Ms. Rachel says she won't work with anyone who hasn't spoken out about Gaza
In an Instagram post on July 24, Accurso said she will "never understand" fellow content creators' silence on the treatment of Palestinians in the area, where Israeli forces have killed tens of thousands of people during the war sparked by Hamas' 2023 attacks on Israel.
'I will always choose kindness, but I will never understand your silence,' she said. 'I especially can't understand those with so much privilege - the uncancelable - who still remain in the shadows.'
Ms. Rachel is known online for her YouTube series, 'Song for Littles,' with a channel amassing just under 15 million subscribers. Her videos focus mainly on teaching children nursery rhymes and basic concepts like colors, shapes and words.
More: More than 100 aid, rights groups call for action as hunger spreads in Gaza
A post shared by Ms Rachel (@msrachelforlittles)
Accurso targeted over advocacy
Accurso has become a target of pro-Israel groups. In April, the advocacy group StopAntisemitism asked Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate if Accurso was 'being funded by a foreign party to push anti-Israel propaganda to skew public opinion.'
The group accused the content creator of being an 'amplifier of Hamas propaganda,' saying images that she shared of children in Gaza were manipulated.
In response, the creator appeared in an interview with journalist Mehdi Hasan, on his independent publication Zeteo, saying that criticism for her continued advocacy for Palestinian children is unfair and that it "should be controversial to not say anything.'
Accurso said her advocacy does not come from a place of antisemitism, but rather a sense of empathy for children around the world.
'I've been blessed to get this platform. And kids feel that I care about them all deeply, and that's why I have the platform. Because they feel it through the screen, because it's genuine,' Accurso said.
Accurso's continued advocacy
Despite backlash she's faced from some, Accurso has continued to advocate for Palestinians in Gaza.
She has teamed up with Save the Children, a humanitarian nonprofit, and has also used her platform to highlight the stories of various Palestinian children. In one post, she shared the story of a 3-year-old Palestinian child who lost both legs in an airstrike.
'When I saw pictures of Rahaf in Gaza on the hospital floor, I saw the devastating consequences of endless bombing and continuous violations of children's human rights,' Accurso said.
Contributing: Reuters
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Brad Pitt's Mom Jane Etta Pitt Dead At 84
Brad Pitt's Mom Jane Etta Pitt Dead At 84 originally appeared on Parade. Brad Pitt is mourning the loss of his mother, Jane Etta Pitt, who has passed away at the age of 84. Sources close to the family confirmed to TMZ on Wednesday, August 6, that Jane died within the past couple of days. One of Jane's granddaughters, Sidney Pitt, also posted a heartfelt tribute on Instagram. 'My sweet Grammy, Jane Etta, we were not ready for you to go yet but knowing you are finally free to sing, dance, and paint again makes it a tad easier.,' Sidney began her caption. She elaborated on how her 'Grammy' taught her strength, how to paint, and kindness. She told childhood stories, and how her grandmother believed in 'doing good simply because it was the right thing to do.' Brad, 60, was said to be especially tight with his mother, often crediting her as the emotional cornerstone of their family. Jane worked as a family counselor and generally stayed out of the public eye, though she did attend several red carpets along with Brad's father, William Pitt, to support her son throughout his career. Jane shared a decades-long love story with her husband that began at Oklahoma Baptist University, where the two first met, according to PEOPLE. They tied the knot in 1962 and welcomed Brad soon after. The young family eventually moved from Oklahoma to Tulsa before settling in Springfield, Missouri — the city where Brad and his younger siblings, Doug and Julie, would grow up. In addition to her husband and three children, Jane also leaves behind 14 grandchildren. At this time, her cause of death is unknown. Brad Pitt's Mom Jane Etta Pitt Dead At 84 first appeared on Parade on Aug 6, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 6, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Celine Dion's fierce defence of son is a lesson in handling 'unwanted advice'
Celine Dion, 57, is a singing icon, but at home her most important role is being mum to her three sons, René-Charles, 24, and twins Nelson and Eddy, 14. The star showed the extent of a mother's love when she fiercely defended her eldest son in an interview with Ellen DeGeneres, which has now resurfaced online. Re-shared this year by Instagram fan account, @celinedionfashion, the clip showed Celine being interviewed by talk show host Ellen DeGeneres and things took a turn when Ellen asked when she was going to cut off her son's long hair. "Do you have a problem with that?" was Celine's speedy response. "Whatever I will do, I won't please everyone," she quipped, and also went on to reveal that "Rene-Charles makes his own decisions." MORE TO READ Celine Dion opens up about how her three sons have privately dealt with her health battle Fans praised