Life

Marie Louise McConville: Mandy Moore should be applauded for bravely speaking out about escaping an unhealthy marriage

Actress Mandy Moore spoke out this week about her marriage to Ryan Adams
Actress Mandy Moore spoke out this week about her marriage to Ryan Adams Actress Mandy Moore spoke out this week about her marriage to Ryan Adams

Life is never what it seems, is it?

We can look at people, at other people's relationships and sometimes we feel a twang of the green-eyed monster because it looks so perfect, but as I've learned as I've got older, when their front doors close, no-one really knows what goes on.

I was really saddened this week to read comments from wonderful US actress, Mandy Moore, who will known to most of you as Rebecca Pearson in the fantastic NBC family drama This Is Us.

A beautiful and talented actress and a great musician to boot, the 34-year-old this week revealed that she escaped an 'unhealthy' marriage.

Looking at her now and looking back over her career, all the great movies she has made in which she pulled off smooth, talented performances, it's hard to believe that Mandy was able to function but like a duck she obviously worked hard to stay calm on the surface, while paddling furiously underneath just to survive.

Last week, the New York Times published an article about sexual misconduct allegations against US musician Ryan Adams.

A number of women came forward to talk about the singer's "psychologically abusive" and "emotionally abusive" behaviour, which Adams has denied.

In the aftermath of the article, Ryan Adams' ex-wife Mandy Moore bravely spoke out about her own experience of being married to the singer for seven years, revealing how she felt like she was "drowning".

"I was living my life for him. I had no sense of self"," she said.

The actress said Adams was so "dependent" on her, she couldn't work as much as she had wanted.

"His controlling behavior essentially did block my ability to make new connections in the industry during a very pivotal and potentially lucrative time - my entire mid-to-late twenties".

She also said: ''I was so sad. I was so lonely with him.''

What an awful experience it must have been for her and she should be applauded for bravely speaking out.

I think it can make a real impact when somebody in the public eye talks about something they have gone through, and in this instance Mandy's experience just goes to show the damage caused by controlling behaviour and can happen to anyone, no matter who they are.

Hopefully, it may resonate with someone in a similar position and help them find a way out.

Well done Mandy.

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The first official teaser trailer for Frozen II has finally been released and it looks fabulous.

More than five years after the original was released, our favourite quintet - Elsa, Anna, Kristoff and Olaf - are returning for a new adventure.

In the short, dramatic clip, we see Elsa using her powers to battle with the sea while Anna and her pals face their own showdowns.

Unfortunately, we will have to wait until November to see the full movie and hear any new music, but will anything top Let It Go?

We will have to wait and see.

The countdown is on.

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Competition

Spring is on the horizon so how about a "stunning debut thriller" to keep you entertained while the dark nights begin to turn.

Into The Night by Sarah Bailey has been described as a book that "will keep you racing towards the end".

Senior Detective Gemma Woodstock is a small town policewoman working on the biggest homicide cases in Melbourne.

When an up-and-coming movie star is stabbed to death while the cameras are rolling on his new blockbuster, Gemma, eager to prove herself, is assigned to the case.

With the whole thing caught from multiple angles, how hard can it be to catch the crazed culprit?

And who would want to hurt Australia’s adored boy-next-door?

As Gemma uncovers the deadly underside of fame, her investigation turns into a dangerous game against those with money, power and everything to lose.

I have five copies of Into The Night to give away.

If you fancy winning a copy, simply email your name, address and telephone number – along with the answer to the question below – to competitions@irishnews.com

Closing date for entries is 12 noon on Tuesday, February 26, 2019.

(Q) Who wrote Into The Night?

Normal Irish News Rules Apply

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The winners of the Asda vegan beauty competition are Patrick Higgins, from Belfast, Joanne Crothers, from Belfast, and Ann McVeigh, from Castlewellan.