Without question, Mandy Moore has had a big year. The actress found success with a starring role on NBC's breakout hit This Is Us, spent the summer promoting her new movie 47 Meters Down, and now she's focused on using her platform for a cause: partnering with Merck for Her Life. Her Adventures, a campaign that encourages women to speak openly about their birth control options. "As a 33-year-old woman at a specific certain juncture I find myself in my life right now, professionally and personally, the messaging of this campaign really resonated with me,” Moore tells Glamour. “It has me relating it back to my own life."
The project is just the tip of the iceberg for Moore, though: She’s gearing up for the second season of This Is Us and—wait for it—is even thinking about what’s next for her music career. Here she gives us a few clues about what happens to Jack (played by her costar Milo Ventimiglia), what a new album would look like, and how she's using her platform for advocacy.
Glamour: How did you get involved with the Her Life. Her Adventures campaign?
Mandy Moore: Essentially, it's an educational awareness campaign for women to realize their options, think about what they want out of life, and set a plan in place for themselves. As a part of their plan, we’re encouraging women to speak to their doctor about their birth control and family planning options. As a 33-year-old woman at a specific certain juncture I find myself in my life right now, professionally and personally, the messaging of this campaign really resonated with me. I mean, I get to play a character―a mother and a wife―from 22 to 66. She's led a rich, colorful life with many choices that led her to where she is. And even outside of that, as a professional who has the ability to use my platform to inspire women and continue this conversation around women’s health, I don't take that responsibility lightly. This is an important dialogue to continue during these times. Although birth control is a part of my plan now, it won't necessarily be a year from now. I want to use my platform to inspire other women out there.
Glamour: Speaking of This Is Us, how will we see Rebecca evolve in season two?
MM: I don’t really have a ton of answers. I'm hopeful we'll see some sort of resolution with Rebecca and Kate because I’m really curious about what happened over the course of their relationship. There’s a deep disconnect and seems to be a lot of pain there, and I want to delve into that. I’m also curious to continue the road to rebuilding the relationship with Randall after his trust has been completely decimated. I’m obviously hopeful for reconciliation with Jack and Rebecca.
Glamour: Will we finally find out how Jack dies in the next season?
MM: Yes, we will. I've been told the first episode will offer a very big revelation that factors into how he passed away. I know people are hungry for that answer, but once it comes, it’s going to be like there’s no way to come back and not know that. I think people are going to be remiss when they realize they actually could have waited for a little bit longer.
Glamour: What’s been the most challenging part of filming This Is Us? Is there anything that really hit home for you?
MM: Playing a wife and a mother for the first time onscreen was very daunting, initially—and playing this woman from 22 to 66.
Glamour: You look like a great 66-year-old.
MM: She obviously takes very good care of herself. She’s got a great skin care routine, drinks a lot of bone broth and water. She’s super healthy. That’s daunting because I obviously don’t have the life experience to back that up, but that’s what’s so fun about being an actor: getting to draw as much experience as possible from your real life, but also filling in the blanks with women I know. There’s something empowering about that. Every day brings something new and challenging. It’s the best job I’ve ever had.
Glamour: What was the status of Rebecca and Jack’s relationship at the end of Jack’s life?
MM: That will definitely be answered this season. I’m hoping they find their way back together, but the clock is ticking because it’s in this time period that he passes away.
Glamour: Will Milo Ventimiglia be in the show the whole time?
MM: He’ll be in it forever because of the nature of the show jumping around in time. He’s number one on the call sheet. He’s really the patriarch of the family―we all look to Milo. For example, last night we got our first script—it’s embargoed in case something leaks—but some people didn’t get scripts. So they were like, “Milo, did you get it? Can you forward the script?” If you need a question answered, go to Milo. He’s your guy.
Glamour: Did the show come to you with the idea for Rebecca to be a singer or did you come up with that one?
MM: I worked with Dan Fogelman on Tangled, but we didn’t know each other super well. Because of that, I think he was aware I sang and incorporated the idea about Rebecca being a singer. I keep putting out into the ether that I want my character to duet with Chrissy [Metz]. She has the most stunning voice, and I would love to see her sing more and see their connection with music.
Glamour: It’s been about eight years since your last album. Do you have plans to make another record?
MM: I do! Speaking with regards to this campaign, that’s top of my list in terms of the adventures I want to have in the next two years. I’ve written a lot―I have a lot to say. I have to stop making excuses, if I’m being totally honest. You find the time to do something you’re passionate about and you want, and I do want it. I’ve gotta figure it out and just go for it because I miss expressing myself that way. It’s a whole different skill set than I get to employ with my job on This Is Us. I’m lucky that my job now affords me the opportunity to sing and that definitely lit a fire within me. I live with a musician [Taylor Goldsmith], we sing together all the time, and music is a constant theme in my life. It has been for the past eight years. I’ve just gotta navigate my way back to it.
Glamour: Would you ever do a Dawes track together?
MM: Yeah! I sang on Dawes’ last record in the background. We’ve written some music together. I have so much admiration for him. He’s the best at what he does. I get tips from him. We can collaborate together―it’s really fun.
Glamour: Over the course of the past few records, you went in a folkier rock direction. If you were to make a record again, would you go down that path again or go back to your pop roots?
MM: I don’t know. To me, what’s most important is the song or the substance. With regards to how it’s produced…I don’t think I’ve gotten that far yet. I think I’d approach it the same way I worked on the last few records—by writing on guitar and piano and plotting an idea of a sound around how to present a song. That’s the kind of music I listen to, so it’s hard to imagine I’d go back in a definitive pop direction. I’m passionate about live music and a more organic sound, so that’s probably where I would stick. But I don’t know, I could find a really cool producer and say, “Let’s push this a little.” The way I see myself releasing music and going on tour is smaller venues. I’m not looking to be a pop star. I want to go on tour with a band, and I want the music to reflect that.
Glamour: You’ve been in the spotlight for a very long time. Is there anything you ever regret sharing with the world?
MM: No, I don’t. I’m pretty much an open book, but I’ve always realized from a young age how lucky I am to be in this position. I don’t take it for granted. I take advantage of the opportunities that have come my way. I think I’ve lucked out that I’ve never been thrust in the spotlight where people wanted to dissect every aspect of my life. I’ve been given a lot of distance and respect. It’s allowed me the best of both worlds. I have the job of my dreams, but I also have the freedom that doesn’t always come with it. I feel very lucky in that sense.
Glamour: When you delved into your singer-songwriter aspect of your music career, it showed off a raw talent. Would you ever go on a greatest-hits tour?
MM: Do I have hits? You are very kind to even mention that. When I do go back on tour, I will definitely incorporate songs from my past. I wouldn’t call them “greatest hits,” but some numbers from past records.
Glamour: Please sing “Candy” with a live band.
MM: I will! I think that will always be a part of the routine. It’s so much fun to do with a live band. As long as I don’t have to pretend how to dance; those days are behind me.
