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| years_active = 2019–present
| years_active = 2019–present
| genre = {{hlist|[[Children's music]]|[[Educational television|education]]}}
| genre = {{hlist|[[Children's music]]|[[Educational television|education]]}}
| subscribers = 10.5 million
| subscribers = 12.4 million
| subscriber_date = July 13, 2024
| subscriber_date = November 20, 2024
| views = 7 billion
| views = 8.6 billion
| view_date = July 13, 2024
| view_date = November 20, 2024
| network =
| network =
| language = English
| language = English
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| red_diamond_button =
| red_diamond_button =
| red_diamond_year =
| red_diamond_year =
| stats_update = July 3, 2024
| stats_update = November 20, 2024
| spouse = Aron Accurso
| spouse = Aron Accurso
| education = {{plainlist|
| education = {{plainlist|
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}}
}}


'''Rachel Griffin Accurso''' ([[Birth name|née]] '''Griffin'''),{{efn|Sources conflict on Ms. Rachel's full name: it is reported as either Rachel Griffin Accurso<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ushe |first1=Naledi |title=Ms. Rachel addresses backlash after wishing fans a 'Happy Pride' |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2024/06/04/ms-rachel-pride-month-lgbtq-backlash/73969851007/ |access-date=6 June 2024 |work=[[USA Today]]}}</ref><ref name="cnn" /> or Rachel Accurso.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Monteil |first1=Abby |title=Kids' YouTuber Ms. Rachel Said "Happy Pride" and the Right-Wing Tantrums Commenced |url=https://www.them.us/story/ms-rachel-youtube-pride-conservative-right-wing-backlash-outrage |access-date=6 June 2024 |work=[[Them (magazine)|Them]] |date=4 June 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Silberling |first1=Amanda |title=Cameo fumbles on Ms. Rachel fundraiser as fans receive credits instead of videos |url=https://techcrunch.com/2024/06/05/cameo-fumbles-on-ms-rachel-fundraiser-as-fans-receive-credits-instead-of-videos/ |access-date=6 June 2024 |work=TechCrunch |date=5 June 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Cohen |first1=Danielle |title=Why Are People Mad About Ms. Rachel's Save the Children Campaign? |url=https://www.thecut.com/article/ms-rachel-says-shes-been-bullied-gaza-drama-explained.html |access-date=6 June 2024 |work=The Cut |date=17 May 2024 |language=en}}</ref> This article uses the Rachel Griffin Accurso name in the lead for consistency.}} better known as '''Ms. Rachel''', is an American YouTuber, social media personality, songwriter, and educator. She is best known for creating the YouTube series ''Songs for Littles'', a [[children's music]] series focused on language development for toddlers and infants.
'''Rachel Anne Accurso'''<ref name=Elmo>{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnqsEUxgSBQ&t=1471|quote="My middle name is Anne. My full name is Rachel Anne Accurso."|date=15 August 2024|people=Accurso, Rachel|title=Ms Rachel & Elmo Get Ready For School - ABC Song, Numbers, Colors - Toddler & Preschool Learning|time=24:31}}</ref> ([[Birth name|née]] '''Griffin'''),{{efn|Sources conflict on Ms. Rachel's full name: it is reported as either Rachel Griffin Accurso<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ushe |first1=Naledi |title=Ms. Rachel addresses backlash after wishing fans a 'Happy Pride' |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2024/06/04/ms-rachel-pride-month-lgbtq-backlash/73969851007/ |access-date=6 June 2024 |work=[[USA Today]]}}</ref><ref name="cnn" /> or Rachel Accurso.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Monteil |first1=Abby |title=Kids' YouTuber Ms. Rachel Said "Happy Pride" and the Right-Wing Tantrums Commenced |url=https://www.them.us/story/ms-rachel-youtube-pride-conservative-right-wing-backlash-outrage |access-date=6 June 2024 |work=[[Them (magazine)|Them]] |date=4 June 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Silberling |first1=Amanda |title=Cameo fumbles on Ms. Rachel fundraiser as fans receive credits instead of videos |url=https://techcrunch.com/2024/06/05/cameo-fumbles-on-ms-rachel-fundraiser-as-fans-receive-credits-instead-of-videos/ |access-date=6 June 2024 |work=TechCrunch |date=5 June 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Cohen |first1=Danielle |title=Why Are People Mad About Ms. Rachel's Save the Children Campaign? |url=https://www.thecut.com/article/ms-rachel-says-shes-been-bullied-gaza-drama-explained.html |access-date=6 June 2024 |work=The Cut |date=17 May 2024 |language=en}}</ref> This article uses the Rachel Griffin Accurso name in the lead for consistency.}} better known as '''Ms. Rachel''', is an American YouTuber, social media personality, songwriter, and educator. She is best known for creating the YouTube series ''Songs for Littles'', a [[children's music]] series focused on language development for toddlers and infants.


