Rachel Accurso has built something remarkable. Known to millions of families simply as Ms Rachel, the children’s entertainer has amassed over 17 million YouTube subscribers and nearly eight million TikTok followers. But it’s not just the numbers that earned her a spot on Glamour Magazine’s annual Women of the Year list—it’s how she’s chosen to use that massive platform.
The magazine recognized Accurso for her vocal advocacy on behalf of the world’s most vulnerable children, particularly those caught in conflict zones like Gaza, Sudan, and Ukraine. For someone whose content is primarily aimed at toddlers learning to speak, it’s a powerful example of using influence for something beyond entertainment.
Six years ago, Accurso was simply a mother trying to help her young son Thomas overcome a speech delay. She started posting videos on YouTube, singing songs and teaching language skills in her now-iconic style. What began as a personal mission has transformed into a brand that toddlers everywhere recognize instantly. In her interview with Glamour, she reflected on how she’s now living out her childhood dreams of working with kids and being a singer.
Accurso draws deep inspiration from Fred Rogers and his legendary television show Mister Rogers’ Neighbourhood, which shaped her own childhood. When asked if his activism influenced her approach, she demurred at the comparison. “I can’t accept that because it’s just too much pressure,” she said, though she added that she felt “honored to be in the same sentence as him.”
Like Rogers before her, Accurso hasn’t shied away from speaking out about war and its devastating impact on children. She has consistently used her platform to highlight the stories of children affected by Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which has killed thousands of kids and left many more severely injured. As a global ambassador for the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, she supports their work in the United States through both donations and by spending time with children the organization brings to America for medical treatment. She’s formed a particularly close friendship with Rahaf, a four-year-old double amputee from Gaza.
The decision to speak out hasn’t come without cost. Accusso told Glamour that hearing negative comments about her moral stance has been painful, particularly facing accusations of antisemitism from pro-Israel advocates. But she remains resolute in her position. “Kids’ lives are more important than my reputation, or something I might read that’s painful,” she explained. She keeps herself grounded by imagining what mothers whose children are suffering must be going through, and that perspective helps her push through the pressure.
Joining Accurso on the Women of the Year list is actress Rachel Zegler, another prominent voice advocating for the people of Gaza. Zegler made headlines last year for tensions with her Snow White costar Gal Gadot, a former Israeli service member. In an interview with Variety, Zegler put it simply: “I can’t watch children die.”
The context for their advocacy is stark. For two years, Israel conducted an intensive military campaign in Gaza, resulting in approximately 68,000 Palestinian deaths according to health officials. While Israel officially agreed to a ceasefire earlier this month that included a prisoner exchange, the situation remains precarious. Sporadic Israeli strikes have continued, including one conducted in Gaza just this past Sunday, raising questions about the durability of the fragile truce.
