Mandy Moore Pulls Out of "Pulling" Pilot: "Candy" Singer Exits ABC Comedy After her Character is Taken in "Different Direction"

Singer/actress Mandy Moore pulled out of her leading role on ABC's "Pulling" pilot Saturday. According to Deadline, the "Candy" songstress was the first actor cast in a major role on the "single-camera" comedy, but once Moore learned that her character would be taken in a "different direction," she exited "Pulling."

"The project, from Bad Teacher producers Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky, is about three dysfunctional women in their 30s who live life the way they want, even if society tells them they should have it all figured out by now," TV Guide reported. It is based on the praised 2006 British series, also entitled "Pulling."

Actress June Diane Raphael was cast as the lead in "Pulling" and supporting actors were soon added to the project. Apparently those castings "changed the dynamic, and Moore's character evolved, leading to Moore's exit," reports UPI.

Moore was slated to play Louise, an optimistic woman who is desperate to get married, reports TV Guide. She was the first person cast for the pilot, but after the rest of the cast fell into place, "Louise" developed in new ways and Moore was reportedly unhappy with the changes.

The A Walk to Remember actress seemed to have no hard feelings as she walked off of the pilot's set.

"Many things change quickly as a pilot moves into production. And in this case, Lee and Gene moved the character in a different direction, it was clear this wasn't right for me. Rather than jeopardize the show, I asked to step aside. They and ABC were very accommodating, and wish them all the best in the fall. It's a terrific show that worked so well in the UK, I hope it gets the audience it deserves here."

"Pulling" producers commented on Moore pulling out of the role with, "Mandy is a pro, and has been very patient and accommodating with us. As we moved closer to production, it was clear we needed to go in a different direction for the character, and Mandy agreed to do what was best for the show. She's an immensely gifted actress and we hope to have the pleasure of working with her again."

According to the Deadline report, ABC has been very "high" on Moore. The network produced a comedy pilot starring the actress last season and earlier this season bought a Rich Appel comedy project she was attached to with a put pilot commitment.

Mandy Moore entered into the public spotlight at the age of 15 with her hit pop song "Candy." In 1999, she hit the road to open for 'N Sync on a sold-out summer concert tour, during which she promoted her sweet single in anticipation of her debut album, People states. She released her first album, So Real, which went platinum. A year later, some of the tracks were reworked and added with new songs for a more mature sound on her second platinum album I Wanna Be With You.

The starlet made her first acting debut in The Princess Diaries, alongside Anne Hathaway, as the mean popular girl "Lana." In 2002 Moore won an MTV Movie Award for Breakout Female Performance for her role in A Walk to Remember. Other movie appearances included Chasing Liberty, Saved!, Because I Said So, License to Wed, and Tangled.

Hopefully there is "moore" in store for this actress/singer in the future. In the meantime, ABC will be "missing you like candy" Mandy.