Rising star Rachel Stubington may be new to the spotlight, but she’s already making waves with her standout role in Apple TV’s “Shrinking.” Get to know this talented young actress beyond her on-screen character. From her Jewish upbringing in LA to her passion for comedy and advocacy for mental health, Rachel is much more than meets the eye. Learn about her inspirations, career journey, dream collaborations, and more in this glimpse into the life of one of Hollywood’s most promising breakout talents. Whether you’re already a fan or just discovering Rachel, here are 10 fascinating facts about this multi-faceted performer.
1. Rachel was born in California.
Rachel Stubington was born on 22 June 2000 in Los Angeles. Rachel comes from a loving Jewish family and is deeply connected to her roots. She has fond memories of attending the Hess Kramer Jewish overnight camp and participating in her congregation’s Cantorial training program.
Rachel’s strong bond with her family, especially her Jewish roots, plays a significant role in her life. She’s in a relationship with a childhood friend from her Jewish High School, and interestingly, her partner’s father is a Rabbi.
2. Jealousy sparked her insterest in acting.
Rachel’s initial inspiration to become an actor came from watching “Corey in the House” on the Disney channel and the musical “Annie” with her Nana. Seeing kids her age performing made her envious and sparked her interest in acting.
Rachel’s passion for acting was fueled by her love for attention. From singing during High Holidays to performing in school talent shows, she always knew she was destined for comedy.
She has been auditioning since she was twelve. The journey was filled with many rejections, but her perseverance finally paid off with her role in “Shrinking.”
3. She graduated from UCLA.
Rachel graduated from UCLA where she majored in theater with an emphasis on acting. Her experiences at UCLA, both within and outside the formal curriculum, played a significant role in shaping her acting career.
Outside of her formal education, Rachel was part of a comedy group at UCLA. This experience helped her approach her auditions with a sense of fun, making her performances more authentic.
4. Rachel is a standout in the new Apple TV show “Shrinking”.
Rachel is a standout in the new Apple TV show, ‘Shrinking,’ where she stars alongside industry giants Jason Segel and Harrison Ford.
She plays Summer, a high schooler trying to pull her grieving friend Alice out of her shell. The character showcases a strong female friendship, which Rachel enjoyed portraying. Her character is often seen as the “bad influence”, always encouraging her friend Alice to attend high school parties and live a little.
The show was created by Bill Lawrence, Jason Segel and Brett Goldstein; and stars Segel as a grieving therapist who decides to become drastically more involved in the lives of his patients. The cast also includes Jessica Williams, Christa Miller, Michael Urie, Luke Tennie and Lukita Maxwell.
5. Rachel loves “The Muppet Movie”
Rachel has a deep affection for “The Muppet Movie” and has watched Jason Segel in it countless times. Working alongside him and Harrison Ford in “Shrinking” was a dream come true for her.
6. Rachel also stars in a movie titled “A Rose For Her Grave”
In this Lifetime movie, Rachel plays a young girl who becomes a target for a man who marries women and then kills them for their money. To prepare for this dark role, Rachel watched documentaries on grooming and predatory relationships.
The movie is based on a real-life crime story about serial killer Randy Roth.
7. Rachel has a deep love for comedy
Inspired by movies like “Stepbrothers”, she’s also started writing sketches, fake episodes, and even pilots.
She is a huge fan of “Saturday Night Live” and her favorite alumni is Kristen Wiig. She also loves the sketches “High School Theatre Show” and “I am Your Mother.”
Rachel looks up to comedic talents like Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Mindy Kaling. She even humorously mentioned that she might not have gotten into Dartmouth because she expressed her desire to attend solely because Mindy Kaling did.
She hopes to be part of Kaling’s show “Sex Lives of College Girls”, and the upcoming “Mean Girls” movie.
8. Rachel she shares updates about her projects and personal moments on Instagram.
While Rachel admits she’s most comfortable with Instagram, she’s trying to expand her presence on other platforms. She values the connection with her fans and often checks for their reactions to her work.
Rachel admits to frequently checking social media for mentions of ‘Shrinking’ and her name. She’s curious about fan reactions and is eager to see how her character is received.
9. Rachel has worked with Alicia Silverstone
Rachel had the chance to work in a commercial with Alicia Silverstone, an actress she greatly admires. She even has pictures of Alicia on her desk, which she believes helped manifest their collaboration.
10. Rachel is a mental health advocate
Rachel appreciates ‘Shrinking’ for its humorous take on serious topics like mental health. She believes in breaking the stigma around mental health and has been open about her own therapy experiences.
She believes in the importance of discussing mental health openly.