==Life and career==
==Life and career==
Line 50: Line 50:
Accurso started her YouTube channel in 2019 under the name Ms. Rachel with her husband, [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] music director and composer Aron Accurso; they created the channel in response to the lack of media resources for her son who had a [[speech delay]] and did not say his first word until he was two years old.<ref name="peoplebreak">{{cite web |last1=Hogan |first1=Kate |title=Internet Sensation Ms. Rachel on Her Break from TikTok: 'Self-Care Is Important' |url=https://people.com/parents/ms-rachel-on-break-from-tiktok-youtube-success/ |website=[[People (magazine)|People]] |access-date=March 11, 2023 |date=March 3, 2023 |archive-date=March 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311110714/https://people.com/parents/ms-rachel-on-break-from-tiktok-youtube-success/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="todayshow">{{cite web |last1=Hanson |first1=Kait |title=Who is Ms. Rachel and why are your kids obsessed with her? |url=https://www.today.com/parents/family/who-is-ms-rachel-rcna60194 |website=[[Today (American TV program)|Today]] |access-date=March 11, 2023 |date=December 7, 2022 |archive-date=March 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311110713/https://www.today.com/parents/family/who-is-ms-rachel-rcna60194 |url-status=live }}</ref> She created ''Songs for Littles'', a [[children's music]] YouTube series made up of a combination of classic [[children's song]]s, such as [[nursery rhymes]], and original music for toddlers and infants.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Thompson Payton |first1=L'Oreal |title=Screen time may not be as bad for children as previously thought |url=https://fortune.com/well/2022/10/19/screen-time-cognitive-development-in-kids/ |website=[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]] |access-date=March 11, 2023 |date=October 19, 2022 |archive-date=March 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311110715/https://fortune.com/well/2022/10/19/screen-time-cognitive-development-in-kids/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It was originally started as an in-person class led by Accurso and was inspired by the techniques of her son's [[early childhood intervention]] [[Speech–language pathology|speech therapist]] with a focus on [[language development]] milestones and inclusive subject matter.<ref name="peoplebreak" /><ref name="todayshow" /><ref name="huffpost" /> The channel became especially popular starting in 2020 during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] and has over ten million subscribers {{As of|lc=y|2024}}.<ref name="rsjules">{{cite magazine |last1=Jones |first1=CT |title=A Kids YouTuber Uses They/Them Pronouns. Some Parents Just Found Out -- And Lost Their Minds |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/songs-for-littles-tiktok-parents-jules-ms-rachel-1234694629/ |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=April 27, 2023 |date=March 10, 2023 |archive-date=April 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427185154/https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/songs-for-littles-tiktok-parents-jules-ms-rachel-1234694629/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Accurso started her YouTube channel in 2019 under the name Ms. Rachel with her husband, [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] music director and composer Aron Accurso; they created the channel in response to the lack of media resources for her son who had a [[speech delay]] and did not say his first word until he was two years old.<ref name="peoplebreak">{{cite web |last1=Hogan |first1=Kate |title=Internet Sensation Ms. Rachel on Her Break from TikTok: 'Self-Care Is Important' |url=https://people.com/parents/ms-rachel-on-break-from-tiktok-youtube-success/ |website=[[People (magazine)|People]] |access-date=March 11, 2023 |date=March 3, 2023 |archive-date=March 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311110714/https://people.com/parents/ms-rachel-on-break-from-tiktok-youtube-success/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="todayshow">{{cite web |last1=Hanson |first1=Kait |title=Who is Ms. Rachel and why are your kids obsessed with her? |url=https://www.today.com/parents/family/who-is-ms-rachel-rcna60194 |website=[[Today (American TV program)|Today]] |access-date=March 11, 2023 |date=December 7, 2022 |archive-date=March 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311110713/https://www.today.com/parents/family/who-is-ms-rachel-rcna60194 |url-status=live }}</ref> She created ''Songs for Littles'', a [[children's music]] YouTube series made up of a combination of classic [[children's song]]s, such as [[nursery rhymes]], and original music for toddlers and infants.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Thompson Payton |first1=L'Oreal |title=Screen time may not be as bad for children as previously thought |url=https://fortune.com/well/2022/10/19/screen-time-cognitive-development-in-kids/ |website=[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]] |access-date=March 11, 2023 |date=October 19, 2022 |archive-date=March 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311110715/https://fortune.com/well/2022/10/19/screen-time-cognitive-development-in-kids/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It was originally started as an in-person class led by Accurso and was inspired by the techniques of her son's [[early childhood intervention]] [[Speech–language pathology|speech therapist]] with a focus on [[language development]] milestones and inclusive subject matter.<ref name="peoplebreak" /><ref name="todayshow" /><ref name="huffpost" /> The channel became especially popular starting in 2020 during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] and has over ten million subscribers {{As of|lc=y|2024}}.<ref name="rsjules">{{cite magazine |last1=Jones |first1=CT |title=A Kids YouTuber Uses They/Them Pronouns. Some Parents Just Found Out -- And Lost Their Minds |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/songs-for-littles-tiktok-parents-jules-ms-rachel-1234694629/ |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=April 27, 2023 |date=March 10, 2023 |archive-date=April 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427185154/https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/songs-for-littles-tiktok-parents-jules-ms-rachel-1234694629/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


