Crystal Minkoff Opens Up About Ashley Tisdale’s ‘Toxic’ Mom Group, Saying: ‘I Already Went Through This’

January 12, 2026 — Former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Crystal Minkoff is adding her voice to the ongoing conversation surrounding Ashley Tisdale’s experience with a so-called “toxic” mom group. Minkoff revealed that Tisdale’s comments struck a nerve—because she’s lived through something very similar herself.

Her message was clear: this kind of dynamic isn’t rare, and it can be deeply isolating.

Crystal Kung Minkoff attends the Gurus Beauty Awards 2025

Image Credit: Getty

‘I Already Went Through This’

Minkoff shared that when she heard Tisdale describe stepping away from a mom group that felt judgmental and emotionally draining, it immediately resonated. According to Minkoff, mom communities can sometimes shift from supportive spaces into environments filled with comparison, exclusion, and quiet competitiveness.

“It’s subtle,” she implied—but damaging.

Hilary Duff, Mandy Moore, Meghan Trainor, and mom group

Image Credit: Instagram @hilaryduff

Why Mom Groups Can Turn Toxic

Crystal explained that motherhood often comes with vulnerability, making women more susceptible to group pressure and unspoken expectations. When validation turns into surveillance—or support becomes judgment—the emotional toll can escalate quickly.

She noted that leaving such spaces can feel like a failure, even when it’s the healthiest choice.

Ashley Tisdale with her 'mom friend group' in July 2022.

Image Credit: Instagram @hilaryduff

Standing in Solidarity with Ashley Tisdale

Rather than criticizing or dissecting the situation, Minkoff expressed empathy for Tisdale’s decision to prioritize her mental health. She praised the actress for speaking openly, saying that honesty helps normalize walking away from relationships that no longer feel safe.

Boundaries, she emphasized, are not selfish.

Rob Minkoff and Crystal Kung Minkoff at Gold House's 3rd Annual Gold Gala held at The Music Center on May 11, 2024

Image Credit: Getty

A Familiar Pattern in Public and Private Life

As someone who navigated intense social dynamics both on and off reality television, Minkoff said she’s learned that not every group is meant to last forever. Growth, she suggested, often requires uncomfortable exits.

Sometimes, outgrowing a space is the point.

Fans Respond With Support

Fans of both women responded positively to Minkoff’s comments, sharing their own experiences with mom groups that felt more harmful than helpful. Many thanked her for validating feelings they’d struggled to articulate.

The conversation quickly expanded beyond celebrity circles.

Redefining What Support Looks Like

Minkoff’s takeaway was simple but powerful: real support doesn’t come with conditions. Whether in motherhood, friendship, or community, feeling safe should never be optional.

And if a space costs your peace, leaving isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom.

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Published by HOLR Magazine

Image Credit: Getty
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