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!