Where most people were listening to Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears, I was a blasting Mandy Moore through the earphones of my discman.
Mandy is the most underrated icon of an entire generation of teenage girls who wanted to have the same sweet voice, glitter eyeshadow and love someone as much as candy.
But all good things must come to an end and, one fateful day about a decade ago, Mandy stepped away from the microphone for good and decided to pursue a more serious career in acting.
Did I respect her decision? Of course.
Was I quietly shattered that I would never again be able to dance around my bedroom listening to her latest studio album? Yep.
Have I listened to ‘Candy’ almost every day since? You better believe it.
But now, friends, the day has come. Mandy ‘Candy’ Moore has released her first new music in ten years. She has risen from the abandoned ashes of her childhood singing career and brought something fresh to our ears.
Mandy’s new track is called ‘When I Was Watching’ and it’s a mood. Not a sultry, poppy mood like ‘Candy’ (nothing will ever again reach ‘Candy’ status), but a mature, mellow, adult mood feat. Mandy swaying around in a beautiful red dress.
Notice how Many casually dropped the news that she has an entire album on the way?^ Yeah, people have lost their minds and, same.
I stan an iconic, resilient, talented queen. Even if I am quietly salty that I’ll never be able to pull off a short choppy ‘cool girl’ haircut like she can.