By Mariel Turner
8:27am PDT, Apr 8, 2019
Mandy Moore turns 35 on April 10, 2019. In celebration of her birthday, Wonderwall.com is running down all the reasons we absolutely adore the "This Is Us" star. Keep reading to find out why we can't get enough of Mandy!
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No. 1: She's fearless
Mandy Moore refuses to let personal struggles stop her from moving forward with her life. In early 2019, the actress-singer publicly spoke out about her unhealthy relationship with ex-husband Ryan Adams in hopes of helping others who might be in similar situations. She told The New York Times that the music star was psychologically abusive, often manipulating her and putting her down while they were together. "What you experience with him — the treatment, the destructive, manic sort of back-and-forth behavior — feels so exclusive," Mandy shared in February 2019. "You feel like there's no way other people have been treated like this."
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No. 2: She's supportive and protective of her loved ones
Mandy Moore comes from an untraditional family and she makes it a point to support, love and protect them no matter what. Mandy's two brothers, Kyle and Scott, are gay. Her mother, Stacy, divorced Mandy's dad after coming out as a lesbian. The "This Is Us" star has spoken out about her unique and loving family, calling them "extraordinarily close." "Nobody is hiding who they are. There are no secrets in our lives. I love and support my mom and my brothers with my whole heart. And nothing makes me happier than seeing anybody live their authentic self, and to choose love," she told People magazine. "If anyone can find love, I support it. I salute you, and I celebrate that." When asked about LGBTQ discrimination, Mandy added, "I feel a certain amount of protectiveness. I definitely won't stand for that."
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No. 3: She's an awesome pet mom
Mandy Moore is not only an animal lover — she's also an amazing pet mom. In fact, Mandy was once the owner of eight pets (six cats and two dogs!). She currently has at least four adorable animals in her home, two cats and two dogs, and she makes sure to give them all the love and cuddles they need. When her cat Madeline passed away in November 2018, Mandy posted a sweet tribute to her kitty on Instagram. "We're still in shock and processing the pain and grief of this loss but holding her in my arms, making sure she knew she was safe and loved as she took her last breaths will stay with me for the rest of my life… Thank you for the lessons in patience, responsibility and unconditional love, Madeline."
No. 4: She's not afraid to try new things
When Mandy Moore first hit the Hollywood scene back in the '90s, she was an up-and-coming pop singer. After releasing two albums, she decided to shift gears and try out acting. She soon landed a small role in "Dr. Dolittle 2" followed by a bigger role in "The Princess Diaries." Her breakout role came in 2002 when she starred as Jamie Sullivan in "A Walk to Remember."
No. 5: She practices self-love
Sometimes loving ourselves can be the hardest love of all, but Mandy Moore has discovered how to practice it daily. The "Tangled" star opened up about her journey in an interview with Shape magazine in December 2017. "Although I've become a lot more comfortable with myself — I'm 5-foot-10 and a size 6 — everyone has their self-doubts and insecurities," she said. "But as I get older, I'm learning what it takes to love myself fully though exercise, healthy eating and monitoring my inner voice in an effort to keep it positive. I feel healthier, more centered, and therefore more confidence. I've come to love my height. [My partner] Taylor [Goldsmith] is a bit shorter than I am, but I'll put on those four-inch heels and be 6-foot-2."
No. 6: She's amazing at her job
Mandy Moore is not your run-of-the-mill actress. The "This Is Us" star is exceptionally talented at her craft and has the award nominations and wins to prove it. She was nominated for a best actress Golden Globe for her performance as Rebecca and took home two SAG Awards, along with the rest of the "This Is Us" cast, for best ensemble.
No. 7: She's a team player
Mandy Moore is not only an amazing actress on "This Is Us," but also a major team player. The former teen star gets along great with her fellow cast members including Sterling K. Brown, Milo Ventimiglia, Susan Kelechi Watson, Chrissy Metz, Jon Huertas and Justin Hartley. "Mandy shows up ready to go and try new things and also has the confidence to say, 'No, this is what I think,'" Milo told Variety of his co-star. He also gushed about Mandy to "Extra," saying, "Mandy has been and always will be an inspiration of good… She never ceases to amaze me." Aww! The entire cast made sure to support Mandy in March 2019 when she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
No. 8: She's never given up on love
Mandy Moore might have been involved in a toxic marriage, but she never lost hope for her happily ever after. The actress enjoyed a few months of single-dom before finding her prince charming, Dawes frontman Taylor Goldsmith, in 2015. The pair got engaged in 2017 and wed one year later. "I feel incredibly understood and supported," Mandy told People magazine. "I feel incredibly lucky to have somebody who is like, 'I got your back.' I found the right person and I feel like we can handle anything together."
No. 9: She's politically active
Mandy Moore wants her voice to be heard in today's political climate. The "Princess Diaries" actress participated in the 2017 Women's March, appeared on an a cappella version of "Fight Song" for the 2016 Democratic National Convention and made sure to vote in the 2018 midterm elections. "I did it. Now it's your turn. Tuesday 11/6. #VOTE," Mandy captioned this voting selfie.
No. 10: She's got a great eye
Mandy Moore is not only a singer and actress — she's also an interior design aficionado! With the help of designer Sarah Sherman Samuel and architect Emily Farnham, the "Tangled" star remodeled her new Pasadena, California, home, which was built in 1950, taking it back to its original midcentury modern style. The renovations were so impressive that Mandy snagged a June 2018 feature in Architectural Digest, where she showed off her digs. "We fell in love with the views, the pool, the yard, basically the whole energy of the place," Mandy told the mag. "This house signifies the next chapter of my life — as an adult, a woman and a performer. I was able to pour all of who I am into making this place."
No. 11: She isn't afraid to laugh at herself
Mandy Moore has no problem cracking a few jokes at her own expense. The "Walk to Remember" star often pokes fun at herself in #ThrowbackThursday and #FlashbackFriday posts on Instagram, shading old outfits, hairstyles and makeup looks. "A good ol' #fbf to a time when I didn't yet know how to smile and I walked the runway for a charity fashion show. Also, let this be a lesson for us all: red eyeliner is not a good look. 😳😬🙀," she wrote about this old photo.
No. 12: She's a fashion chameleon
Mandy Moore has never been one to limit her fashion and beauty choices. The actress has rocked dark brown locks, blonde hair, a bob, bangs, elaborate gowns, miniskirts, fitted dresses, baggy jeans, pleather, leggings, flats, heels and everything in between! No matter what look she chooses, she's always stunning.
No. 13: She gave us a great pop hit
This list wouldn't be complete without a mention of Mandy Moore's biggest hit, "Candy." We absolutely adored this song back in 1999! The bubblegum sound, fun lyrics and quintessentially '90s music video — what's not to love?
No. 14: She always makes time for her friends
Mandy Moore is no fair-weather friend. The actress-singer loves spending quality time with her besties. The group often takes girls' trips together and have previously traveled to Ojai, California, and Jackson, Wyoming. Mandy and her crew even scaled Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania together in 2018!
No. 15: She gives back
Mandy Moore always makes time in her busy schedule to give back to others. She endorses the philosophy of effective altruism and has worked with a number of nonprofit organizations, hospitals and charities including Population Services International, Five & Alive, The Gynecologic Cancer Foundation and GlaxoSmithKline, Indrani's Light Foundation, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Mandy is also as a spokesperson for Cervical Cancer Awareness Month and Dove's self-esteem movement and the "Women who should be famous" campaign.
