emerson Clover, who arrived in late 2024.
Ashley often talks about how they waited six years before having kids. That’s a long time. She credits those years with giving them a "foundation" that survived the chaos of parenthood. Because, as she puts it, kids bring out the flaws you used to find "fine" or "cute" in your partner.
Moving Past the Drama in 2026
So, where do they stand now? Ashley has been spotted out in Los Angeles lately looking "serious" and on a "solo mission." The fallout from the essay has been huge. Some people think she was too sensitive; others think she’s a hero for calling out the "cool girl" cliques that exist even in motherhood.
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There's also been some weird political noise. Rumors swirled about Ashley’s personal beliefs, forcing her to clarify her stance on everything from reproductive rights to gun laws. It’s a lot for a couple that usually just wants to post about their dogs, Ziggy Stardust and Sushi Sue.
The Real Lesson from the Tisdale-French Saga
If there’s one thing to take away from this, it’s that "finding your village" is harder than it looks—even if you’re famous.
- Communication is the only thing that works: Ashley and Chris have survived ten years by staying on the same page, even when the rest of the page is on fire.
- Boundaries are healthy: Leaving a group that makes you feel "not cool enough" isn't a failure. It's a vibe check.
- Privacy is a choice: Even when they’re in the middle of a public feud, they keep the intimate details of their home life tight.
If you’re feeling excluded in your own social circles, maybe take a page out of the Tisdale-French book. You don’t need a "village" that makes you cry. You just need one or two people who actually, you know, like you.
What you can do next: Check your own "inner circle" dynamics. If you're staying in a social group out of obligation rather than genuine connection, it might be time to do a "digital-age breakup" of your own. Focus on the people who show up for you when the cameras (or the iPhones) are off.