Born in Los
Angeles, California in 1981, Rachelle Jade Bilson was always
treated like a princess. Her older brothers and parents
spoiled her from birth and she grew up quite comfortably as
a result. She had a natural flair for dramatics even before
hitting the stage or standing in front of a camera.
Her family encouraged her to put her attitude to use by becoming
an actress and so, when she was 7 years old, her parents
helped their daughter land her first role in the film, The
Wrong Guys, with comedian Louie Anderson. Rachel continued
to audition for roles during her early years at Notre Dame
High School. Through the recommendation of a close friend,
she received a part in the seven-episode miniseries, Human
Target. The role was small, but it helped Bilson realize
that acting was something she wanted to do full-time.
Following graduation, she pursued this new passion and hired
an agent, who helped get her foot in the door.
Rachel Bilson's first high-profile gig was on stage, in a
production of Bye Bye Birdie. She figured prominently in the
play and used the experience as a launching pad for two more
theatrical productions: The Crucible and Once Upon a
Mattress. She had landed a solid role on a fantasy series
called It's True in 1998, but the show never took off
because CBS couldn't find the financing to air it. Despite
this letdown, Bilson continued to plug away and starred in a
television commercial for Subway before finally coming into
her own. Bilson reached new heights in 2003, she appeared in
an episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and 8 Simple Rules...
for Dating My Teenage Daughter before landing the lead role
in a short film called Unbroken.
Thanks to this exposure, Bilson was invited to attend an
audition for FOX's potential new hit, The O.C. The show was
aiming to target the same audience as previously successful
shows like Beverly Hills, 90210 and Melrose Place. This was
perfectly in line with Bilson's capabilities, whose youthful,
vibrant personality and sexy look impressed the producers of
The O.C.. They cast her as Summer Roberts, best friend of
Marissa Cooper (played by Mischa Barton) and spoiled beauty
who personifies the "Valley Girl" stereotype. Since the
show's smashing debut in the summer of 2003, Bilson has
become a much-talked about new star and has been featured in
such magazines as Zink, Stuff, CosmoGirl, and YM. Rachel and
co-star Adam Brody play cute couple Summer and Seth on The
O.C., but rumors are flying that they're dating off-screen
as well. Although they repeatedly deny any romantic
attachment, they've been spotted together all around town,
shopping in LA's trendy districts, hitting the clubs, and
having major make-out sessions!
