news archives

January 30, 2002 - Katrillion spoke with Mandy Moore about her beauty secrets and her recent move to switch to being brunette. Mandy admits, "I love it. I liked being a brunette. It was really weird, I almost felt like I was facing discrimination. I had to go blonde the day after production (on 'A Walk to Remember') finished and it killed my hair. So I changed it back to brunette." Read more.

January 30, 2002 - Teenmag.com spoke with Mandy Moore about not only her movie 'A Walk to Remember' but her recent appearance on MTV Diary. The singer/actress talked about watching scenes of her and then boyfriend Wilmer Valderrama. Mandy said, "Actually, since then, Wilmer and I aren't together anymore. So it was even more odd to kind of see that on TV last night, you know, because it's still a pretty fresh thing that we just kind of went through. So it's even more weird. I don't know." Read more.

January 30, 2002 - Mandy Moore was on with Craig Kilborn where she shared her thoughts about performing for President Bush as she revealed, "I got to perform for Christmas in Washington for the President and First Lady. It was so crazy to look front row center and there they are. He tried to make a joke and I said I'm from Florida and he said 'Oh, I know the governor of your state very well.' I gave him like a courtesy laugh. It was great."

January 29, 2002 - Howard Stern talked about his weekend on his radio show this morning and revealed he had a birthday party for his daughter on Friday where she and her 25 or so friends joined Howard and his father to watch the Mandy Moore starring 'A Walk To Remember.' Howard said he and his father enjoyed the movie even though it was kind of gay.

January 29, 2002 - Mandy Moore told fans on her official site's message board Sunday night, "So I understand that it is still 5 PM. PST, but wowie!! I want to send the biggest *THANKS* to everyone for enjoying the movie. I spent the evening with a bunch of the cast last night (Shane's band Average Joe played a show here in LA) and everyone was beyond thrilled and shocked to say the least. You guys have made such an impact---proving to those that it is ok to have a teen film that differs from the pack and actually teaches of hope, faith, love, and inspiration along the way." Her film 'A Walk to Remember' debuted in the #3 spot at the box office this past weekend.

January 28, 2002 - YM magazine spoke with Mandy Moore and Shane West for their comments on 'A Walk to Remember.' When asked "What message would you most like teenage girls to get from this movie," Mandy said, "A lot of my friends who have read the book are excited about the movie. My guy friends are like — Mandy, I want to find my Jamie, you have to help me find my Jamie, you have to tell me that she's out there. So I want guys to walk out maybe thinking that, too. But, just, faith in general, it doesn't have to be faith in God or in any organized religion, but just like I said, in mankind, in each other, in relationships, just in everything that's really special to you. I want people to walk out believing that there's hope." Read more.

January 28, 2002 - The Mandy Moore starring movie 'A Walk To Remember' landed in the #3 spot for the weekend box office getting $13.57 million, putting it behind 'Snow Dogs' and 'Black Hawk Down'. Dan Fellman, head of distribution for Warner said of Mandy, "Mandy's certainly been a star in the recording studio and she's now a real deal moving on to the big screen." The move puts even more pressure on pop rival Britney Spears with 'Crossroads.' Read more.

January 27, 2002 - Teen People's Spotlight is on Mandy Moore and "A Walk To Remember." It's got an exclusive behind-the-scenes gallery of photos from the set, trivia, photo games, interview video, and the "Cry" video. Check it out here.

January 27, 2002 - ETonline.com spoke with Mandy Moore at her Cosmo Girl cover shoot where the singer talked about coping with her father being a pilot for American Airlines following the terror hijackings on September 11. Mandy said, "I am a lot more nervous for my dad now then I have ever been before! Growing up, you don't think about these types of things, but as I have gotten older and really realized the responsibility that he has for everybody else on the plane with him, it's [become more] scary. [But] I love my dad and I know he is a great pilot, so all is good." Read more.

January 27, 2002 - Jonathan Takiff of the Philadelphia Daily News profiled the continuing tend of pop stars crossing over into film. Takiff examined the successes and failures of Mandy Moore, Eminem, Mariah Carey, *NSYNC, Britney Spears, and Madonna. Takiff said, "Even though 'Glitter' and 'On the Line' bombed badly at the box office and soundtrack chart, and the advance word on Spears' road trip isn't promising much besides the chance to see the pop queen in a wet T-shirt, these low-budget films are all likely to recoup their relatively slight investments through home video, airline and TV showings." Read more.

