Mandy Moore Addresses Viral Mom-Group Controversy
The actress opened up to Andy Cohen about how upsetting the speculation was after the article came out.
Mandy Moore is speaking out about the viral “toxic mom group” controversy that sparked headlines earlier this year, and she says the situation was deeply personal.
During a candid conversation with SiriusXM host Andy Cohen on Radio Andy’s “Andy Cohen Live,” “The Breadwinner” star addressed the fallout surrounding Ashley Tisdale’s January essay for The Cut, “Breaking Up With My Toxic Mom Group,” which led fans to speculate about Mandy, Hilary Duff, and Meghan Trainor after online sleuths connected the actresses to Ashley’s unnamed friend group.
“When you first read the article, you all in the mom group had to be like, ‘OMG,'” Andy said. “I mean, this is wild.”
Mandy admitted the experience felt different from the usual celebrity scrutiny she and Hilary have dealt with for decades.
“It’s wild to have anybody talk about your life,” she said. “We both have grown up in this business and had people dissect who we are and the choices we make and all of that, but this was something altogether different and decidedly way more upsetting.”
The actress explained that what hurt most was the implication that she or her friends were unkind.
“It cuts to the core … I think the most important thing in my life is being a kind person and that legacy of kindness,” Mandy shared. “Anyone even insinuating that that might not be the case — and with the company that I choose to keep — is very upsetting.”
Mandy also said she would have approached the situation differently.
“I’m someone who is really scared by confrontation,” she admitted, “but also when it’s important, I am a huge proponent of having a conversation if my feelings are hurt or there’s something I need to get off my chest … Face to face.”
The singer and actress also pushed back against what she sees as a harmful stereotype amplified by the public reaction.
“I feel like it perpetuates the silly trope that women can’t be supportive of one another and that we’re inherently petty and out to one-up each other,” Moore said. “I have not felt that one iota since becoming a parent.”
Instead, Moore said motherhood has introduced her to meaningful and supportive friendships.
“I’ve actually been so surprised by the meaningful relationships I’ve found with other moms and other parents just in general,” she explained. “You need community. You need to find that support wherever you can get it.”
