Children’s entertainer Ms. Rachel is responding to criticism after a controversial comment was briefly liked on her social media account, sparking widespread discussion online.
Rachel Accurso, known to millions of families as Ms. Rachel, came under scrutiny after screenshots showed her account had liked a comment that read, “Free America from the Jews.” The comment appeared beneath a now-deleted post on her Instagram page that included the message “Free Palestine, Free Sudan, Free Congo, Free Iran.”
The interaction quickly gained attention, leading many to question whether the like reflected her views.
Explanation Behind the Liked Comment
Shortly after the screenshots began circulating, Accurso addressed the situation by sharing a screenshot of a private exchange with a follower. In the message, she explained that she believed she had deleted the comment as soon as she saw it.
“I believe I deleted that earlier right when I saw it,” she wrote. “I hate antisemitism.”
She later clarified that the like was unintentional and occurred while she was attempting to remove the comment. In a caption accompanying the screenshot, Accurso said the action was the result of a mistake and not an endorsement of the message.
“I’m super sorry for any confusion it caused,” she wrote. “I delete antisemitism ANY time I see it. I am against all forms of hate including antisemitism against the Jewish people.”
Follow-Up Response and Apology
Accurso continued to address the situation in a follow-up post on Threads, where she explained that the incident happened during a moment of emotional exhaustion. She added that she planned to stop engaging with comments altogether moving forward.
She later posted a video message on Instagram, appearing emotional as she spoke directly to viewers. In the video, she said she is human and capable of making mistakes, explaining that she may have accidentally liked the comment while trying to remove it.
“Everyone who knows me knows that I would never like that,” she said.
Statement From Her Team
A statement released on Accurso’s behalf reiterated that the incident was accidental. The message emphasized that she does not support hateful language of any kind and that her values center on kindness and inclusion.
The statement explained that while attempting to delete the comment, she mistakenly interacted with it instead. It also stressed that antisemitism has no place in her work or personal beliefs and that she remains committed to promoting compassion and understanding.
Advocacy Work and Public Response
Accurso has become one of the most recognizable figures in children’s education through her “Ms. Rachel for Littles” videos, which have earned her millions of followers. She has also used her platform to speak openly about humanitarian issues, particularly the treatment of Palestinian children.
Her advocacy has drawn both support and criticism. She has previously said she feels a responsibility to speak out and has partnered with organizations focused on children’s welfare. At the same time, her comments have made her a target of online backlash, including accusations from pro-Israel groups.
Earlier this year, an advocacy organization called on authorities to investigate whether she was being influenced by outside funding. Accurso denied the claim and stated that her views stem from empathy rather than political motivations.
“I believe that all children have fundamental human rights,” she said. “There’s never a reason to deny them those rights. When we take care of children and allow them to reach their full potential, that’s the right thing to do.”
