RACHEL PLATTEN A Newly Minted Pop Star’s Fight to The Top

HOW AN INTERNATIONAL-RELATIONS MAJOR BECAME PALS WITH TAYLOR SWIFT AND RELEASED THIS SUMMER’S UNSTOPPABLE SMASH “FIGHT SONG”

26 | EW.COM Month 00, 2013 into music. In the early ’00s, she studied international relations at Trinity College in Connecticut, with hopes of becoming a diplomat. “I’ve always wanted to bring people together,” she says. But while interning for a record label in Trinidad in 2002, she caught the music bug after * pinch-hitting as a backup singer in front of 80,000 Carnival-goers. The high from performing led Platten to New York City, where she penned songs in an apartment building once occupied by Bob Dylan in the ’60s. “I used to write in my journal, ‘Bob, give me something!’ ” Platten says. At night she played with two cover bands she’d found on Craigslist. Frustrated with those gigs, she created an email address for a phony agent who per- suaded bookers to schedule her for minor WHEN TAYLOR SWIFT SENDS YOU A TEXT, YOU PAY ATTENTION—AND tours. “It was a lot of sports bars, coffee quickly add her number to your contacts list. Rachel Platten got shops, and one very empty bar in Philly,” that surprise message after meeting the superstar at her June 6 she says. “Nine people showed up!” Pittsburgh concert, where Platten, 34, was performing at a tail- Her determination paid off—eventually. gate event. A week later they were duetting on Platten’s smash In 2011 Platten’s track “1,000 Ships,” which single “Fight Song” in front of 50,000 shrieking fans and Swift was she calls “the little record that could,” sharing videos with her 34.7 million Instagram followers of the two inched up the adult-contemporary charts. hanging backstage. Over tea in Beverly Hills recently, Platten is But after it peaked at No. 24, once-interested jubilant but poised talking about that whirlwind experience. “I got major labels backed off. “It was one of the a lot of Instagram followers,” she says. “But I’m not that obsessed darkest periods I’ve gone through,” she with checking. What I care about are the stories from fans, says. Her anxiety swelled further when because that’s really been the explosion.” she considered starting over in an age- Platten’s admirers are double-tapping for more than just her phobic industry. “I was 29 and I thought, photos. Since the release of “Fight Song” in 2014, the Massa­ ‘This is done.’ In this [business] there’s no chusetts native has become one of the freshest new pop singers pop artist that can make it past 30.” this year. The track, with its David vs. Goliath message of Swift obviously disagrees, as do major survival, has popped up everywhere from TV shows like Pretty labels now. This year Platten signed with Little Liars and Supergirl to a national ad campaign for Ford. And Columbia and is prepping her debut album. * this month it rocketed to the top of the iTunes chart. Platten In July she’ll hit the road with Colbie Caillat believes the reason for the song’s success is simple: “It’s an and Christina Perri. And while playing with THE empowerment anthem. A woman who had cancer sent an email Swift was a nice career boost, Platten SWIFT EFFECT to her family [saying], ‘I have three months to live, but I don’t knows she has the bona fides herself. “With Platten isn’t want you to be sad. I want you to know this is how I feel, and this Taylor, it was a surreal moment: ‘Oh my the only singer whose profile has song is my anthem.’” gosh, I’m actually here!’ But also feelings been raised by While “Fight Song” might be an inspiration for underdogs, like ‘Oh my gosh, I think maybe I deserve to Taylor Swift Platten says it was based on her decadelong attempt to break be here.’” —Marc Snetiker

Echosmith Børns Kelsea Ballerini Serayah Hailee Steinfeld

After the group Swift tweeted Swift has also voiced She’s Tiana on The Pitch Perfect 2 joined Swift on stage, her seal of approval her love for this Empire, but Swift fans actress inked a their single “Bright” and helped the rising country star, who know the singer major-label deal after started climbing the songwriter hit No. 22 first met Tay-Tay as Dilemma in the also appearing in Hot 100. on the charts. at a meet and greet. “Bad Blood” video. “Bad Blood.”

PLATTEN: SHANE MACAULEY; WITH SWIFT: DIMITRIOS KAMBOURIS/GETTY IMAGES July 3, 2015 EW.COM | 27 © Entertainment Weekly Inc. 2015. All rights reserved. No part of this material may be duplicated or redisseminated without permission.