Welcome back to our occasional feature for swimfanning over our celebrity faves! Earlier this week, The CW’s Crazy Ex-Girlfriend concluded its stellar first season. Which means we’re way overdue to gush over its star and co-creator, the hilarious and talented Rachel Bloom!
Biographical Details:
Fake Girlfriend Name: Rachel Leah Bloom
Name says: A cute moniker that fits your bubbly BFF! The name Rachel was at its most popular during the ’80s and the ’90s, so chances are that you know at least one lady of a certain age with this name. (If not: well, I’m introducing you to Rachel Bloom right now, so problem solved!)
Date of Birth: April 3, 1987
Age says: Belated happy birthday, new fake best friend! And omg, she’s only 29 and she’s already accomplished so much. HASHTAG BOSS.
Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California
Birthplace says: Ahh, L.A.! The City of Angels! Tinseltown! The… Big Orange? Like, really? Who actually calls it that? (Ohhh, it’s a play on the Big Apple? Still doesn’t make it any better.) I haven’t been to L.A. in a long time, although it’s on my vacay shortlist because of the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter [Edit 2022/08/26: lol never mind.] and seeing Alex Trebek on Jeopardy! before he eventually retires. The first thing that comes to mind about growing up in L.A. is the reality show Laguna Beach — especially shameful, since The O.C. is also right there — which is to say, I know nothing about an average L.A. upbringing.
Educational Background: Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts
Education says: Your lady is in fine company among Tisch alumni, incl. fellow CW leading lady, Gina Rodriguez; Philip Seymour Hoffman (RIP); Donald Glover (TROY!); Adam Sandler (wait, what?); and former New Fake Boyfriend, Miles Teller. During her time in college, Rachel was also active in musical theatre and sketch comedy groups. Probably time well spent, considering her career trajectory.
Where You Have Seen Her:
After starting out at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater (aka comedy Disneyland), Rachel became internet famous with her earworm-y “Fuck Me, Ray Bradbury” (“The greatest sci-fi writer in history…!”) — which even won a freaking Hugo award!
Several music videos and writing credits later, Rachel and co-creator Aline Brosh McKenna developed the musical rom-com delight known as Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.
Where You’ll See Her Next:
Season 2 of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend! As previously mentioned, Season 1 just ended, but there are already have new storylines brewing, BLESS.
And, rest assured, Aline and I already have a structure for season 2. #CrazyExGirlfriend #whatishiatus— Rachel Bloom (@Racheldoesstuff) April 19, 2016
Why You’ll Adore Her:
If it wasn’t obvious by now, Rachel knows her way around catchy and funny songs, as evident by her Youtube channel. (Although obvs, the Crazy Ex-Girlfriend videos may contain spoilers if you’re not caught up with the show.)
Circumstantial Evidence:
Like when she catches “Jazz Fever”, and the only prescription is more cowbell — well, you’ll see.
And when she debunks glamourous fairy tales with a “Historically Accurate Disney Princess Song”.
Your new bestie has you covered for a breakup ballad.
She’s also plenty aware of — there’s no delicate way to put this — her spectacular breasts. (They also have their own song in Crazy Ex-Girlfriend!)
And I haven’t even gotten back to the show yet! Now, if you’re still finding the title and/or the premise of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend off-putting, just remember that the situation’s a lot more nuanced than that.
For a show with fantastical musical numbers in each episode, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is actually unafraid to get painfully real. There might be moments that’ll make you cringe, but just know that there’s a team of super smart writers that knows exactly what it’s doing, deftly exploring themes like depression, feminism, love, and sexuality without ever feeling like a preachy after-school special. (Shout-outs for the rare Asian male romantic lead and representation of bisexuality, as well as the first* Filipino-American family on TV!)
*YAY but also omg it’s 2016; why did it take this long?!
Of course, the show is also extremely funny. Even if you’re not into musicals (YOU MONSTER), there might be enough LOLs for you to stick around. Here’s a small sample of Rachel’s Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice Television Award-winning work.
- Check out the ode to her date night ritual — which she once performed live with her co-stars, Donna Lynne Champlin (Paula), Pete Gardner (Darryl), and Vincent Rodriguez III (Josh)!
- Not only do these songs bring the laughter, but sometimes they’re quite informative. (“Most people don’t know about the window!”)
- And fortunately for us, Rachel might be cool with being our newfound obsession. At the very least, we’ve apparently got a ways to go before crossing a line.
How ’bout it, y’all? Are you in love with Rachel Bloom yet? Have you watched Crazy Ex-Girlfriend? Which songs are your favourites? (My most recent fave is def. “Oh My God I Think I Like You”. (Again: spoilers!)) Come chat with me about CEG and Rachel in the comments!