''Songs for Littles'' features Accurso as the star, with her signature outfit of a pink shirt with overalls and a headband,<ref name="todayreturn" /> alongside diverse cast and crew members including actress and teacher Keisha Gilles, diversity and inclusion consultant Alexa Smith, speech therapist Frida Matute, animator and editor Beth Jean, singer-songwriter Jules Hoffman,<ref name="todayreturn">{{cite web |last1=Hanson |first1=Kait |title=Ms. Rachel returns to social media with honest message about 'boundaries' |url=https://www.today.com/parents/family/ms-rachel-returns-to-social-media-rcna73628 |website=Today |access-date=March 11, 2023 |date=March 7, 2023 |archive-date=March 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311073735/https://www.today.com/parents/family/ms-rachel-returns-to-social-media-rcna73628 |url-status=live }}</ref> actress Natalie Kaye Clater, and Accurso's husband Aron, the last of whom writes and arranges music for the series and operates two puppet characters named Georgie and Herbie.<ref name="todayshow" /><ref name="huffpost">{{cite web |last1=Borresen |first1=Kelsey |title=12 Kids' TV Shows That Experts Let Their Own Children Watch |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/kids-tv-shows-child-development-experts_l_638f990de4b0411f9e7cf6aa |website=[[HuffPost]] |access-date=March 11, 2023 |date=December 8, 2022 |archive-date=March 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311110715/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/kids-tv-shows-child-development-experts_l_638f990de4b0411f9e7cf6aa |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="varietycaa">{{cite web |last1=Hailu |first1=Selome |title=Ms. Rachel and 'Songs for Littles' Sign With CAA |url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/ms-rachel-songs-for-littles-caa-1235545617/ |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=March 11, 2023 |date=March 7, 2023 |archive-date=March 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230310170009/https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/ms-rachel-songs-for-littles-caa-1235545617/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Accurso also became popular on [[TikTok]] as Ms. Rachel, where she had over two and a half million followers by March 2023.<ref name="todayshow" /><ref name="nbcbreak" /> Accurso took a break from TikTok in February 2023, citing her mental health.<ref name="peoplebreak" /> The break was assumed by fans to be in response to backlash from some parents on the platform against Accurso's co-star Jules Hoffman for using ''[[Singular they|they/them]]'' pronouns.<ref name="nbcbreak">{{cite web |last1=Sung |first1=Morgan |title=Viral kids' star Ms. Rachel is taking a break from social media after backlash over co-star who uses they/them pronouns |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/viral/ms-rachel-social-media-break-jules-tiktok-rcna73005 |website=[[NBC News]] |access-date=March 11, 2023 |date=March 2, 2023 |archive-date=March 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230310211240/https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/viral/ms-rachel-social-media-break-jules-tiktok-rcna73005 |url-status=live }}</ref> However, some{{who|date=March 2024}} argue that Accurso's inclusion on the show brought positive representation for children.{{cn|date=March 2024}} That same month, Accurso returned to TikTok while she and ''Songs for Littles'' were signed to [[Creative Artists Agency]].<ref name="todayreturn" /><ref name="varietycaa" /> In June 2024, Accurso received backlash and a boycott campaign from conservatives after she posted a video on [[TikTok]] wishing viewers a happy [[Pride Month]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/culture/354047/ms-rachel-backlash-explained-pride-gaza|title=The backlash against children's YouTuber Ms Rachel, explained|last1=Delgado|first1=Sam|publisher=[[Vox (website)|Vox]]|date=June 6, 2024|accessdate=June 8, 2024}}</ref>