January 26, 2002 - Associated Press movie critic Christy Lemire reviewed the Mandy Moore starring 'A Walk to Remember' giving it a mixed grade. Lemire described Moore's chacter saying, "andy Moore plays quiet Jamie Sullivan, the reverend's daughter. She walks around the small town of Beaufort, N.C., with the condescending tone and creepy, ethereal smile of the morally and spiritually righteous." Like others, Lemire criticized the Christian overtones and the offensive token black guy. Read more.

January 26, 2002 - Ellen A. Kim of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer gave a decent B- review for the Mandy Moore starring 'A Walk to Remember'. Kim said, "What saves the film is the chemistry between the two leads. West plays an extension of his television character but does a convincing job with Landon's transformation. Moore, in dyed-brown hair and baggy jumpers for her first leading role, affably eschews the mug-and-pose yearnings of her music videos (she slips only when she sings)." Read more.

January 26, 2002 - Pam Sitt of the Seattle Times reviewed the Mandy Moore starring 'A Walk To Remember' giving it 2 1/2 stars and saying of Mandy's performance, "Moore is nearly sickeningly sweet in her leading-lady debut, but effective as the goody-two-shoes to [Shane] West's bad boy." As for the film, she said echoed Mandy's earlier comments saying it "is a saccharine, but fresh and PG-rated alternative to, well, 'Not Just Another Teen Movie.'" Read more.

January 26, 2002 - Mike Balz of the Hoya blistered the film starring debut of Mandy Moore calling the film "grossly unrealistic" and added that "the acting is terrible." As for the moral message of the film, Balz blasted, "The worst part of 'A Walk to Remember' is not that it borrows its plot from other movies, but rather its original and offensive attempt at teaching morality to its audience. It presents faith in Jesus as a romantic ideal, portrays non-Christians as 'bad' people and will make every impressionable, soon-to-be anor-exic teenage girl add 'get married before graduating high school' to the list of things that beautiful pop stars do. This film must be avoided at all costs." Read more.
Note: This review is basically a spoiler, so don't read if you are wanting to see it and be surprised. 

January 26, 2002 - Jami Bernard of the New York Daily News reviewed the new Mandy Moore movie, 'A Walk to Remember', giving the film 1 star. The critic said, "The audience for this chaste teen romance won't be film lovers, as the movie is sappy and listlessly paced. But it's just the ticket for people who want their movies sanitized, their surprises signposted and their vision of love preposterously idealized and shot through gauze." Read more.

January 26, 2002 - Jonathan Takiff of the Philadelphia Daily News gave his thoughts on 'A Walk to Remember' giving Mandy a pretty decent assessment. Takiff said Mandy "has a natural, knowing way about her, a subtle smile and soft-spoken demeanor that make her character seem genuine, caring and courageous in the face of adversity — quite the positive role model." Takiff adds, "Moore's character also gets a couple chances in the film to pour her heart out in song — as church choir soloist and newly blossoming star of the school musical — and in both cases does so angelically. This is one MTV teen queen whose career could last past lunchtime." Read more.

January 26, 2002 - Sue Pierman of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel gave 'A Walk to Remember' a 2 1/2 star rating saying of the flick, "This is a contemporary, chaste - yes, chaste - love story that manages to sidestep bad language, bathroom humor and pot-smoking. Ultimately, it also resembles a cake overloaded with frosting: A bit of this sweet tearjerker is nice, but enough is enough." Read more.

January 26, 2002 - Michael H. Kleinschrodt, movie critic to The Times-Picayune gave 'A Walk to Remember' a 2 star rating which he credited mostly to the film's stars, while punishing the modernized screenplay. Kleinschrodt said, "Moore displays far more range than she did in "The Princess Diaries" and could develop into a fine young actress." He added, "Considering what they have to work with, [Shane] West and Moore give solid, appropriately moist-eyed performances." Read more.

January 26, 2002 - Carrie Rickey of the Philadelphia Inquirer gave 'A Walk to Remember' a three star review saying the film, "Likewise his actors and their audience. It's wholesome as a glass of milk, and as refreshing." Read more.

January 25, 2002 - Access Hollywood spoke with Mandy Moore outside of the 'A Walk To Remember' premiere in Hollywood. Mandy talked about her love life that she says has never included true love, despite her year plus relationship with Wilmer Valderrama. "I don't think that I have ever really truly been in love. I am 17. I have my whole life to find my true love and what it is all about," she said. Read more.

January 25, 2002 - WireImage.com has photos of Mandy Moore and several other celebrities at the premiere of 'A Walk To Remember' which took place in Hollywood on Wednesday. Check out all the pictures here.

