Actress, singer and certified cutie Mandy Moore has been lying low since splitting with her boyfriend of a year and a half, Scrubs star Zach Braff, last June.
But in the February issue of Jane Magazine, a dude-straddling Moore opens up about depression, leaving pop music behind, and why she doesn't like dating. Ooh. Don't tell this to Adam Goldstein, a.k.a. DJ AM (pictured), who's been following Moore around Hollywood and tapping that in the last several weeks.
Here are some interview excerpts:
On having a quarter-life crisis:
"I've been going through this really crazy time in my life â" it's what I imagine people fresh out of college go through. I'm asking myself life-altering questions like, âWho am I? Where do I fit in this world? What am I doing, what do I want to do? Am I living to my full potential?"
On her early albums:
"I feel bad that people wasted their money on such trite, blah pop music."
THG NOTE: But if you did, it's better than Ashlee Simpson's crap.
On being depressed:
"A few months ago, I felt really low, really sad. Depressed for no reason. I'm a very positive person, and I've always been glass half-full. So it was like someone flipped a switch in me."
On breaking up with Zach Braff:
"The breakup added to what I was going through, but it's not the complete reason. It definitely doesn't help if you're already in that place..."
THG NOTE: Don't tell Braff, who's apparently battling depression already, but on top of DJ AM, Moore has also been linked to Andy Roddick and man whore Wilmer Valderrama.
On leaving pop music behind:
"I could've made a record a year ago with the same people who do everybody's records. But I'm super-proud that I stuck to my guns. You don't have to follow the mainstream. I love pop music but it's not right for me."
On dating:
"I've tried dating a bit, and I don't like it. I know I should be putting myself out there. But I don't really think it's for me. That's not to say I'm ready to jump back into a relationship any time soon. I'm definitely not looking. But it would be fun to have a crush."
On why she doesn't drink:
"I'm a control freak, and I think maybe that's why. I'm too scared to see what will happen. I've been drunk maybe 2-3 times in my life, though I do like to have a glass of wine before going into the studio, to mellow me out."
THG NOTE: Lindsay Lohan does the same thing - you know, just a glass of wine or 15 before she walks onto a movie set.
On her image:
"I kind of am a goody-goody. But I'm not judgmental. I've done a couple of movies [A Walk to Remember, Saved] where I've played Christian characters, so people assume I'm very religious. It's not a completely correct perception of who I am."
On the future:
"I'm still figuring it all out, but I want to be extraordinary. I want to live up to my full potential. I've always been really shy, very âdon't look at me.' I've wanted to hide. But now I don't want to hide."

























May 21st, 2007 10:07 PM
Why didn't you ever go out with Shane West
He is super Hott and i just saw your movie " A Walk to Remember" it is one of my all time favorites although i did cry a lot
but you are soo pretty and you looked like a great couple with Shane West
You are soooooooooooooooo lucky to have kissed him
why didn't you ever go out with him
August 4th, 2007 9:32 PM
yeah.. mandy why you dont go out with shane . you two are perfect couple.. everyday i'm watching you movie walk to remember..
January 14th, 2008 1:57 AM
Yah Mandy for real. I saw the movie w/ SHane West, he is so hot, he's a singer too which fits your profile & lifestyle, u 2 would make e very hot, beautiful couple. On top of that have u seen his girlfriend CC SHeffiled, she looks just like u.
Maybe he's got a crush one you toto.
Kinda sort things out!
February 22nd, 2008 12:10 PM
hi truly think that you and shane would really make even if i had a crush on before but you guy in that movie looked like you were meant for each other