Former Disney Channel star Ashley Tisdale is publicly embracing a significant personal change, announcing that she now prefers to be known by her married name, Ashley French. The actor made the heartfelt revelation in a TikTok video posted on November 17, marking a new chapter in her public life.
A Name for Home, A Name for the Public
Ashley French explained that while she has used this name privately for years, she felt it was time to make the change public. "I've been Ashley French for so long at home, but I really never changed publicly because everybody knows me as Ashley Tisdale," she shared. The 40-year-old expressed a deep desire for people to recognize her for who she truly is, beyond the characters she has portrayed or her celebrity status. "I just felt like it was time for people to know me for me, and not a character or like a celebrity," French stated, highlighting her journey toward personal authenticity.
Navigating the Social Media Landscape
In her candid video, French also reflected on her long history of sharing her life online and the challenges of the current social media climate. She voiced a sentiment felt by many, pointing out the difficulty in distinguishing reality in a digital space saturated with curated content and automated accounts. "We should be honest, like, at this point. You don't know what's real, what's a bot, and everyone has something to say and it might not be positive," she remarked.
This introspection has led to a shift in her online behavior. The actor emphasized that her decision to share less is not about ignoring negativity, but rather a conscious choice to protect her inner peace. "Not that I want to block out the negativity, but I feel like in order to protect my peace I didn't want to keep sharing in that way," French explained, signaling a more guarded approach to her public digital presence.
Business Ventures and Past Candidness
Alongside her personal announcement, French provided updates on her business endeavors, including her beauty company, Being Frenshe, and her website, By Ashley French. The actor has been married to music producer and composer Christopher French since 2014, from whom she derives her new public surname.
This is not the first time Ashley French has been open with her followers. In October, she spoke out on the sensitive topic of body trends and the use of medications like Ozempic in Los Angeles. She recalled a time when usage was shrouded in secrecy, but was quick to clarify her position, writing, "To be clear: I have absolutely ZERO judgment toward anyone using Ozempic or other similar medications. Zero." This history of frank discussion makes her latest revelation about her name and social media boundaries a consistent part of her evolving public narrative.