January 25, 2002 - Splash has photos of Mandy Moore at the 'A Walk to Remember' premiere in Hollywood on Wednesday. Check out the photos here.

January 25, 2002 - Entertainment Tonight announced at the close of Thursday's show that they'll be behind the scenes of the new Cosmo Girl cover photo-shoot with Mandy Moore. Check your local listings.

January 25, 2002 - Mandy Moore spoke with Katrillion about her new movie, 'A Walk To Remember', where she said she thought teens are looking for something more thought provoking than typical teen partying hits like 'American Pie'. Mandy said, "I think teenagers are a little smarter than that and they need a challenge. They need something different, anything that has meaning, anything that is going to speak to them." Read more.

January 25, 2002 - Mandy Moore spoke with TV Guide about her clean-cut image that has given her less noteriety of her pop peers Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears. Mandy admits, "In this day and age, you're criticized for doing the whole sexy thing, but at the same time, you're getting so much attention for it that people end up loving it — or talking about it, at least — and I guess that's the whole point. It's a lot easier to go down that path, but it's just not me." Read more.

January 24, 2002 - Caroline Kepnes of Entertainment Weekly is sounding off on the disappearance of the 'ugly girl' in team movies which have been replaced with the 'pretty ugly girl.' Her chief example, "I dare you to sit through pop tartlet Mandy Moore's turn as a social leper/bible clutcher in 'A Walk to Remember.' The sub-Britney chanteuse is, for me, the pretty ugly girl that breaks the teen movie genre's back. 'A Walk To Remember' suggests -- in a slick, underhanded sort of way -- that ugly people are ugly by choice, that they've just chosen not to embrace their inner hottie." Read more.

January 23, 2002 - Y-100 has photos of Mandy Moore at Dillard's in the Pembroke Lakes Mall where the singer signed autographs and answered fans questions to promote his upcoming film, 'A Walk to Remember'. Check out the photos here.

January 23, 2002 - Sean Daly of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel spoke with Mandy Moore who was aprehensive on talking about Wilmer Valderrama, but eventually opened up later in the interview revealing details of his one year anniversary gift to her. "He wrote a song for me," she said, called "Our Love Is Always." "It was very sweet. People who know me know that music is such a big part of my life, and it was just such a sweet step for him to realize that and know that and make that effort... even though he's not a singer." At the time of the interview, Mandy revealed, "everything is going real good" between her and "first real relationship and my first real boyfriend" Wilmer. Read more.

January 22, 2002 - Shane West spoke with the Calgary Sun about his kissing scenes with Mandy Moore on the set of 'A Walk To Remember' and the actor admitted, "Her boyfriend [at the time, Wilmer Valderrama] was on set for a couple of those scenes. It made it awkward for her and a little nervewracking for me, but Mandy was a real trooper." Read more.

January 22, 2002 - Hip Online spoke with Mandy Moore about her music and film careers and when asked how her second album was so much more mature than her first, she replied, ") I think what really changed between the two albums was me having a say. I wasn't necessarily told what to do, but it was recommended. I was fourteen at the time I recorded that album, and honestly, I had no concept that the album was going to be around forever. I was much more aware of that this time around and had much more creative control. I was passionate about the songs and went in without regard to whether the record label was going to like it. I'm about to start recording again next month and I've been writing a lot and I'm excited." Read the entire interview here.

January 22, 2002 - Mandy Moore told fans on her official site's message board on Monday when asked if she was a fan of Fleetwood Mac, "That's right. I am a big Fleetwood Mac fan (as are my parents). If you don't have it already, go grab their Greatest Hits... or heck, just grab the 'Rumors' album."

January 22, 2002 - Sal Cinquemani of Slant magazine is giving the 'A Walk To Remember' soundtrack a 3 1/2 out of 5 star rating and credits the "largely under-appreciated" Mandy Moore for proving "she's one step ahead of the teen-pop pack with the stirring piano ballad 'Only Hope' and a cover of New Radicals' 'Someday We'll Know.'" Read more.

January 21, 2002 - In an abstracts.net poll asking 'What profession do you think Mandy should concentrate on the most?', 61.8% said singing, 15.1% said acting, and 23.1% said modeling, with 403 total votes cast.

January 21, 2002 - Mandy Moore thanked fans for their support on her official site's message board today telling them, "I just wanted to say thanks from the bottom of my heart for all of your support with the film over the past few weeks!! I couldn't have done any of this without you. I am looking forward to the premiere on Wednesday and of course opening night!!! Thanks for all your support with 'Cry' at radio and on TRL. I am glad you are digging the soundtrack."

