Ms. Rachel to Match Macklemore’s $1 Million Donation to Support Palestine: ‘I Invite Every Wealthy White Celebrity’ to Do the Same

Rachel Accurso, the children's YouTube sensation widely recognized as Ms. Rachel, has committed to personally matching a $1 million contribution to Palestinian humanitarian organizations that rapper Macklemore previously pledged. The announcement came via Accurso's Instagram account, shortly after she secured a streaming deal with Netflix. In her message, she directly addressed other entertainers, stating she would equal Macklemore's donation and urged "every wealthy white celebrity" to do the same and denounce what she described as genocide in Gaza. She highlighted the devastating toll on Palestinian children, noting that over 20,000 have lost their lives and that the violence continues unabated. According to Accurso, those with influence and resources bear a moral duty to safeguard children and human rights. Her stance carries unusual weight because her "Ms. Rachel" channel, which debuted in 2019, has drawn billions of views and established her as a trusted figure among families worldwide—making her forays into political territory particularly notable.

Accurso has become one of the entertainment industry's most outspoken voices on the Gaza conflict. Previously, she helped raise over $1 million for children in war-torn regions including Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan. Her support for Macklemore intensified after he was removed from Ed Sheeran's tour due to his on-stage "Free Palestine" remarks earlier this month. On September 16, Macklemore revealed he would donate his entire $1 million salary from the opening act to Palestinian aid groups. He claimed he was dropped after Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium and the New England Patriots, refused to host him because of his pro-Palestine stance. Macklemore further alleged that Kraft contacted other stadium owners to encourage similar bans, pressuring promoters to cut him from the tour. In an Instagram post, Macklemore wrote that he would give all his net earnings from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour to six organizations directly supporting Palestinians, and he invited Kraft to match the donation. "Whatever we disagree about, perhaps we can agree on this: Palestinian lives are worth protecting. A Palestinian life is no less valuable than any other life on this earth," he stated. Kraft responded by saying he and Sheeran would each donate $2 million to "aid in the region to fight this humanitarian crisis," though he did not specify which organizations would receive the funds. The Patriots, which Kraft has owned since 1994, rank among the NFL's most valuable franchises, and his philanthropic group, the Kraft Group, has previously backed initiatives in Israel—adding further weight to his involvement in this dispute.

Following Macklemore's removal, Sheeran issued a statement that drew significant criticism. He explained his reluctance to engage in political discourse, writing that choosing not to speak publicly does not mean he lacks opinions or compassion, nor does it mean he fails to support causes privately. Sheeran noted that his audience consists largely of young people and children who do not attend his concerts anticipating a political rally. While he praised Macklemore's conviction, Sheeran argued there is room for multiple paths toward the same goal: peace. He said he prefers to use his fame as a place of safety and sanctuary, maintaining diplomacy and keeping conversations open rather than shut down. "If we only focus on shouting the loudest, nothing will ever change," he wrote, adding that there are different ways to advocate for change. Accurso was among those who condemned Sheeran's position, posting that he had an opportunity to show that artists would not be bullied into punishing those who support Palestine, but instead he yielded to those who refuse to accept what the world knows—that a genocide is occurring in Gaza—and that everyone must speak out against it.

As a children's performer, Accurso has faced scrutiny for her political outspokenness in recent years. Earlier this year, she endorsed efforts to shut down the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in South Texas, where ICE detains children and their parents. In January, she became the focus of a social media controversy after apparently "liking" an antisemitic comment on Instagram. Accurso apologized, stating the action was accidental. In a statement to Variety at the time, she said she had unintentionally liked a hateful comment while trying to delete it, and reaffirmed that she does not support language targeting or harming the Jewish community or any community. She emphasized that antisemitism and hate have no place in her life or work, and that everything she does is rooted in kindness, inclusion, and care for all humanity—values she remains firmly committed to.