how Celine handled the situation with one writing: "Celine did that with style, education and respect! She's amazing!" and another adding: "Do you have a problem with that? Put Ellen in place right there." A third penned: "Sooooo classy! So admirable, Céline!" and a fourth added: "Glad Ellen is not on TV anymore; she was not kind." Mum-of-one Features Editor, Miranda Thompson, shares her experience on unsolicited advice about children. "When it comes to unwanted advice about my son, I have to always try to remember people think they're being helpful, not malicious, and that it's likely they're trying to offer their own support in their own way. If it really winds me up, I'll take a deep breath and vent to a mum chat later!" she says. Celine shares her sons with late music producer René Angélil, who sadly passed away in 2003. On Father's Day, Celine shared a heartfelt message to her late husband. "You may no longer be by our side, but your love lives within us. You taught our boys to be kind, to believe in who they are, and to take care of one another. That's the greatest gift of all." Celine's health Celine has been plagued with health battles in recent years. In 2022, she revealed her Stiff-Person Syndrome diagnosis. The rare neurological disorder causes painful spasms and mobility issues. She first began experiencing symptoms in 2008, but it took years to get properly diagnosed. In July 2024, she made her triumphant return to the stage at the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony, performing live from the Eiffel Tower, after having to cancel many shows ahead of that. René-Charles was on hand to cheer and support his mom in Paris on this very special occasion, and he was visibly emotional. In a backstage clip, Celine's son was seen wiping away tears after his mother's spectacular showing as a crew member rubs his shoulder for support. Upon her return, Celine then pulls her son into a tight hug as they both lean into the emotional embrace. Where does Celine Dion live? The hitmaker traded living in an actual waterpark for a luxurious $1.2 million mansion when she started her Vegas residency – and she's been living there ever since. Over the years, we've seen glimpses inside her beautifully decorated abode where everything is immaculately tidied and super luxurious.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Cindy Crawford has some fans saying 'read the room' after her latest Muskoka post. What other celebrities vacation in the Canadian region?
After the model shared a photo of her U.S.-flag mug online, many shared thoughts like "ditch that mug" and "nope on the flag cup." Cindy Crawford is soaking up the sun in Ontario's cottage country, but many Canadians are still keeping their elbows up — and extending that rallying cry to the supermodel. This week, the 59-year-old star shared her latest carousel of photos from the Muskoka region, but one photo left many fans questioning her decision as she enjoys Canada this summer. "Lake life," the Illinois-bred model captioned her post alongside a red heart emoji. The photos in her post included a selfie, a snapshot of herself paddleboarding, various food pictures and a candid image of her husband, 63-year-old Rande Gerber, playing a board game. But one photo she posted featured a slice of toast topped with peanut butter and a bunch of blueberries, sitting on a plate beside a white mug featuring a version of the U.S. flag. While some fans raved over the supermodel looking "eternally youthful and gorgeous," others raged over Crawford showing off her American roots in Canada amid a trade war sparked by President Donald Trump. "[A] Canada cup would be nicer since you're enjoying our beautiful, peaceful country," one person penned along with a Canadian flag emoji. "Would be wise to take down the U.S. mug photo, if you are here enjoying our country," another suggested. "Wrong mug. Read the room," someone chimed in. "If you're in Canada, get rid of the U.S.A. mug. We like you, but our ground, our flag," a commenter added. It's not the first time Crawford has left some of her fans "disappointed" this summer. In July, she shared a few photos taken at a lakeside property in the region, featuring a photo of herself in a boxing stance with 30-year-old YouTube personality Logan Paul. "What happens at the lake, stays at the lake," Crawford captioned her post, including a hashtag for "Camp Salter," referring to the lakeside property Canadian billionaire Jamie Salter, 63, owns in Muskoka. The other pictures in her Instagram upload showed Paul posing alongside Crawford's husband and Salter, along with a larger group photo featuring multiple people wearing hoodies with "Camp Salter" written on the chest. In the comments section of that post, some showed their appreciation for Crawford's return to Ontario cottage country. But many of the comments called out Crawford for spending time with Paul, who has faced numerous controversies since he started posting on social media more than a decade ago. Some fans expressed shock over the post, noting they'd now be unfollowing the model. "Embarrassing! You're Cindy Crawford. What the h— are you doing with Logan Paul? Wow," one person questioned. "Wow, MAGA lovers in Muskoka?!? This is very disappointing. You are visitors to our beautiful country that your leader wants to annex. This