Ashley Tisdale is officially stepping back into the spotlight — and the timing couldn’t be more interesting.
The High School Musical alum, 40, has landed the lead role in a new CBS comedy titled You’re Only Young Twice, marking her first acting project in six years. According to reports, Tisdale will also serve as an executive producer on the series, signaling not just a return to acting, but a bigger creative role behind the scenes as well.
The comedy centers on Emily, a woman who married her high school sweetheart after becoming pregnant as a teen. Now 35 and newly divorced, Emily finds herself navigating life as an empty nester after her child heads off to college. Alongside her ex, Alex, she’s forced to figure out what adulthood looks like the second time around — this time without diapers, carpools or PTA drama.
Tisdale shared the casting news on Instagram with her signature humor, joking that she had once told her agent she was “retired” from acting — only to be reminded that wasn’t quite the case.
Her return to television comes on the heels of a very public chapter in her personal life. In January, Tisdale made headlines after publishing an essay detailing her decision to leave what she described as a “toxic” mom group. Writing candidly about feeling excluded and emotionally frozen out, she said social media only amplified the hurt, as she saw photos and posts from gatherings she hadn’t been invited to.
Though she didn’t name names, speculation quickly swirled that the group included several well-known celebrity moms. Her representative denied that claim at the time. Still, the essay sparked widespread discussion online about adult friendships, social cliques and the pressures of motherhood — even among celebrities.
Tisdale explained that she ultimately sent a text to the group saying the dynamic felt “too high school” and that she didn’t want to participate anymore.
The fallout didn’t end there. Hilary Duff later addressed the situation on a podcast, saying she felt “really sad” reading Tisdale’s comments and suggested the claims were not accurate. Kaley Cuoco also weighed in during a late-night appearance, implying that sometimes it’s better to simply leave a group quietly.
The public back-and-forth added an unexpected layer of drama to what might otherwise have been a private friendship split. For many fans, it offered a surprisingly relatable glimpse into how even A-listers aren’t immune to the complexities of social dynamics.
Now, Tisdale seems focused on her next chapter — both professionally and personally. With a comedy about divorce, reinvention and second chances, her new role feels almost tailor-made for this moment in her life.
Whether audiences tune in for the laughs, the relatability or simple nostalgia, one thing is clear: Ashley Tisdale is officially un-retired — and ready for a fresh start.
