• By Julia Gibson July 16, 2020

Instagram: @mandymooremm
Location: Los Angeles
Astrological Sign: Aries
Book that changed your life: “Me and White Supremacy” by Layla F. Saad
Beauty product (or treatment) that changed your skin: Sunscreen! And bi-annual microneedling treatments with PRP
Podcast you can’t stop listening to: Keep It or The Daily
Instagram account you love to follow: @glennondoyle, @mrspackyetti, and @natgeo

It’s hard to overstate the impact that Mandy Moore had on 2000’s era pop culture. Whether you recognized her from her pop hits “Candy” or “I Wanna Be With You” or from her iconic roles in movies like “The Princess Diaries,” “A Walk To Remember,” and “Saved!”: if you were growing up in the aughts, you knew her by name. But that’s just a fraction of her story.

Although her acting career steadily progressed over the years, for some time Mandy’s musical output mostly stopped. Last year, she revealed to the New York Times that musician Ryan Adams, her now ex-husband, had held her music career hostage for years. She stood in solidarity with a group of fellow women who told their stories of similar mistreatment. Although she had spent far too long being pushed out of recording studios and denied opportunities to create music, her honesty and courage ultimately paid off: this year, she released “Silver Landings,” her long-awaited seventh studio album.

Today, Mandy is in touch with her voice, which is evident through her evolved style of folk-rock-pop music. She continues to shine as an actor with her role on the critically-acclaimed show “This Is Us,” and she uses her platform to advocate for women everywhere. So whether you know her from then or now, you know that she’s not going to stop making her mark anytime soon. We got the chance to chat with Mandy about her career, her self-care, and how she’s managed to reclaim her power.

JG

What was it like getting back in the studio after a decade? How is “Silver Landings” reflective of where you are in your life?

MM

It’s equal parts terrifying and exhilarating to reignite a part of your life that had been dormant for too long. Once I dropped the baggage and the fear and emotions I had tied up in the music, it all came out of me so easily. I missed having that through line of music in my life and it brings me so much innate joy, so I’m happy to have found that freedom again.

JG

What was it like making the jump from music to acting in the early aughts? How do you balance these two parts of your career?

MM

Honestly, I didn’t really put too much thought in it because I loved both and wanted to try my hand at both (in a professional capacity). It didn’t feel like a leap because I didn’t know the stakes quite yet — ahhh, youth. I think it’s like that with anyone that keeps a full plate: you prioritize one at a time and do your best to stay present and focused.

JG

Your acting throughout your career has garnered praise and acclaim — which character that you have played throughout the years do you see yourself the most in?

MM

I’m having the time of my life and it’s definitely a professional and personal highlight playing Rebecca on “This is Us.” I never, ever thought in my wildest imagination that I’d have the privilege of playing a character throughout the entire arc of her life (from her teens to her mid- eighties). It’s given me compassion and understanding about my own mom and family.

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“Sharing my story aided me in realizing what I wanted and what I deserved.”

JG

What is a moment in your career that you are particularly proud of?

MM

I am most proud of the fact that I’m still here 21 years later, doing what I love and doing it on my own terms!

JG

What advice would you give yourself if you could go back in time to the very beginning of your career?

MM

Breathe. Be prepared for the natural ebb and flow that life and work will take you on. Be patient and kind and have grace for yourself.

JG

On a more personal note, you have been remarkably open and vulnerable about personal struggles, including difficult relationships and trauma. How has talking openly about what you’ve experienced impacted you, and what do you hope others gain from your honesty?

MM

Shining a light on a conversation that women were clearly eager to have was so heartening and unexpected. I hope that revealing my truth made it easier for others struggling in similar situations to understand that you can come out the other end and turn that grief and trauma into what propels you forward in life.

JG

What has been the most helpful to you in the past few years in terms of reclaiming your power and your happiness?

MM

Lots of therapy! [laughs] Sharing my story and seeking counsel with friends aided me in realizing what I wanted and what I deserved. Also, wine (I kid). Throwing myself into being creative was a huge solace and catharsis as well. It was healing and productive!

JG

What are your go-to self-care practices?

MM

Meditation, hot baths, face masks, candles, a glass of wine, and curling up with a favorite book or podcast or record.

JG

What plans and goals do you have for yourself for the rest of 2020?

MM

I plan to write music, start season 5 of “This Is Us,” hike a peak, continue educating myself on systemic racism and how I can help make the world a more just and equitable place for all, and make meditation and yoga a bigger part of my daily and weekly practice.