post ain't it," someone else chimed in. "Cindy….sister… delete this," another added. "Who would've ever thought I'd have to unfollow Cindy Crawford," someone shared. Over the years, Paul has faced numerous instances of backlash, from a December 2017 incident where he vlogged inside Japan's "suicide forest" to creating a health concern in mid-2023 with his Prime energy drinks. He and brother Jake Paul, 28, were also among the surprise celebrities who attended U.S. President Donald Trump's inauguration this past January. The Muskoka region has long been a hot spot for celebrities looking to cool off amid warm summer weather. For years, the Ontario region has offered people a great chance to get in some swimming time and revel in outdoor barbecues as they enjoy the hotter months of the year. Between Canadian stars like Justin Bieber and Shania Twain, to A-listers including David and Victoria Beckham, it's an area that's often frequented by some of the most recognizable names in entertainment. Below are some of the many big names who have enjoyed trips to the Muskoka region over the years. Shania Twain Last October, the 59-year-old country-pop icon celebrated the Canadian Thanksgiving long weekend in the area. The "Man! I Feel Like A Woman!" hitmaker took to Instagram on Oct. 14, 2024, to share a photo of herself bundled up on a dock while sitting in a Muskoka chair. "There isn't anywhere more beautiful than Canada in the fall, and there isn't a better feeling than being warm and cozy in the crisp, cold air," she wrote. "Thankful for friends and family and this fabulous view. Heaven!" Canadian fans (and fellow celebrities) were quick to echo Twain's love of Canada. "Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!" commented fellow Canadian songstress Avril Lavigne. "It's like God dumped bright colours on all the trees. Growing up in northern Ontario, it was my favourite season," wrote a fan. While Twain spent her younger years in Timmins, Ont., she now spends some of her time a bit further south, in Ontario's Muskoka cottage country. Twain reportedly has a home in Lake of Bays. Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber Crawford and Gerber are frequent visitors of the Muskoka region. Last August, the supermodel showed off a carousel of photos on Instagram, including snapshots of herself and loved ones enjoying the Muskoka region. Her post included various selfies of her summer getaway, as well as pictures of herself paddleboarding, posing on her speedboat and eating delicious meals. She also included more photos of her husband, along with their two kids, 26-year-old Presley Gerber and 23-year-old Kaia Gerber. They posted an intimate sneak peek inside their Lake Muskoka cottage, nicknamed "Gerber Point Lodge." "Thanks for another great summer," Crawford captioned her post, alongside a sun emoji. "Until next year." In summer 2022, Crawford also made a few Instagram posts of her time at their cabin, including a video of herself steering a boat and a carousel of photos of her husband at their lakeside property. David and Victoria Beckham Last summer, Victoria Beckham shared another series of photos from her and her family's summer spent in the Muskoka area. On Aug. 27, 2024, she posted a carousel of snapshots featuring loved ones, as well as a group photo featuring Crawford and Gerber. "Special family moments in Muskoka," she wrote with a Canadian flag emoji. "Kisses, #SalterFamily, I love you all so much!!" The 51-year-old fashion designer also tagged her 50-year-old husband David, as well as kids Romeo, Cruz and Harper. The previous summer, Victoria shared another carousel of photos from a family trip to the Muskoka area. On Aug. 7, 2023, she posted a variety of candid lake-side pictures of herself and loved ones. The post featured a picture of herself waterskiing, along with snapshots of the family enjoying the lake life. She also shared a photo of her and her husband posing with Canadian businessman Jamie Salter and his wife, Sheryl, on the water. "The most perfect few days in Muskoka with beautiful friends," Victoria captioned that post. In the comments section, people expressed their love for the English couple and welcomed them to Canada. "Come back soon! Hope you enjoyed your stay in the Muskokas!!" one person wrote, while someone else wrote, "Welcome to our playground." Austin Butler Victoria Beckham also took to social media last summer to share a video featuring husband David, son Cruz and Elvis star Austin Butler lifting a fallen tree trunk above their heads. Butler, 33, likely spent time with the Beckhams while visiting the Muskoka region with then-girlfriend Kaia Gerber, Cindy Crawford's daughter. "Did you ever think you would see Elvis and Beckham lifting a tree? Helping the community in Muskoka. I'm impressed, gentleman!" Victoria captioned her clip on Aug. 6, 2023. In the comments, fans praised Butler and the Beckhams for embracing "the Canadian way." "How very Canadian of them," a fan wrote, while another added, "they are being so helpful like friendly Canadians." Justin and Hailey Bieber While Hailey and Justin Bieber don't currently own property in Muskoka, they've rented places on Lake Rosseau and Old Woman Island on Lake Muskoka in the past, according to Hello! magazine. The couple, who welcomed their first baby together last