Emmys 2017: Mandy Moore's This Is Us snub hurts the most

As Rebecca Pearson on ‘This Is Us,’ Mandy Moore delivers a show-stopping performance through multiple phases of a woman’s life. But the actress was shut out of the Emmys — and for shame.

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For the better part of two decades, I have been a ride-or-die fan of Mandy Moore. I have watched her grow from a teenage pop star to a leading woman, from a bleach blonde antagonist in The Princess Diaries to a brunette matriarch in This Is Us. Through every hair color, album, movie, and tabloid headline, I have always championed Moore’s talent as a performer, never more so than for her Emmy-caliber work on the breakout NBC smash.

However, when the Emmys announced the list nominees, Mandy Moore’s name was noticeably absent from both the Outstanding Lead and Supporting Actress in a Drama Series races. For either category, Moore was and is an undeniable shoo-in, alongside the whole lot of her castmates who were recognized for their roles on This Is Us. Come on, Academy. You had one job. Whether I’m a fan of hers or not, it can’t be denied that Rebecca’s tumultuous journey through motherhood was one of the most pressing stories told on television in the past year. Bottom line: Mandy Moore deserved to be nominated for an Emmy.

Although it’s true that her lack of nomination doesn’t diminish her expert-level work, and with at least two more seasons of This Is Us coming down the pipeline, she still has a chance for recognition, the fact of the matter remains. Moore does career-best acting as Rebecca Pearson. Yes, we’ll never forget her original sob-fest role in A Walk to Remember, but as a wife and mother swimming upstream against immense pressure and strife, she positively shines.

This Is Us, as a primetime family drama on one of the “big five” broadcast networks, defied the odds when it became fall’s No. 1 new entry and a consistent ratings juggernaut. A family drama, without antiheroes or superheroes, broke big in 2017 — it’s a relative miracle. Who could believe that in this era of glossy episodics a series about an average American family could pierce the mainstream so wholeheartedly. What’s more, who could believe it’s anchored by the criminally, severely, tragically underrated talent of Mandy Moore?

THIS IS US — “The Right Thing to Do” Episode 111 — Pictured: Mandy Moore as Rebecca Pearson — (Photo by: Ron Batzdorff/NBC) /

Not to discredit the amazing work of the remainder of This Is Us’ incredible cast, but Moore’s demanding role as Rebecca spans decades. She has played Rebecca as an ambitious young woman, a pregnant woman, a new mother, a grieving mother, a 40-something housewife, and a grandmother. And for each iteration of the character, Moore creates a distinct, visceral experience as she weaves in and out of the seasons of Rebecca’s womanhood. Those dramatic acrobatics can’t be pulled off by just anyone, you know.

I’m to believe there isn’t a weird conspiracy theory afoot here regarding name recognition and the stigma of teen stardom? I’m to believe that the drama actress category couldn’t have been expanded to seven nominees as the comedy race had been? I’m to believe that the monologue in the episode clip below didn’t sway Emmy voters into throwing Mandy Moore’s name in the hat? Believe you me, Emmy voters. Moore could break your heart any day of the week — and she will in Seasons 2 and 3 of This Is Us.

Next: Here's a complete list of all the Emmy nominations 'This Is Us' earned

It’s simply not fair that an enormous talent who has been perpetually caught in the shadows of bigger names couldn’t claim her moment in the sun. As a young pop star, the Britneys and Christinas of the pack ruled the charts, while Moore’s equally catchy singles hit a niche audience. Once again, she’s been overlooked in favor of her peers. What does Mandy Moore, the multi-hyphenate we clearly don’t deserve, have to do to finally revel in the respect she has earned?

This Is Us returns for Season 2 on Tuesday, September 26 at 9/8c on NBC.

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Mandy Moore was snubbed at the Emmys, and it’s just not fair

By Reed Gaudens | Jul 13, 2017

As Rebecca Pearson on ‘This Is Us,’ Mandy Moore delivers a show-stopping performance through multiple phases of a woman’s life. But the actress was shut out of the Emmys — and for shame.