After releasing two albums independently in 2003 and 2011, she signed with Columbia Records in 2015 and released her mainstream debut single, "Fight Song", which peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the USA, topped charts in the UK and peaked within the top ten of multiple charts worldwide.

Rachel Platten won a Daytime Emmy Award for a live performance of the song on Good Morning America.

Her major-label debut studio album, Wildfire (2016), was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and featured the follow-up singles "Stand by You" and "Better Place".

Outside of music Rachel Platten appeared as a model in clothing brand Aerie's advertising campaign in photos that have not been retouched.

[6] The organization honored Rachel Platten for her volunteer work with Music Heals Award at a benefit event on December 1, 2015.

[20] She moved to New York City's Greenwich Village, recorded demos and performed in a Prince and Sly and the Family Stone cover band called Dayz of Wild.

[20] The theme song for ABC Family's Jane by Design, "Work of Art", was performed by Rachel Platten on hire.

[23][20] Her song "Begin Again" was used in Freeform's teen drama television series Pretty Little Liars' 100th episode, "Miss Me x 100".

On June 27, 2014 Rachel Platten debuted "Fight Song" on the social networking website We Heart It as part of an artist spotlight.

Rachel Platten served as a support act on Alex & Sierra's and Andy Grammer's "The Good Guys & A Girl Tour" in early 2015.

[43] From May to July 2019, Rachel Platten toured with a capella group Pentatonix as the opening act for their shows in North America.

Rachel Platten worked for nearly a decade playing cover performances and recording songs before gaining mainstream recognition as an artist.

[52][53] Rachel Platten's story and "Fight Song" has served as an inspiration for people around the world, who have used it as a motivation not to lose hope, when experiencing difficulties in life such as cancer, postpartum depression and unemployment.

[56] She wrote "Fight Song" at a low point, saying:[57]It was about my own journey and my own fire that would not die, that was regardless of how much rejections I was getting, and how impossible it seemed for me to keep trying to make this dream happen, that I just wouldn't give up.

That's where it came from.In January 2018, Rachel Platten appeared as a model in clothing brand Aerie's advertising campaign in photos that have not been retouched.

[3] Rachel Platten has supported numerous charities, including, Music Unites, Ryan Seacrest Foundation, Autism Speaks, Los Angeles LGBT Center, Memorial Sloan-Kettering, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, BuildOn and Live Below the Line.

[6] The organization honored Rachel Platten for her volunteer work with Music Heals Award at a benefit event on December 1, 2015.