It has been an emotional month for Ms Rachel, to say the least.
To her young fans, Ms Rachel (Rachel Accurso) is the next generation’s Mister Rogers. With her sing-songy voice and sunny smile, Accurso has spent the last five years accruing 10 million followers on her Song’s For Littles YouTube Channel.
On June 1, Accurso swapped out her trademark pink-shirt-and-overalls combo for a rainbow top, and hopped on TikTok to celebrate Pride Month.
“Happy Pride to all of our wonderful families and friends,” Accurso said. “This month and every month I celebrate you! I’m so glad you’re here, I’m so glad you’re exactly who you are.”
Accurso was aware of the waves her video might create online, even as she was making it.
“To those who are going to comment they can’t watch the show anymore because of this support, no worries and much love your way, God bless,” Accurso continued in the same video. “I am not chasing fame or views, I’m standing strong in love.”
Many parents — regardless of sexual orientation or religious affiliation — replied positively and thanked her for sending out love.
“This two dad family loves you!” commented one TikTok user.
“My wife and I got married today and my parents weren’t there,” a commenter replied. “I needed to see your kindness today, thank you.”
“Catholic mama here and we just adore you,” another user chimed in.
But the video also received the very backlash Accurso anticipated. Daily Wire host Matt Walsh took to X, formerly Twitter, to voice his disapproval.
“This is a message to conservatives [sic] parents. She doesn’t want your business. You should respond accordingly,” Walsh told his base. Some X users in turn said they would boycott Ms Rachel’s content in their household.
On June 3, Accurso doubled down on her initial Pride Month post with a follow up video, this time referencing her faith.
“I’ve shared prayers on here before and said, ‘God bless, and that’s because my faith is really important to me. And it’s also one reason why I love every neighbor,” Accurso explained, going on to cite a passage from the New Testament of the Bible.
“In Matthew 22, a religious teacher asked Jesus, ‘what’s the most important commandment?’” Accurso said. “And Jesus says, ‘To love God and to love your neighbor as yourself. All the law and the prophets hang on these two commandments, there’s no greater commandments than these.’”
Accurso went on to emphasize that the refrain “love your neighbor” is mentioned “eight times” throughout the Bible.
“So, yes, everyone belongs, everyone is welcome, everyone is treated with empathy and respect. It doesn’t say love every neighbor ‘except,’” Accurso said.
“There are so many reasons I stand strong in love. I stand with everyone, that’s who I am. And the love back, and ‘God bless’ if you disagree, is genuine.”
Accurso has made headlines multiple times in the last month, as she’s used her platform to speak out about causes close to her heart.
On Mother’s Day — May 12 — Accurso launched a fundraising campaign “to children, for children” in which she pledged to film Cameos for children and donate all proceeds to Save The Children, a humanitarian relief organization aiding children in Gaza, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Ukraine.
Within mere hours, she raised $50,000.
Amidst praise and support, Accurso’s Save The Children fundraiser also provoked a flood of death threats and vitriol. On May 16, Accurso posted an incredibly vulnerable video on TikTok when she was in the throes of the backlash.
“The bullying is so bad, it’s so bad,” Accurso said through tears. “But I can handle this.”
That very same week, Accurso received the 2024 Dorothy Height Distinguished Alumni Award from NYU Steinhardt.
In an emotional speech, she encouraged the most recent class of NYU graduates to “keep showing up” and “taking action” in the world, even when they face obstacles.
“Believe that it’s possible to build something beautiful, where there has been destruction,” Accurso urged. “Believe that you can help where it seems hopeless, know that love is a transformative force that is stronger than any hate, fear, or injustice.”
Header photo courtesy of Ms Rachel/Facebook, Modified by Good Good Good
