he's just 15 years old...but knew by the age
of six that she was meant to be on stage.
She's still in high school (and an honor
student)...but already is a poised performer of exceptional ability and impressive
experience.
She's an outgoing, fun-loving teenager who started
out "jumping on my bed and singing"...and now looks forward to the release of
her 550 Music debut album.
She's Mandy Moore, and here are a few things
you should know about her:
Amanda Leigh (Mandy) Moore was born April 10, 1984 in
Nashua, New Hampshire but two months later moved with her family to Orlando, Florida.
"O-Town! I really like living here, for the weather and for all the fun things there
are to do." Mandy discovered her love of singing when she went to a summer musical
theater camp when she was nine years old. "My parents thought it was just a phase I'd
grow out of. But I stuck to it and begged them for acting lessons, for voice
lessons."
Where did she get her talent? Mandy isn't sure, but
she has an idea. "It may have come from my grandmother. She was a dancer in the
theater district of London, the West End." And in Orlando, Mandy soon became known as
the "National Anthem Girl." "Yes, that's me! Some people know me that way
because they've heard me sing 'The Star-Spangled Banner' for all the major sports teams
and for Chris Evert's Pro-Celebrity Tennis Tournament."
National commercials, TV pilots, and voice-overs have
made Mandy a veteran of the recording studio. "When I first started recording, it was
hard. My friends didn't understand why I couldn't hang out with them as much. I thought
they'd talk behind my back or be jealous. But they've become really supportive, and I feel
blessed by that."
Mandy likes all kinds of music, especially the songs
of other female singers like Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Lauryn Hill and Madonna. Her
album reflects the diversity of her taste, from the plaintive ballad "Quit Breakin'
My Heart" to the alluring "What You Want" to "So Real," which she
describes as having "more of a rock edge, with more guitar - a Natalie Imbruglia type
of song."
Mandy lives in Orlando with her parents, Don and
Stacy; her brothers Scott (18) and Kyle (13); and their three cats Milo, Zoe, and Chloe.
Mandy's favorite book is A Land Remembered, her favorite movie is Beaches, her favorite
actress is Gwyneth Paltrow and her favorite actor is Ryan Philipe. In school, Mandy enjoys
English and French...but math is a touchy subject! She's also learning to play guitar with
an eye towards writing her own songs.
Growing up too fast? Mandy Moore doesn't think so.
"I don't feel I've missed out on anything about growing up because I feel so
fortunate. There are so many kids that would love to be doing what I'm doing!"