Mandy Moore to "Rock the Mall" in Washington

(CBS News) Mandy Moore wasn't always self-confident. Believe it or not, the singer-actress admits there was a time when she didn't always feel like she fit in.

Moore's mother helped her to see the world a little differently.

"Growing up, I had this big growth spurt," Moore told CBSNews.com. "My mom is 5' 2" and I'm 5' 10". I used to feel really uncomfortable and awkward in my body with my height. I would hunch over. My mom was always a great reminder, saying, 'You should stand tall with your shoulders back. You should be proud of your height. It's an attribute. I promise you, that you will come to love and enjoy as you get older.'"

"And she was right," Moore said.

Moore started releasing albums as a teenager, touring with *NSYNC and later landing roles in "The Princess Diaries" and "A Walk to Remember."

All along, her parents were by her side, going on the road while Moore performed all over the country.

"I think the foundation starts with your parents, and I was lucky that my parents and my mom specifically," said Moore, born Amanda Leigh Moore.  "I had my mom around at a time where you would be rebelling from your parents."

Moore's mom became her ultimate role model.

The "License to Wed" star is trying to help other women realize their self-worth by joining the "Dove Movement for Self-Esteem" campaign.

On Saturday, Moore will take part in the Girl Scouts' "Rock the Mall" event on the National Mall in Washington. She'll introduce four "real women" role models, who range from a mathematician to a molecular biologist.

"I genuinely love the idea of role models being real women -- and real women who are attainable in girls' lives, ... be it a teacher or their parents, or a coach or a doctor," Moore said. "Women that exist in girls' lives that can help guide them in the right direction, either for advice or influence."

Now 28, Moore has become a role model in her own right. But when asked about being a celebrity role model, Moore almost sounded a little uncomfortable with the title.

"Being considered a role model is incredibly humbling, and it's a position that that I've always derived incredible satisfaction from -- if someone were to consider to me be that," Moore said. "It's not something I take lightly. I very much respect the fact that I've been afforded this incredible opportunity. You don't want to let people down."