Mandy Moore Gushes About Aligned ‘Values’ With Hilary Duff

Moore and the “Lizzie McGuire” alum have maintained a close relationship over the years. However, 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.

In Duff’s February 2026 Glamour cover story, her bond 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 iconic 2003 Vanity Fair “It’s Totally Raining Teens” cover, they weren’t close at that time. Their connection didn’t begin until a chance meeting in 2018.

Since then, the two have developed a bond rooted in shared career experiences, motherhood, and similar principles, which Moore feels blessed to have. 

“I feel exceedingly lucky that my kids happen to spend time with people that I feel like our values are aligned with,” Moore shared. “The friends that I’ve made since becoming a parent are some of the deeper, more surprising friendships I’ve found as an adult.”

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 same age as hers. Meanwhile, relationships with friends in different parenting stages have had to evolve.

The “This is Us” star described the shift as a kind of “mourning,” not the loss of friendships, but the transformation. She emphasized that it’s not about loving anyone less or blaming anyone; rather, it’s the reality of life as a parent.

Her remarks arrived amid Tisdale’s The Cut article, in which she detailed feeling isolated within a parenting group that reportedly included Moore and Duff.

The “Phineas and Ferb” voice actor recalled leaving the circle with a text where she claimed the energy felt “too high school for her.”

Following Tisdale’s revelations, reports claimed Moore and Duff felt hurt by how the situation was portrayed.

According to The Blast, sources close to the moms revealed they were “blindsided” and “hurt” at the “High School Musical” alum speaking publicly about matters they felt could 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.

Even before Tisdale decided to tell 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 strong instinct for determining who belongs in her life.

Reflecting on her role within parenting circles, Duff described herself as the “mom” of the group. While admitting that she doesn’t like disagreements, she believes in addressing issues head-on rather than letting them linger.

She also acknowledged that sometimes she has to do a “friend cleanse,” editing her circle when necessary, even though it can make her feel guilty.

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. However, according to The Blast, her representative firmly denied those claims, clarifying that she is a registered Democrat.

A source shared a different perspective, claiming the fallout was rooted in a “misalignment of values” that Tisdale chose to make public.

Since Tisdale’s article, sides have been taken, and Duff’s estranged sister Haylie appeared to be against her. The Blast reported that Haylie’s girl was seen hanging out with Tisdale’s child. 

On the other hand, Duff’s husband, Matthew Koma, sided with his wife, mocking the former Disney star,  and labelling her “self-obsessed.”