Mandy Moore has revealed the celebrity who stood by her during one of the most frightening periods of her life. The 42-year-old actress credited Hilary Duff with being a pillar of support during her first pregnancy in late 2020 and early 2021.
As both women navigated motherhood amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the This Is Us star explained that her connection with Duff, 38, deepened significantly. In a forthcoming episode of Amanda Hirsch's Not Skinny But Not Fat podcast, Moore described Duff as an invaluable source of strength as she prepared to become a mother for the first time.
Moore shares sons August, known as Gus, aged five, and Oscar, called Ozzie, three, along with 21-month-old daughter Louise, nicknamed Lou, with her husband Taylor Goldsmith. Reflecting on their shared experiences, Moore stated: 'We went through – Hilary went through her third pregnancy, and I went through my first pregnancy – like together. And so, I really was able to immediately lean on her.'
According to a clip from the podcast obtained by People ahead of its release, Moore also recalled how Duff welcomed a group of new mothers into her circle during a time marked by lockdowns, restrictions, and uncertainty. That mom group later gained notoriety when member Ashley Tisdale described it as toxic.
'Hilary was the one that welcomed in all these other new moms during the pandemic to a baby class at her house,' Moore shared. 'We started with like baby music class when our kids were like little blobs just lying on the grass. It was so much fun.'
Duff, a mother of four, organized classes and gatherings that fostered a support network among parents during the pandemic, Moore explained. 'I have become a mom with her and she's the best,' the star said.
Moore also reflected on the broader circumstances surrounding their pregnancies, describing the confusion and fear many parents felt during the height of COVID restrictions. 'It was feeling incredibly confusing and scary to be like pregnant during that strange time that gave us all PTSD,' she remarked.
The friendship between Moore and Duff dates back several years. Speaking to Glamour in February for a cover story focused on Duff, Moore discussed how their relationship blossomed after a chance meeting in 2018. 'I feel exceedingly lucky that my kids happen to spend time with people that I feel like our values are aligned with,' she said. 'The friends that I've made since becoming a parent are some of the deeper, more surprising friendships I've found as an adult.'
The podcast conversation comes as Moore continues to be recognized for her acclaimed role as Rebecca Pearson in This Is Us, while Duff remains best known for starring in the Disney Channel hit Lizzie McGuire, leading the TV Land comedy Younger, and releasing chart-successful pop music including Come Clean and So Yesterday. Moore first rose to fame as a singer with hits like Candy before establishing herself as an actress in projects such as A Walk to Remember, Tangled, and the Emmy-winning drama This Is Us. Duff became a household name through Lizzie McGuire, later starring in Younger and maintaining a successful music career alongside her television work.