summer, reportedly kick back in the region often. Muskoka might be one of the couple's favourite Canadian destinations, but an area closer to Toronto appeared to steal their hearts back in 2018. That year, according to iDesignArch, Justin, 31, and Hailey, 28, purchased a $5-million waterfront estate on Puslinch Lake near Cambridge, Ont. Simu Liu In July 2023, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings star Simu Liu took to Instagram with a carousel of snaps from a vacation in Muskoka. In the sun-soaked photos from Goshulak Island, the 36-year-old actor spent time on the lake boating, jet-skiing and wakeboarding with his fiancée, Allison Hsu. In his now-deleted post, the Canadian star included a caption that was nothing short of a love letter to Goshulak Island, revealing it has been his "safe haven for over a decade." The 36-year-old Barbie actor added he "lived a lot of life and seen many things in those years, but nothing quite compares to the majesty of the lake." Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell and Kate Hudson According to Forbes, actors Goldie Hawn, 79, and Kurt Russell, 74, own property on Lake Rosseau, north of Lake Muskoka. It's where the couple have spent summer vacations with Hawn's 46-year-old daughter, Kate Hudson. In a red carpet interview with etalk at the 2023 Oscars, Hudson recalled her family's go-to pit-stop when driving up to their Northern retreat. "You got to go to Tim Hortons, and I usually just get coffee," she told Canadian TV host Tyrone Edwards. Martin Short Canadian comedian Martin Short is a big fan of Muskoka. The Only Murders in the Building star owns a cottage on Lake Rosseau and has even honoured his summer getaways in Ontario by creating a collector's coin. In 2013, the 75-year-old actor teamed up with artist Tony Bianco to create a $3 coin for the Royal Canadian Mint. The collector's item features Short's summer home, a sailboat and two Adirondack chairs. "As much as I adore the excitement of cities, it's rural Canada that has always had my heart," the Hamilton, Ont.-born star said in a press release that year. "When I'm there, I feel like I'm in heaven. More than anything, that's what Canada means to me." Mark Wahlberg and Tie Domi In August 2022, David Beckham shared a photo on Instagram posing with Canadian billionaire Jamie Salter, 63, Ted actor Mark Wahlberg, 54, and former Toronto Maple Leafs player Tie Domi, 55. In the picture, the four men flashed bright smiles for the camera and put their arms around each other. "Great few days in Muskoka," Beckham shared in the caption, alongside a Canadian flag emoji. "With family and friends. Wow, what a place. And yes, we laughed a lot and drank a little. The best." Shenae Grimes-Beech In July 2022, 90210 star Shenae Grimes-Beech shared a set of photos from her family holiday in Muskoka on her Instagram Stories. "Found a strip of pop-up shops made out of pastel-painted shipping containers in the middle of the woods. Muskoka, you're great," she captioned the first snap. The 35-year-old actress doubled down on her love for the region by sharing an additional photo of herself jet skiing, paired with the caption, "I repeat... Muskoka, you're great," alongside a Canadian flag emoji. Tom Hanks According to Forbes, Forrest Gump actor Tom Hanks has planted roots on the coastline of Lake Muskoka. The 69-year-old star owns a stunning lakeside cottage full of bay and picture windows, according to Bavarian Window Works. In the past, Hanks has shown his love for Canadians and the country's beauty. He replied to a letter from a fan in Toronto in 2016 who made a bet to see who could get a bet from a famous actor the fastest. "Toronto, huh? D— fine town," he wrote in his response, enclosed with a photo of himself. "Growing fast, all those condo towers down on the lake." Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin The Real Housewives of Beverley Hills actress Lisa Rinna, 62, and her Clash of the Titans-starring husband, Harry Hamlin, 73, have been taking getaways to the Muskoka area for years. They've reportedly spent many summers on Governors Island in Lake Joseph, where Hamlin's family has had a cottage for more than a century. In August 2023, Rinna took to Instagram with a carousel of photos from her summer in the region that year. "Some lake life 2023," the star captioned that post, alongside a Canadian flag emoji. Fans back then shared their appreciation for the post in the comments section. "Have the same view! It's the best," wrote New York-based stylist Leslie Fremar. "You rock," a fan added. Summer McIntosh Summer McIntosh might be an Olympic-winning swimmer, but that doesn't mean she can't spend a bit of vacation time on Lake Muskoka. Following the Paris Olympics last year, the 18-year-old athlete took off to her family's cottage in the area with "the girls." The Toronto-born swimmer took to Instagram last August to share a carousel of photos with her friends enjoying the lake-side relaxation time. In the photos, the women posed on a dock wearing bikinis. "I think her favourite place is our cottage up north, she's just so excited to go there," McIntosh's mom, Jill, said last summer, according to the National Post. "She loves outdoors. She loves waterskiing. She doesn't do any swimming up there — she might do a cannon ball off the dock and that's it.