''Songs for Littles'' features Accurso as the star, with her signature outfit of a pink shirt with overalls and a headband,<ref name="todayreturn" /> alongside diverse cast and crew members including actress and teacher Keisha Gilles, diversity and inclusion consultant Alexa Smith, speech therapist Frida Matute, animator and editor Beth Jean, singer-songwriter [[Jules Hoffman]],<ref name="todayreturn">{{cite web |last1=Hanson |first1=Kait |title=Ms. Rachel returns to social media with honest message about 'boundaries' |url=https://www.today.com/parents/family/ms-rachel-returns-to-social-media-rcna73628 |website=Today |access-date=March 11, 2023 |date=March 7, 2023 |archive-date=March 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311073735/https://www.today.com/parents/family/ms-rachel-returns-to-social-media-rcna73628 |url-status=live }}</ref> actress Natalie Kaye Clater, and Accurso's husband Aron, the last of whom writes and arranges music for the series and operates two puppet characters named Georgie and Herbie.<ref name="todayshow" /><ref name="huffpost">{{cite web |last1=Borresen |first1=Kelsey |title=12 Kids' TV Shows That Experts Let Their Own Children Watch |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/kids-tv-shows-child-development-experts_l_638f990de4b0411f9e7cf6aa |website=[[HuffPost]] |access-date=March 11, 2023 |date=December 8, 2022 |archive-date=March 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311110715/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/kids-tv-shows-child-development-experts_l_638f990de4b0411f9e7cf6aa |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="varietycaa">{{cite web |last1=Hailu |first1=Selome |title=Ms. Rachel and 'Songs for Littles' Sign With CAA |url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/ms-rachel-songs-for-littles-caa-1235545617/ |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=March 11, 2023 |date=March 7, 2023 |archive-date=March 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230310170009/https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/ms-rachel-songs-for-littles-caa-1235545617/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Accurso also became popular on [[TikTok]] as Ms. Rachel, where she had over two and a half million followers by March 2023.<ref name="todayshow" /><ref name="nbcbreak" /> Accurso took a break from TikTok in February 2023, citing her mental health.<ref name="peoplebreak" /> The break was assumed by fans to be in response to backlash from some parents on the platform against Accurso's co-star Jules Hoffman for using ''[[Singular they|they/them]]'' pronouns.<ref name="nbcbreak">{{cite web |last1=Sung |first1=Morgan |title=Viral kids' star Ms. Rachel is taking a break from social media after backlash over co-star who uses they/them pronouns |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/viral/ms-rachel-social-media-break-jules-tiktok-rcna73005 |website=[[NBC News]] |access-date=March 11, 2023 |date=March 2, 2023 |archive-date=March 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230310211240/https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/viral/ms-rachel-social-media-break-jules-tiktok-rcna73005 |url-status=live }}</ref> That same month, Accurso returned to TikTok while she and ''Songs for Littles'' were signed to [[Creative Artists Agency]].<ref name="todayreturn" /><ref name="varietycaa" /> In June 2024, Accurso received backlash and a boycott campaign from conservatives after she posted a video on [[TikTok]] wishing viewers a happy [[Pride Month]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/culture/354047/ms-rachel-backlash-explained-pride-gaza|title=The backlash against children's YouTuber Ms Rachel, explained|last1=Delgado|first1=Sam|publisher=[[Vox (website)|Vox]]|date=June 6, 2024|accessdate=June 8, 2024}}</ref>


