Rachel Marsh: From Viral K‑Pop Parody to Romantic‑Comedy Breakout

“I love anytime women are funny,” Rachel Marsh says with a grin, and that sentiment has been the through‑line of a surprisingly busy few months for the 34‑year‑old actress.

First, a quirky cameo as Carly on FX’s cult‑hit series Adults went viral when the show turned her into a fake K‑pop star. The scene, a tongue‑in‑cheek music‑video for the made‑up track “Hiccups (Body Go Crazy),” sparked a wave of memes, TikTok duets and an earnest plea from Marsh to get the song on streaming services.

“When the co‑creator asked if I’d be comfortable playing a K‑pop star, I actually got chills,” she recalls, laughing. “It felt like a dream I’d never imagined having.” The moment even earned her a cameo direction from former SNL video chief Paul Briganti, who encouraged Marsh to make the most of the “stupidest hand moves.”

While the K‑pop parody gave Marsh a burst of online fame, the real breakthrough is coming from the romantic‑comedy realm. Prime Video is adapting Ali Hazelwood’s bestseller The Love Hypothesis, and Marsh lands the role of Anh—a grad‑student and steadfast best friend to Olive, played by Lili Reinhart.

“She is important in this story,” Marsh tells The Hollywood Reporter in a recent Zoom. “She’s also funny.” The chemistry between Marsh and Reinhart, forged over a summer shoot in Montreal, became the emotional spine of the adaptation, mirroring the novel’s emphasis on friendship as the engine of romance.

“Building that trust was pretty easy. Lili is so amazing, so sweet, and an incredible scene partner,” Marsh adds. Their off‑screen camaraderie bled onto the screen, giving the film a genuine, low‑key warmth that fans of the book will recognize.

Before the role, Marsh hadn’t actually read the novel—its ubiquitous presence in airport bookstands and bestseller lists simply caught her eye. “I saw the cover, added it to my TBR list, and then the script landed in my lap,” she says. “Because I hadn’t formed any pre‑conceptions, I could discover the little echoes between the book and the screenplay on set, which was a real honor.”

The actress also notes the nervous excitement that comes with a fan screening. “The first batch of viewers loved it, and I’m buzzing for the official release on the 23rd,” Marsh admits, eyes alight with anticipation.

Between the viral K‑pop clip, a growing fan base, and a looming rom‑com premiere, Marsh feels the momentum pulling her forward. “It’s fun, this waiting period,” she says. “I get to enjoy the hype, and I’m just grateful that more people are getting to see women being funny, goofy, and heartfelt all at once.”