Ms. Rachel Matches Macklemore’s $1M Gaza Donation, Urges Other Celebrities to Follow

Key points

• Ms. Rachel (Rachel Accurso) pledged to match Macklemore’s $1 million donation to Palestinian aid organizations on September 17, 2026.
• Accurso specified that her donation would go to the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, according to The Guardian.
• She called on 'every wealthy white celebrity' to match the donation and speak out against the conflict in Gaza.
• Macklemore donated his entire $1 million net earnings from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour to six organizations supporting Palestinians after being dropped from the tour.
• Macklemore was removed from the tour after voicing support for Palestinians and performing his song 'Hind’s Hall' at MetLife Stadium on September 4 and 5.
• Ed Sheeran stated the decision to remove Macklemore was made by tour promoters, not him, and that he maintains a neutral public stance on the conflict.

Background

This development follows Macklemore’s September 16 announcement that he would donate his entire $1 million net earnings from supporting Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour to six Palestinian aid organizations. The controversy began after Macklemore voiced support for Palestinians and performed his protest song 'Hind’s Hall' at MetLife Stadium on September 4 and 5, leading to his removal from the remaining U.S. tour dates. Ed Sheeran stated the decision was made by tour promoters, while Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium, confirmed he and Sheeran would each donate $2 million to humanitarian aid. Ms. Rachel had previously spoken out in support of Macklemore, criticizing Sheeran for caving to pressure. Her latest pledge escalates her involvement from vocal support to direct financial contribution, matching Macklemore’s donation and urging other wealthy celebrities to follow suit.

How outlets are covering it

Billboard, The Guardian, Rolling Stone, and Variety all report on Ms. Rachel’s pledge to match Macklemore’s $1 million donation, but emphasize different aspects. Billboard focuses on the financial pledge and Accurso’s call to other wealthy celebrities, highlighting her statement about the moral obligation to protect children. The Guardian provides additional context on the donation’s destination (Palestine Children’s Relief Fund) and Accurso’s broader activism, including her previous fundraising efforts. Rolling Stone offers a deeper profile of Accurso, detailing her background, the origins of Ms. Rachel, and the personal toll of her activism, including harassment and security concerns. Variety emphasizes the broader controversy, including Sheeran’s statement on neutrality and the backlash Accurso has faced for speaking out, as well as her previous involvement in other causes like ICE and the Dilley Immigration Processing Center. All sources agree on the core facts: the $1 million match, the call to other celebrities, and the context of Macklemore’s removal from the tour. However, they differ in emphasis: Billboard and Variety focus on the financial and celebrity activism aspects, The Guardian adds the specific donation destination, and Rolling Stone provides a more personal and contextual profile of Accurso.

Why it matters

Ms. Rachel’s pledge to match Macklemore’s $1 million donation to Palestinian aid organizations represents a significant escalation in celebrity activism surrounding the Gaza conflict. As a children’s entertainer with over 21 million YouTube subscribers, Accurso’s decision to donate and call on other wealthy celebrities to do the same amplifies the pressure on public figures to take a stance. Her pledge, combined with the $2 million each from Ed Sheeran and Robert Kraft, brings the total known celebrity donations to at least $5 million. This move also highlights the growing divide between celebrities who choose to speak out and those who maintain neutrality, as exemplified by Sheeran’s statement. Accurso’s decision to direct funds to the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, a specific organization, adds a layer of accountability and focus to the donation. The controversy also underscores the risks and backlash faced by celebrities who speak out on political issues, as Accurso has faced harassment and security concerns due to her activism.

What to watch

The next steps will likely involve monitoring whether other wealthy celebrities follow Ms. Rachel’s call to match the $1 million donation. The specific organizations receiving the funds from Kraft and Sheeran remain unclear, but the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund is confirmed for Accurso’s donation. The tour will continue without Macklemore and several supporting acts, and the controversy may continue to generate public debate and potential further withdrawals or statements from other artists. Accurso’s ongoing activism and potential further donations or public statements will also be watched, as will any response from the organizations receiving the funds. The broader impact on the Loop Tour and its remaining dates, as well as any potential legal or promotional consequences for the involved parties, will also be monitored.