I'm slightly controlling. I'm an Aries and I like things to have an order. I get slightly disturbed and I get slightly distressed and flustered if things go awry.

When I was first starting out in the music industry, I was always coupled in the same sentence with Jessica Simpson, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera - and I was probably the worst of them. I think a lot of people back then thought, 'Mandy Moore... she'll probably go back to where she came from in a year.'

I take advantage of the opportunities that have come my way. I think I've lucked out that I've never been thrust in the spotlight where people wanted to dissect every aspect of my life. I've been given a lot of distance and respect. It's allowed me the best of both worlds. I have the job of my dreams, but I also have the freedom that doesn't always come with it. I feel very lucky in that sense.

Having this other career in music made me work harder as an actress. It's made me more professional.

Developing a relationship with someone you admire, who can encourage you to reach your full potential, is something that everyone can benefit from.

It's weird to have to jump in to being married with somebody, but it was really easy.

When I started out in the industry I was 14 and a beanpole, but over the last few years I've grown. For the most part I feel pretty OK with how I look. I know I'm different from the typical Hollywood ideal of what is beautiful. But quite frankly I don't think that's attainable, and I'm happy to represent something different.