⚫
Accurso announced a fundraising campaign in a video published in May 2024 to her [[TikTok]] and [[Instagram]] accounts. She offered to make videos on [[Cameo (website)|Cameo]], a website that allows users to pay for a personalized video with a message of their choice, with all revenue from the videos going to [[Save the Children]]'s emergency fund, mentioning the [[Gaza Strip]], [[Sudan]], [[Ukraine]], and the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]].<ref name="cnn" /> In a couple of hours, she had raised over $50,000 from 500 Cameo requests, which she later paused to record the requested videos.<ref name="cnn">{{cite news |last1=Karimi |first1=Faith |title=This popular YouTuber launched a campaign to help kids in Gaza and other conflict zones. Then came the angry comments |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/22/us/ms-rachel-gaza-social-media-cec/index.html |access-date=23 May 2024 |work=CNN |date=22 May 2024 |language=en}}</ref> Accurso stated that she was [[Cyberbullying|bullied online]] for the matter, stating that she cares "deeply for all children".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tolentino |first1=Daysia |title=Viral kids creator Ms. Rachel says she experienced bullying after fundraising for children in Gaza |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ms-rachel-bullying-fundraising-children-gaza-rcna152701 |access-date=23 May 2024 |work=NBC News |date=17 May 2024 |language=en}}</ref> She soon disabled comments on her YouTube and Instagram accounts.<ref name="cnn" />
==== Fundraising ====
⚫
Accurso announced a fundraising campaign in a video published on May 12, 2024 to her [[TikTok]] and [[Instagram]] accounts. She offered to make videos on a [[Cameo (website)|Cameo]], a website that allows users to pay for a personalized video with a message of their choice. Accurso stated that all revenue from the videos will go to [[Save the Children]]'s emergency fund, mentioning the [[Gaza Strip]], [[Sudan]], [[Ukraine]], and the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]].<ref name="cnn" /> In a couple of hours, she had raised over $50,000 from 500 Cameo requests, which she later paused to record the requested videos.<ref name="cnn">{{cite news |last1=Karimi |first1=Faith |title=This popular YouTuber launched a campaign to help kids in Gaza and other conflict zones. Then came the angry comments |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/22/us/ms-rachel-gaza-social-media-cec/index.html |access-date=23 May 2024 |work=CNN |date=22 May 2024 |language=en}}</ref> Accurso has stated that she has been [[Cyberbullying|bullied online]] for the matter, stating that she cares "deeply for all children".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tolentino |first1=Daysia |title=Viral kids creator Ms. Rachel says she experienced bullying after fundraising for children in Gaza |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ms-rachel-bullying-fundraising-children-gaza-rcna152701 |access-date=23 May 2024 |work=NBC News |date=17 May 2024 |language=en}}</ref> She has since disabled comments on her YouTube and Instagram accounts.<ref name="cnn" />


