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

Rachel Accurso, the children’s entertainer known worldwide as Ms. Rachel, is facing backlash after her Instagram account appeared to like an antisemitic comment.

The situation began after screenshots spread online showing her account liking a comment that said, Free america from the Jews. The comment was left under a post Accurso had shared that read, Free Palestine, Free Sudan, Free Congo, Free Iran. That original post has since been deleted.

The screenshots quickly circulated on social media and were shared by multiple users, drawing criticism from Jewish advocacy groups and longtime followers of Ms. Rachel. Accurso has more than 18 million subscribers on YouTube, and her toddler education program was the ninth most-watched show on Netflix in the second half of 2025, according to Netflix viewing data.

Accurso responded directly on Instagram after a follower alerted her to the liked comment. She shared a screenshot of the message exchange and said she believed she had deleted the comment as soon as she noticed it. Ya I believe I deleted that earlier right when I saw it! I hate antisemitism, she wrote. She later explained that she was trying to remove the comment but accidentally tapped the like button instead.

In the caption of her post, Accurso apologized and said the interaction was unintentional. 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 opposes all forms of hate, including antisemitism against Jewish people.

She also posted a video apology, speaking emotionally and saying the moment was a mistake made while scrolling quickly. 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, she said while crying in the video.

In a statement to Variety, Accurso repeated that she does not support hateful language or attacks against 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 said.

Accurso is known not only for children’s content but also for her activism. She has raised more than $1 million for organizations that support children affected by war and poverty. She has been outspoken about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and has criticized Israel’s actions, which has previously brought online backlash.

While some accepted her apology, others remained critical. HonestReporting, a pro-Israel media watchdog, published a report questioning her explanation. The report cited screenshots that appeared to show multiple interactions with antisemitic comments. 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 said.

It also included an image that appeared to show Accurso replying ooooooooooohhhhh to a comment claiming Jewish people had written the antisemitic messages themselves.

At the same time, several public figures came to Accurso’s defense. Actress Ilana Glazer commented that many people know her character and intentions. Billions of people know your clear, loving heart, Glazer wrote. Singer Lance Bass also defended her, saying, ZERO people think this was intentional. The ones pretending have their own agenda obviously.

Despite the controversy, Accurso continues to expand her career. Her Netflix series Ms. Rachel remains popular with young audiences, and she recently released a new children’s book titled Ms. Rachel and the Special Surprise. She and her husband, Broadway composer Aron Accurso, welcomed their second child via surrogacy in April 2025. A live tribute tour inspired by her show is also planned for the United Kingdom and Ireland in the coming months.

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