Mandy Moore’s Relationship History, Explained: From Teen Heartthrob Romances to Her Loving Family Life
Mandy Moore’s journey from ’90s pop sensation to Emmy-nominated actress has been as captivating as her on-screen roles—but her love life? That’s a plot twist-filled rom-com all its own, complete with highs, heartbreaks, and a hard-won happy ending.
With her third child arriving in late 2024, the This Is Us star’s story resonates more than ever for fans tracking her path to stability. Here’s the full timeline of Moore’s relationships, from early flings to her current bliss with Taylor Goldsmith.
Early Days: A Whirlwind Romance with Wilmer Valderrama (2000-2002)
Mandy’s first high-profile beau was That ’70s Show heartthrob Wilmer Valderrama. They met when she was just 15 and he was 19, but sparks didn’t fly until 2000, when Moore was 16 and skyrocketing with hits like “Candy.” The pair dated for two years, bonding over Hollywood’s glare.
Their split in 2002 was amicable at first, but Valderrama stirred drama in a 2006 Howard Stern interview, crudely claiming he was her first intimate partner and likening the experience to “warm apple pie.” Moore clapped back years later, calling it “not true” and emphasizing their enduring friendship despite the “inexplicable fib.” Today, they share a laugh over old photos—no hard feelings.
Scrubs Star Zach Braff: A Creative Collision (2004-2007)
Fresh off her Valderrama era, Moore connected with Scrubs creator and star Zach Braff in 2004. Their three-year romance blended her music world with his indie film vibe—they even collaborated on his 2006 short I’ve Been Waiting for You.
The split in 2007 was mutual and low-key, with Moore later reflecting on it as a “beautiful time” that taught her about vulnerability. Braff has echoed the positivity, praising her talent in interviews. No bad blood here—just two artists parting ways.
The Ryan Adams Chapter: A Painful Lesson in Love (2008-2016)
In 2008, Moore found solace in indie rocker Ryan Adams, whose songwriting mirrored her own. They got engaged in February 2009 after less than a year together and tied the knot in a private Los Angeles ceremony on March 10.
What started as a fairy tale soured quickly. Moore filed for divorce in January 2015 after six months of separation, finalizing it in June 2016. In 2019, amid Adams’ broader scandal (accusations of emotional abuse from multiple women), Moore opened up about her “emotionally abusive” experience, saying it made her feel “small” and isolated from her career.
On her Dinners on Me podcast in 2024, Moore dissected the union as a rebound from her parents’ divorce, admitting, “I cannot believe I made myself so small.” It’s a raw testament to growth—she credits the ordeal with sharpening her instincts for healthier bonds.
Finding Her Match: Taylor Goldsmith and a Growing Family (2015-Present)
Enter Taylor Goldsmith, frontman of folk-rock band Dawes. They met in 2015 through mutual friends and started dating soon after, with Moore gushing about his “kind soul” from the jump. By September 2017, they were engaged, and on November 18, 2018, they married in a backyard ceremony at her Los Angeles home, surrounded by 100 loved ones.
The couple’s family bloomed fast: Son August “Gus” arrived February 20, 2021, followed by Oscar “Ozzie” on October 10, 2022—despite Moore calling the close spacing “medically inadvisable.” In September 2024, they welcomed daughter Louise “Lou” Everett Goldsmith, rounding out their trio.
As of October 2025, Moore and Goldsmith are stronger than ever, sharing glimpses of their “chaotic joy” on Instagram. At the 2025 GRAMMYs, they posed radiantly, with Moore crediting him as her “rock” amid This Is Us fame and motherhood. No divorce rumors in sight—they’re all in on this “happily ever after.”
Quick Hits: Other Notables and What We’ve Learned
- DJ AM (2007): A brief, intense fling with the late DJ, marked by mutual support during his struggles.
- Andy Roddick (2003): Rumored tennis star link, but unconfirmed—more tabloid fodder than fact.
Moore’s arc? From teen stardom’s pitfalls to embracing vulnerability, it’s a blueprint for redemptive love. As she told People in 2024, “I’ve learned to choose partners who lift me up.” With Goldsmith by her side, that lesson’s paying off big time.
By Sam Michael
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