== Notes ==
== Notes ==
Line 76: Line 75:
[[Category:University of Southern Maine alumni]]
[[Category:University of Southern Maine alumni]]
[[Category:People from Sanford, Maine]]
[[Category:People from Sanford, Maine]]
[[Category:Educators from New York (state)]]
[[Category:Musicians from Maine]]
[[Category:Musicians from New York (state)]]

Latest revision as of 18:03, 22 November 2024

Ms. Rachel
Personal information
Born
Rachel Griffin

(1982-11-30) November 30, 1982 (age 41)
Biddeford, Maine, United States
Education
Occupations
  • YouTuber
  • social media personality
  • educator
SpouseAron Accurso
YouTube information
Channel
Years active2019–present
Genres
Subscribers12.4 million[1]
(November 20, 2024)
Total views8.6 billion[1]
(November 20, 2024)
Contents are inEnglish
100,000 subscribers2021
1,000,000 subscribers2022
10,000,000 subscribers2024
Last updated: November 20, 2024

Rachel Anne Accurso[2] (née Griffin),[a] better known as Ms. Rachel, is an American YouTuber, social media personality, songwriter, and educator. She is best known for creating the YouTube series Songs for Littles, a children's music series focused on language development for toddlers and infants.

Life and career

[edit]

Early life

[edit]

Accurso was born in Biddeford, Maine and raised in Sanford, Maine. She attended Sanford High School, where she did theatre, and the University of Southern Maine.[8] She earned a master's degree in music education from New York University in 2016[9] and worked as a music teacher at a public preschool in New York City before starting her YouTube channel.[10] As of 2023, she is pursuing a second master's degree in early childhood education.[11]

Internet career

[edit]

Accurso started her YouTube channel in 2019 under the name Ms. Rachel with her husband, Broadway music director and composer Aron Accurso; they created the channel in response to the lack of media resources for her son who had a speech delay and did not say his first word until he was two years old.[12][10] She created Songs for Littles, a children's music YouTube series made up of a combination of classic children's songs, such as nursery rhymes, and original music for toddlers and infants.[13] It was originally started as an in-person class led by Accurso and was inspired by the techniques of her son's early childhood intervention speech therapist with a focus on language development milestones and inclusive subject matter.[12][10][14] The channel became especially popular starting in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and has over ten million subscribers as of 2024.[15]

Songs for Littles features Accurso as the star, with her signature outfit of a pink shirt with overalls and a headband,[16] alongside diverse cast and crew members including actress and teacher Keisha Gilles, diversity and inclusion consultant Alexa Smith, speech therapist Frida Matute, animator and editor Beth Jean, singer-songwriter Jules Hoffman,[16] actress Natalie Kaye Clater, and Accurso's husband Aron, the last of whom writes and arranges music for the series and operates two puppet characters named Georgie and Herbie.[10][14][11] Accurso also became popular on TikTok as Ms. Rachel, where she had over two and a half million followers by March 2023.[10][17] Accurso took a break from TikTok in February 2023, citing her mental health.[12] The break was assumed by fans to be in response to backlash from some parents on the platform against Accurso's co-star Jules Hoffman for using they/them pronouns.[17] That same month, Accurso returned to TikTok while she and Songs for Littles were signed to Creative Artists Agency.[16][11] In June 2024, Accurso received backlash and a boycott campaign from conservatives after she posted a video on TikTok wishing viewers a happy Pride Month.[18]

