Children’s Entertainer Ms. Rachel Issues Apology After Liking Antisemitic Instagram Comment

Rachel Accurso came under fire after screenshots circulated online that showed her Instagram account liking a comment that read, Free america from the Jews. The antisemitic comment appeared under a now-deleted post shared by Accurso that read Free Palestine, Free Sudan, Free Congo, Free Iran.

The screenshots of Accurso “liking” the comment prompted condemnation from Jewish advocacy groups and other followers of Ms. Rachel. Accurso has more than 18 million subscribers on YouTube, and her education program for toddlers was the ninth most-watched show on Netflix in the back half of 2025.

Accurso posted a screenshot of a follower alerting her that she had liked the antisemitic comment, to which she replied that she had deleted the “horrible” message. Ya I believe I deleted that earlier right when I saw it! I hate antisemitism, Accurso wrote.

In her caption, Accurso said she meant to delete the comment but instead tapped the like button. People are allowed to make mistakes. I am super sorry for any confusion it caused. I delete antisemitism ANY time I see it, she wrote. She added that she is against all forms of hate, including antisemitism against the Jewish people.

Accurso also posted a video in which she offers an emotional apology for the gaffe, saying she accidentally hit the like button while trying to delete the post. I’m a human who makes mistakes. I feel like we can’t be human anymore online. … Everyone who knows me knows I would never like that, Accurso added through tears.

In a statement to Variety, Accurso reiterated that she does not support language that targets or harms the Jewish community. Antisemitism and hate of any kind have no place in my life or my work. Everything I do is rooted in kindness, inclusion, and care for all humanity, she stated.

Accurso is a children’s rights advocate who has raised more than $1 million for organizations supporting children in conflict zones. She has been especially vocal about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and is a strong critic of Israel. In one video, she sang with a 3-year-old double amputee from Gaza, and she recently curated a New York exhibition of artwork from Palestinian kids titled Colors That Survived.

Accurso has frequently defended her activism against internet backlash, though her behavior online remains a topic of scrutiny. HonestReporting, a pro-Israel media watchdog, published a report suggesting her actions fit a broader pattern of misinformation.

Everyone has accidentally liked a post while mindlessly scrolling through social media. But when that ‘accident’ becomes multiple engagements with blatantly antisemitic comments… it can no longer be dismissed, the report claimed. It included a screenshot appearing to show Accurso responding ooooooooooohhhhh to a comment alleging that Jewish people had left the antisemitic messages themselves.

Several public figures stood by Accurso in the comment section under her apology video. Broad City star Ilana Glazer wrote that billions of people know her clear, loving heart. NSYNC singer Lance Bass added, ZERO people think this was intentional. The ones pretending have their own agenda obviously.

Beyond her social media presence, Accurso has been expanding her reach through several major projects in early 2026. Her Netflix series, Ms. Rachel, continues to dominate the children’s charts, and she recently released a new book titled Ms. Rachel and the Special Surprise.

Accurso and her husband, Broadway composer Aron Accurso, also recently welcomed their second child via surrogacy in April 2025. In the coming months, a “tribute tour” inspired by her show is set to travel across the United Kingdom and Ireland, featuring educational songs and live performances for young families.

Accurso remains committed to her work as an ambassador for Save the Children and Room to Grow. Despite the ongoing controversy, she continues to release new educational videos focused on speech development and early milestones, maintaining her status as a global leader in early childhood education.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!