Ms. Rachel may be a star, but she has bigger priorities than Hollywood.
The YouTuber and children's educator, whose real name is Rachel Accurso, revealed in a recent social media post that she turned down a meeting with a major celebrity because of their public inaction "during a genocide." Some social media users interpreted the post as a reference to the ongoing war in Gaza.
"Do you want to meet *insert huge celeb*? Me: No," Accurso wrote in an Instagram post Sunday, Oct. 4. "I don't fangirl over someone who is doing nothing during a genocide."
Accurso did not name the celebrity on her account or share additional details about the alleged meeting. USA TODAY has reached out to Ms. Rachel's representatives for comment.
Ms. Rachel divides social media with celebrity meeting comments
Several social media users
took to the comments section to praise Ms. Rachel for her political stance and call out other celebrities who have not spoken out on the Gaza war.
"Integrity 🔥" @lovelace_law wrote under the post. "How you do one thing is how you do everything."
"I believe the era of glorifying celebrities, their movies and their television shows has run its course," @candacelilias commented. "Instead, the new era belongs to 'ordinary' people who are quantifiably demonstrating the work of liberating and caring for others, as well as our environment."
"I fangirl over Ms. Rachel though," @illeshamarie wrote, while @art.of.resistance quipped, "Ms. Rachel keeps giving the class lessons ❤️"
"It's weird to me that people still love celebrities who have said absolutely nothing, not only about genocide, but fascism," @catsagainstgenocide commented.
However, some social media users on X reacted in mixed ways, with many questioning the sincerity of Accurso's remarks.
"She's so performative at this point," @Bex936 wrote on X.
"I guess people minding their own business isn't a good thing anymore," @ZaeHoF commented.
"What's she doing exactly?" @BfgGordie wrote.
Ms. Rachel post comes after YouTuber's Macklemore comments, $1M donation
The war in Gaza began after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of more than 1,000 foreign nationals and taking 251 hostages. Israel responded with a military campaign in Gaza. The war is part of the broader Israeli–Palestinian conflict, which includes longstanding disputes over Palestinian statehood, territory and security.
Amid the war, over 74,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza to date, the Gaza Health Ministry reported in September, according to The Associated Press. Several studies have previously stated the death toll is likely higher.
Ms. Rachel has been vocal in her support of the Palestinian people, including criticizing celebrities who've not spoken out on the issue.
After rapper Macklemore was removed from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour for pro-Palestine remarks he made onstage, the content creator slammed Sheeran for Macklemore's expulsion.
"Ed Sheeran had an opportunity [to] show that we won't be bullied into punishing people for supporting Palestine," Accurso wrote in a Sept. 14 Instagram post. "Instead, he caved to people who refuse to accept what the world knows. A genocide is happening in Gaza. We all need to speak out against it."
Days later, Ms. Rachel joined Macklemore in his philanthropic support for Palestine by announcing she would match the rapper's $1 million donation. Accurso said her contribution would benefit the Palestine Children's Relief Fund, a nonprofit that provides medical and humanitarian assistance to children in the region.
"We have a moral obligation to use our privilege and platforms to protect children and human rights," Accurso wrote on Instagram Sept. 17, urging "every wealthy white celebrity" to follow her lead and match the donation.
Contributing: Jennifer Hassan and Sameen Chaudhry, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ms. Rachel's 'genocide' post amid Gaza war draws mixed reactions
