'''Mandy Moore''' (born '''Amanda Leigh Moore''' on April 10, 1984) is an American singer and actress. Moore grew up in Florida and came to fame as a teenager in 2000, after the release of her debut album ''So Real''. Her subsequent albums, including the self-titled ''Mandy Moore'' and ''Coverage'', established her as a well-known pop singer in the United States. Moore has branched out into a film career, starring in 2002's successful teen film ''
A Walk to Remember'' and later appearing in the lead roles of less well-received movies also aimed at teenage audiences. Two of her latest films, ''
American Dreamz'' and ''
Saved!'', were parodies in which Moore portrayed darker characters than in her previous roles.
Moore's private life, including her relationships with tennis player Andy Roddick and actors Wilmer Valderrama and Zach Braff, has been much-discussed in the media. She is scheduled to appear in several films during 2006 and 2007, and is completing work on another music album.
Early life
Moore was born in Nashua, New Hampshire to Stacy (a former newspaper reporter) and Don Moore (a pilot for American Airlines).
She has Irish and Cherokee heritage on her father's side; her maternal grandfather was Jewish
and her English maternal grandmother was a professional dancer at the theater district in the West End of London, as well as a Wren during WWII; the two met and eloped to the United States after Moore's maternal grandfather, an American soldier, was stationed in London during WWII.
Moore has two brothers, Scott and Kyle; she grew up in Seminole County, Florida, outside of Orlando, moving there shortly after her birth because of her father's job.
She was raised in the Catholic religion (although she is no longer a practicing Catholic)
and attended Bishop Moore Catholic High School
[http://www.mooreofmandy.com/~simplymandy/articles/2003/july03-chi.htm "Mandy Moore knows How to Deal, even if she does still live at home" by Cindy Pearlman, ''The Chicago Sun-Times'', July, 2003, retrieved August 6, 2006] and Lake Brantley High School in Altamonte Springs.
Moore's interest in singing grew after seeing the musical ''Oklahoma!''; she was also encouraged to perform by her maternal grandmother, who was her inspiration.
After she sang the national anthem at several athletic events, a FedEx employee spotted her and sent her demo to Epic Records,
where she was subsequently signed to a record deal.
Music career
1999-2002: Early pop albums
right|thumb|Cover for ''So Real'' (1999), Moore's platinum-certified debut album
Moore toured with the Backstreet Boys throughout 1999.
Her first album, ''So Real'', was released in December of that year and reached number thirty-one on
