Mandy Moore Gets Candid About Motherhood, Marriage and Helping Parents Protect Their Babies from RSV (EXCL)
After both of her sons were diagnosed with RSV, the 'This is Us' actress turned her family’s health scare into a mission to help others
Few artists embody versatility like Mandy Moore, whose career spans music, film, and television. Moore first rose to fame as a pop star in the late 1990s with hits like Candy and I Wanna Be With You, then evolved into a thoughtful singer-songwriter with albums like Wild Hope and Silver Landings.
In 2002, she made audiences fall in love with her heartfelt performance in A Walk to Remember, later voicing Rapunzel in Disney’s Tangled. From 2016 to 2022, Moore earned acclaim for playing family matriarch Rebecca Pearson in NBC’s hit series This Is Us.
Now, Moore is lending her voice to another important role — as spokesperson for ProtectAgainstRSV.com, helping raise awareness about respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common illness that affects two out of three babies by age one. The mission is personal: both of Moore’s sons were diagnosed with RSV, inspiring her to educate other parents about the virus. Woman’s World sat down with Moore to get her story…and her new mission
Woman’s World: Take me back to when your two sons, Gus and Ozzie, were diagnosed with RSV.
Mandy Moore: It happened around Halloween of 2023. It was scary and jarring, but thankfully, they didn’t have to be hospitalized.
WW: And soon after, you learned you were pregnant with your third child?
Mandy Moore: Yes! That experience made me determined to protect our next baby, Lou, who was born in September 2024—right before RSV season. Our pediatrician told us about Beyfortus, a preventive antibody that helps protect babies from serious RSV lung infections. Given what we went through with the boys, I made sure Lou received it.
WW: What symptoms did the boys have, and when did you know it was more than a cold?
Mandy Moore: RSV can start like a common cold, but I could tell something wasn’t right. My older son gets croup often, so I’m used to respiratory issues—but this was different. We went to the pediatrician and got the diagnosis just before Halloween. Humidifiers helped, and thankfully, we got through it at home.
WW: Were they disappointed to miss trick-or-treating?
Mandy Moore: Yes, but we made it fun! My husband and I turned our house into a mini Halloween village. I ran door-to-door handing out different candies—one door for gummy bears, one for M&Ms, one for lollipops. They still got the experience without spreading germs.
WW: How did you handle the stress of two sick kids?
Mandy Moore: I tried to have grace for myself and leaned on my doctor’s guidance. Staying in close contact with our pediatrician gave me peace of mind.
WW: Has becoming the spokesperson for ProtectAgainstRSV.com helped you heal from that experience?
Mandy Moore: Absolutely. I’m honored to advocate for new and expecting parents. Raising awareness about RSV and letting families know they have options is something I’m passionate about.
WW: You’ve got three kids under five. How do you juggle it all?
Mandy Moore: It’s definitely a lot! I remind myself, “This is just a moment.” Every phase—no matter how chaotic—is temporary. I try to zoom out, breathe, and keep perspective.
WW: What gets you through tough mom moments?
Mandy Moore: Deep breaths, patience and grace. I remind myself I’m human. Parenthood is unpredictable—some days are tough, others are magical. Allowing myself to be imperfect helps me stay grounded.
WW: How has motherhood changed you?
Mandy Moore: It’s taught me flexibility. No two days look the same. I try to balance work, parenting, and self-care. Sometimes that means working out or having a date night after the kids go to bed—just making sure my cup feels full in different ways.
WW: You’ve also spoken about living with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Did that affect how you handled your sons’ RSV?
Mandy Moore: Thankfully, no. My doctors monitored me closely during pregnancy because ITP affects blood clotting, but it didn’t change how I cared for my kids.
WW: You mentioned date nights with your husband, Taylor Goldsmith. How do you make time for each other?
Mandy Moore: We’re intentional about it! My mother-in-law is an amazing babysitter, and we carve out a couple time whenever we can. Sometimes that’s a quiet night with wine or watching The Great British Bake Off. It’s our way of reconnecting.
WW: Do you still get butterflies after all these years?
Mandy Moore: Always. Taylor’s my best friend. After the kids go down, we can just be together—that’s my favorite time of day.
WW: And with three little ones?
Mandy Moore: We’re still figuring it out! Parenting changes constantly. One week it’s sleep regressions, the next it’s picky eating. I’ve learned never to get too comfortable—kids keep you on your toes!
WW: You released your 7th studio album, In Real Life, in 2022. Any new music on the horizon?
Mandy Moore: Not right now, but I’m sure it’ll come around again soon. Music is always part of me.
WW: You’re also voicing a new animated series and filming a show called The Land.
Mandy Moore: Yes! The Land is created by Dan Fogelman, who also did This Is Us. It’s about an NFL family, and I play the daughter being groomed to take over the team. She’s a tough, unapologetic businesswoman—very different from roles I’ve played before. It’s so much fun!
WW: Sounds like a great reunion with Dan Fogelman.
Mandy Moore: Totally. Many This Is Us crew members are part of it too—it feels like coming home. The show will stream on Hulu next year.
WW: Would you ever revisit Tangled in a live musical version?
Mandy Moore: I know a live-action Tangled is in the works! I’m way too old to play Rapunzel, but I’d love to be involved in some way. If the right movie musical came along, that would be a dream.
WW: Do your kids know you’re Rapunzel?
Mandy Moore: They know she’s my favorite princess, but I don’t think they realize she’s me (laughs).
WW: Do you still sing your kids to sleep?
Mandy Moore: I used to! Now our bedtime routine is more about stories—“Once upon a time” tales where they pick the theme. When they were younger, they always wanted one song from me and one from their dad. I’d love to bring that back.
WW: You seem to have it all figured out.
Mandy Moore: Oh, I’m definitely still figuring it out—but I’ll keep faking it till I make it! (laughs)
WW: What are your favorite holiday traditions?
Mandy Moore: Breakfast for dinner on Christmas Eve! We did it when I was a kid—eggs, bacon, pancakes—and I’ve passed it on to my family. It’s the best way to kick off the holiday.
For more information about RSV, visit ProtectAgainstRSV.com
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