Rachel Platten is an American singer-songwriter and author whose empowering anthem “Fight Song” became a global chart-topper, setting the tone for her soulful pop career and inspiring millions.
Who is Rachel Platten?
Rachel Ashley Platten was born on May 20, 1981, in New York City and raised in Newton Centre, Massachusetts, the daughter of Paul and Pamela Platten.
She began classical piano lessons at age five and learned guitar in high school. Attending Buckingham Browne & Nichols, she performed in the school’s singing group.
Platten earned a BA in international relations from Trinity College, where she joined the all-female a cappella group Trinitones.
While studying abroad in Trinidad in 2002, she sang backup for a friend’s band at the International Soca Monarch finals in front of 80,000 people, a pivotal moment that compelled her to pursue music full-time.
Career
Rachel Platten’s journey spans from independent recordings to breakout mainstream success, marked by songs that resonate with resilience and hope.
She released two independent albums, Trust in Me (2003) and Be Here (2011), before signing with Columbia Records in 2015, launching her major-label debut with the empowering single “Fight Song.”
It soared to number six on the Billboard Hot 100, reached number one in the UK, and placed in the top ten across several countries. The track sold multi-platinum and earned her a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Musical Performance.
Following its impact, Platten released her album Wildfire (2016), which debuted at number five on the Billboard 200 and was certified gold by the RIAA. It spawned follow-up singles like “Stand by You” and “Better Place.”
She toured nationally, supporting acts such as Alex & Sierra, Andy Grammer, Colbie Caillat, and Christina Perri, and extended her reach with a headlining Wildfire Tour.
Her fourth studio album, Waves (2017), featured the single “Broken Glass,” and she performed it on Good Morning America and at Miss Universe.
In 2024, after a seven-year hiatus, Rachel released her fifth album, I Am Rachel Platten, on her own Violet Records.
She described it as “medicine I needed in the darkest moments of my life,” confronting themes like mental health struggles, postpartum depression, and her transition away from a major label.
Beyond her music, Platten appeared in an Aerie advertising campaign featuring unretouched photos and graced the cover of The Improper Bostonian in May 2018.
She actively supports philanthropy, especially through Musicians On Call, performing bedside for hospital patients over 50 times.
She received the Music Heals Award in 2015 for her service and performed at the Global Down Syndrome Foundation’s virtual fashion show in 2020.
Her artistry is defined by emotional honesty, advocacy through music, and an unwavering belief in the power of songs to heal and empower.
Personal Life
Rachel Platten is a mother of two, though her specific details, like marriage or the children’s names, are unavailable. She grew up in a Jewish household and remains connected to her faith.
Throughout her career, she’s maintained a grounded, thoughtful public image, choosing to share personal struggles and resilience through her music rather than spotlight her private life.
Net Worth
Estimates place Rachel Platten’s net worth at $9 million, reflecting her chart-topping success with hits like “Fight Song”, her gold-certified album Wildfire, and a steady career as a respected singer-songwriter.