January 21, 2002 - Mandy Moore told fans on her official site's message board that her year plus relationship with 'That 70's Show' star Wilmer Valderrama is over. Mandy said, "Well for those of you who haven't heard or merely haven't listened to the gossip... it is true. Wilmer and I have broken up. It is a sad place to be, but I'm happy to have some time for myself for a while. Thanks for understanding" Check out fan reaction to the news here.

January 21, 2002 - Launch.com spoke with Mandy Moore about her character in the movie 'A Walk To Remember' where the singer plays a high school girl named Jamie. Mandy said, "It's so taboo. It's so not politically correct to have a character in a movie have religious beliefs and be, not necessarily outspoken about it, but have it be known--have it be obvious." Read more.

January 20, 2002 - Syndicated radio host Kidd Kraddick had Mandy Moore and Shane West visit the studio to promote their new movie, 'A Walk To Remember'. Unfortunately, there's no audio but there are a few photos of the pair with the DJ staff. Check them out here.

January 19, 2002 - Splash has more photos of the Mandy Moore and Shane West attended 'A Walk To Remember' special screening at Planet Hollywood in New York City. Check out the pictures here.

January 18, 2002 - WireImage.com has several photos of Mandy Moore and Shane West at the special screening of their movie "A Walk To Remember" at Planet Hollywood on Thursday. Check out pictures of the pair here.

January 16, 2002 - Mandy Moore left a phoned in message on her official site laying out her upcoming busy schedule as she was in Miami at the time. Mandy says she's looking forward to getting back in the studio after she finishes filming 'A Walk To Remember'. Mandy said she was feeling a little sick and no doubt her round the country tour is taking a toll. Check our her 2 minute clip here.

January 16, 2002 - Craig Kilborn told his producers on Tuesday's Late Late Show, "I want Mandy Moore on the show in a few weeks. I saw her at a restaurant recently. She's done the show and I said, I want you on, Mandy, and I want you to sing. She's got the brown hair now and I want her on. Let's see what kind of juice we have. Mandy Moore." So look for Mandy on the show in a few weeks.

January 15, 2002 - Readers of Stuff magazine have dubbed Britney Spears as the "Sexiest Woman in the World," where the pop princess beat out Latin diva Jennifer Lopez, who nabbed the #2 spot. The mag said of Britney, "Spears is so hot she may be a bigger threat to the environment than global warming." Shakira also appeared in the top 10 grabbed the #9 spot. Further back was Mandy Moore at #67.

January 14, 2002 - Mandy Moore apologized to fans on her official site's message board for not posting lately but explained the circumstances. Mandy said, "Well, well, well. The time has come again to apologize for not posting in a long while. I have been working non-stop for well over a week promoting the movie 'A Walk To Remember'. Shane and I have been on the road in Seattle, San Fran, Dallas, Atlanta, Denver, etc., and want to thank everyone for being so supportive in each city. I can't even tell you how psyched I am about the film. It's so wonderful to talk to people... even adults who have been impacted by the book and the film. It's beyond amazing... like all the hard work has paid off. I am in Miami right now and will be in Chicago on Tuesday, NYC on Wednesday and Thursday, and D.C. on Friday. Anyways wanted to keep you guys updated and give you reason why I have been online. I don't know if I have ever worked this hard hahaha. Well... take care and smile." Mandy also adds she'll appear on the Rosie O'Donnell show on Wednesday. 

January 10, 2002 - WireImage.com has photos of Mandy Moore at the 29th Annual American Music Awards in Los Angeles on Wednesday. Check them out here.

January 8, 2002 - IMDB reports Mandy Moore has admitted that her life as an actress is easier than life as a musician. Moore admits, "Actors don't realize how easy they have it. Musicians are always travelling. We're constantly having to change plans at a moments notice. Actors, when you're on location you have such a nice regimented schedule. It was such a wonderful experience compared to what my life is like normally. Musicians are used to changing time zones, getting on planes and feeling as if your body's still moving when you're not." Mandy says despite the added work involved with music, she doesn't plan on giving it up, "I still want the main point of my career to be music but I'm ready for more acting. I want to dive in head first."

January 2, 2002 - WireImage.com has several photos of Mandy Moore, O-Town, and Willa Ford, plus the rest of the guests on the MTV 2002 New Year's Party from the rehearsal, show, and backstage. Check out the pictures here.

January 1, 2002 - A funny moment on the MTV New Year's Eve special came when MTV's Bryan McFayden talked about New Year's Eve kissing when Mandy Moore suggested to him, "Don't get any ideas." Many may remember rumors the two were an item despite their 9 year age difference and Mandy being a minor.

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