Mandy Moore has recently shared some exciting updates about her musical journey, particularly in relation to her five-year-old son, August “Gus” Harrison Goldsmith. As she collaborates with ABCmouse for their back-to-school campaign, the actress and singer reflects on Gus’s budding passion for music, delighting in how he has even composed his first album.
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In conversation with PEOPLE, Moore revealed that Gus, one of her three children with husband Taylor Goldsmith, has embraced songwriting, creating a collection of nine original songs. The album, which runs for a total of 21 minutes, was recorded using her and Goldsmith’s mobile phones, with features of piano played by his father. “It’s so much fun,” Moore remarked, expressing pride in Gus’s creative spirit, which she attributes to the influence of his dad.
Moore elaborated that Goldsmith often introduces their children to classic rock music during their car journeys, playing artists such as Tom Petty, David Bowie, the Beatles, and Bob Dylan. She appreciates this approach, stating, “We don’t have to listen to kids’ music per se. That’s a win in my book.” This exposure appears to have sparked Gus’s interest in music, complementing his own creative endeavours.
Interestingly, Gus has also unearthed one of his mother’s biggest hits from the late 1990s, “Candy.” Describing this unexpected discovery, Moore expressed her bemusement, admitting that she would not play the track for him herself. However, she shared that he now insists on listening to it frequently during car rides. “I’ve had to put a moratorium on it,” she quipped, adding, “Hearing it every once in a while is a total fun little bop and stroll down memory lane.”
Despite his young age, Gus is perhaps already envisioning a career in music, often reminding Moore, “I’m the same age that you were when you made that song.” This amusing comment highlighted how he comprehends the connection between his age and his mother’s achievements, prompting laughter from Moore, who gently corrected his assumption.
Reflecting on her own musical journey, Moore’s latest album, titled “In Real Life,” was released in May 2022. Recently, she has been supporting her friend Hilary Duff, who has made a notable return to music with her “Luck… or Something” album and a sold-out world tour. Moore attended several of Duff’s performances and commended her friend for her accomplishments, saying, “She’s crushing it so much. This is her year.”
Moore expressed how Duff’s success is motivating for her. “I would love to be able to make an arena full of people that happy as she’s made all of us when we’re watching her perform,” Moore mused. She acknowledged that her own musical style might not suit the same large-scale performances but stated that she feels an eventual return to music is in her future.
While it remains uncertain when Moore will release new music, she is optimistic about the prospect. “I want to figure out making music and going on the road again in a very strategic and intentional way,” she shared. The joy of connecting with an audience is something she misses and finds valuable. “Nostalgia reigns supreme right now, right?” she added, hinting at her awareness of the current cultural moment.
As she balances motherhood and potential musical endeavors, Moore seems committed to nurturing Gus’s creativity while also plotting her own artistic path, with the hope of making music that resonates with listeners once again.