Mandy Moore's Emotional Journey in the Finale of This Is Us
Table of Contents:
- Introduction
- The World on March 12, 2020
- A Bizarre Experience in New York
- Performing to an Empty Theater
- The Only People in the Building
- A Little Baby Boy
- Six Years of "This Is Us"
- The Series Finale Approaching
- Emotions in the Last Two Episodes
- Filming the Finale Three Years Ago
- Sentimental Items from the Set
- Playing the Matriarch
- Acting with Sterling K. Brown and Justin Hartley
- Wrapping Up "This Is Us"
- Conclusion
😷 The World on March 12, 2020
The year 2020 will forever be etched in our memories, not only because of the COVID-19 pandemic but also because of the unprecedented changes it brought to our lives. March 12, 2020, marked a turning point when the world seemed to be on the brink of an apocalypse. People everywhere were grappling with fear and uncertainty, and the impact was felt across all industries, including the entertainment world.
🏢 A Bizarre Experience in New York
During this time, the bustling and vibrant city of New York came to a grinding halt. As Mandy Moore recalls, she was in the city for a performance when everything started to change. Between sound check and the actual filming, it was announced that there would be no audience. The iconic Rockefeller Center was shutting down, and New York City itself was shutting down. The atmosphere was nothing short of terrifying.
🎭 Performing to an Empty Theater
Mandy and her fellow performers found themselves in a surreal situation. They were the only people in the building, apart from the crew of the "Today" show who had also decided to hunker down. The jokes they had prepared for the audience fell flat without their laughter and applause. Mandy had to adapt quickly, performing for an empty theater, an experience she describes as truly bizarre.
👶 A Little Baby Boy
However, since that tumultuous time, Mandy Moore's life has taken a turn for the better. In the time since she last appeared on the show, she has become a mother to a beautiful baby boy. The joy and pride in her voice are evident as she talks about her son, Gus. At 14 months old, he is already walking, talking, and bringing immense happiness into Mandy's life.
💔 Six Years of "This Is Us"
Reflecting on the passing of time, Mandy and the host reminisce about the first time Mandy appeared on the show, six years ago. Back then, "This Is Us" was just starting, and now, it is approaching its series finale. Mandy expresses her gratitude for being a part of the show and the opportunity it has given her to witness the growth of her co-stars' careers.
😢 Emotions in the Last Two Episodes
As the series finale draws closer, emotions are running high for both the cast and the audience. Mandy hints at the emotional intensity of the penultimate episode, revealing that she even threw up after reading it. The culmination of six years of portraying her character, saying goodbye to her on-screen family and friends, and experiencing her character's own farewell proved to be overwhelming. However, she assures viewers that the finale brings a sense of closure and a lighter tone.
🎥 Filming the Finale Three Years Ago
The uniqueness of "This Is Us" lies not only in its storytelling but also in its non-linear narrative. Mandy shares that some scenes from the finale were actually filmed three years ago. The creators wanted to capture a specific time in the characters' lives and decided to film those scenes ahead of time. Mandy admits that when she saw those scenes, she couldn't even remember shooting them, highlighting the complexity and intricacy of the show's storytelling.
📸 Sentimental Items from the Set
As the show reaches its end, Mandy and her co-star Milo Ventimiglia took a moment to preserve some memories from the set. They went through the Pearson house one last time, taking down family photos and keeping some of the frames. While these pictures may have been slated for disposal, they held significance to Mandy and Milo. Mandy also took her character's wedding ring and the Steelers jersey from the Super Bowl episode, cherishing the sentimental connections these items held for her.
👩👦 Playing the Matriarch
Playing a character as dynamic and multifaceted as Rebecca Pearson has been an incredible journey for Mandy. From a young woman giving birth to triplets to an 80-year-old matriarch, Mandy had no idea of the vastness her role would encompass when she first auditioned for the show. The opportunity to work with talented actors like Sterling K. Brown and Justin Hartley, portraying their mother despite being younger than them in real life, was both terrifying and rewarding.
🎬 Wrapping Up "This Is Us"
As the interview comes to a close, Mandy expresses her gratitude for the experience of being a part of "This Is Us." The final two episodes hold immense emotional weight, with the penultimate episode breaking hearts and the finale offering some closure and levity. Mandy acknowledges the brilliance of the show's writing and praises the creator, Dan Fogelman, for his foresight in filming crucial scenes ahead of time.
In conclusion, Mandy Moore's journey through "This Is Us" has been a rollercoaster of emotions, both on-screen and off-screen. From the world nearly ending to the joy of motherhood, she has experienced the full spectrum of human emotions. As the series finale approaches, fans are eagerly anticipating the emotional impact it will have, while cherishing the memories created throughout six remarkable years.
Highlights:
- Mandy Moore reflects on the surreal experience of performing to an empty theater during the onset of the pandemic.
- She shares the joy of becoming a mother and introduces her adorable son, Gus.
- "This Is Us" has been a pivotal chapter in Mandy's career, and she cherishes the growth she has witnessed in her co-stars.
- The emotional intensity of the penultimate episode and the uplifting tone of the finale make for a powerful conclusion.
- Filming scenes for the finale three years ago showcases the intricate and non-linear storytelling of the show.
- Mandy and Milo Ventimiglia took sentimental items from the set to preserve the memories of their time on "This Is Us."
- Portraying the matriarch of the Pearson family has been a challenging and rewarding experience for Mandy.
- The gratitude and admiration Mandy has for the show's creator, Dan Fogelman, is evident in her words.
- Holding sentimental value, the last two episodes of "This Is Us" will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on both the cast and the audience.
