While Mandy has enjoyed a huge amount of success at such a young age, it has not come without critics. Her album has been panned by the New York Post as being part of "an unending line of bubble-gum pop singers" and filled with "puppy-love lyrics border on the ridiculous to adult ears" in reference to songs like Candy . It also didn't stop the network that promotes and has a heavy investment in her to take its shots as well, as MTV's Sam Cannon wrote "Mandy's vocal skills still need some maturing" and "Mandy comes off as gangly and awkward". Now to be fair, it should be expected that this type of criticism would come with such a young talent, and unlike her older peers Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears, Mandy never had the 'minor-league' schooling that The Mickey Mouse Club provided them. Mandy also isn't known as the dancing type as those two are as well, meaning her music is the focus of her act, which again puts more pressure on her to rise above those two vocally.

While Mandy is primarily known for her singing, she also is stepping heavy into the acting arena as well. This year she not only will be getting heavy airplay on MTV seasonal events, she also will have her own series on the network. Plus, the popular teen hit Dawson's Creek will also feature Mandy. Advertisers are desperate to get in on the action as well, with Neutrogena signing Mandy to endorse their skin care products.

So what's the latest in Mandy's love life? Well despite rumors and an endless barrage of hate mail, she isn't nor hasn't gone out with the Backstreet Boys Nick Carter. Apparently many were mistaking her for his girlfriend Mandy Williford. While admitting she is currently single, Mandy has said "I'm sure that time will come when I really want a boyfriend. But for right now it's too hard on the road." And in a recent interview, she has admitted "I've gone through my fair share of jerks... one guy even left me stranded on a street corner and I had to call my parents to pick me up." Like many other of her young diva peers Mandy has said "Carson Daly is who I would go on a date with." if she had a choice to date any celebrity. In addition, she also has an affection for a certain married man "Ryan Phillipe. But he's married and he's kind of unattainable. But hey, I can dream." The lastest rumors swirled around her and an MTV news reporter, Brian McFayden, who's 9 years older than Mandy. She recently dismissed those rumors, saying her parents would have no part of that! And to clear up one other rumor, Mandy has volunteered, "I do like Britney Spears." adding, "I am glad she opened the door for more girls music".