Accurso announced a fundraising campaign in a video published in May 2024 to her TikTok and Instagram accounts. She offered to make videos on Cameo, a website that allows users to pay for a personalized video with a message of their choice, with all revenue from the videos going to Save the Children's emergency fund, mentioning the Gaza Strip, Sudan, Ukraine, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.[4] In a couple of hours, she had raised over $50,000 from 500 Cameo requests, which she later paused to record the requested videos.[4] Accurso stated that she was bullied online for the matter, stating that she cares "deeply for all children".[19] She soon disabled comments on her YouTube and Instagram accounts.[4]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Sources conflict on Ms. Rachel's full name: it is reported as either Rachel Griffin Accurso[3][4] or Rachel Accurso.[5][6][7] This article uses the Rachel Griffin Accurso name in the lead for consistency.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "About Ms Rachel - Toddler Learning Videos". YouTube.
  2. ^ Accurso, Rachel (15 August 2024). Ms Rachel & Elmo Get Ready For School - ABC Song, Numbers, Colors - Toddler & Preschool Learning. Event occurs at 24:31. My middle name is Anne. My full name is Rachel Anne Accurso.
  3. ^ Ushe, Naledi. "Ms. Rachel addresses backlash after wishing fans a 'Happy Pride'". USA Today. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d Karimi, Faith (22 May 2024). "This popular YouTuber launched a campaign to help kids in Gaza and other conflict zones. Then came the angry comments". CNN. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  5. ^ Monteil, Abby (4 June 2024). "Kids' YouTuber Ms. Rachel Said "Happy Pride" and the Right-Wing Tantrums Commenced". Them. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  6. ^ Silberling, Amanda (5 June 2024). "Cameo fumbles on Ms. Rachel fundraiser as fans receive credits instead of videos". TechCrunch. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  7. ^ Cohen, Danielle (17 May 2024). "Why Are People Mad About Ms. Rachel's Save the Children Campaign?". The Cut. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  8. ^ Goldberg, Lee (April 10, 2023). "Former Maine teacher 'Ms Rachel' posts educational videos for the masses". News Center Maine. Archived from the original on April 27, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  9. ^ "2024 Dorothy Height Distinguished Alumni Award Honoree: Rachel Griffin-Accurso (MA '16) | NYU Steinhardt". steinhardt.nyu.edu. 2024-05-14. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
  10. ^ a b c d e Hanson, Kait (December 7, 2022). "Who is Ms. Rachel and why are your kids obsessed with her?". Today. Archived from the original on March 11, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  11. ^ a b c Hailu, Selome (March 7, 2023). "Ms. Rachel and 'Songs for Littles' Sign With CAA". Variety. Archived from the original on March 10, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  12. ^ a b c Hogan, Kate (March 3, 2023). "Internet Sensation Ms. Rachel on Her Break from TikTok: 'Self-Care Is Important'". People. Archived from the original on March 11, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  13. ^ Thompson Payton, L'Oreal (October 19, 2022). "Screen time may not be as bad for children as previously thought". Fortune. Archived from the original on March 11, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  14. ^ a b Borresen, Kelsey (December 8, 2022). "12 Kids' TV Shows That Experts Let Their Own Children Watch". HuffPost. Archived from the original on March 11, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  15. ^ Jones, CT (March 10, 2023). "A Kids YouTuber Uses They/Them Pronouns. Some Parents Just Found Out -- And Lost Their Minds". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 27, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  16. ^ a b c Hanson, Kait (March 7, 2023). "Ms. Rachel returns to social media with honest message about 'boundaries'". Today. Archived from the original on March 11, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  17. ^ a b Sung, Morgan (March 2, 2023). "Viral kids' star Ms. Rachel is taking a break from social media after backlash over co-star who uses they/them pronouns". NBC News. Archived from the original on March 10, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  18. ^ Delgado, Sam (June 6, 2024). "The backlash against children's YouTuber Ms Rachel, explained". Vox. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
  19. ^ Tolentino, Daysia (17 May 2024). "Viral kids creator Ms. Rachel says she experienced bullying after fundraising for children in Gaza". NBC News. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
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