Rachel Accurso – better known to millions as Ms Rachel – is Glamour’s Woman of the Year. Here are six things you might not know about the YouTube star.
Last night, Glamour magazine held its prestigious Women of the Year Awards last night at the Plaza in New York City, with Rachel Accurso scooping the top Woman of the Year Award.
Rachel is known to millions of pre-schoolers – and their parents – across the world as Ms Rachel, the wholesome teacher who teaches toddlers about numbers, letters and the world around them through fun songs and games. The Ms Rachel YouTube channel has had billions of views, and it has spawned a Netflix show as well as a range of merchandising.
But it is not for that alone that Rachel won Glamour’s award – it is for her advocacy work in speaking up for the children of Gaza over the past 12 months that helped to clinch the title. She has raised awareness or children’s rights and suffering and has emphasised that all children, regardless of background, deserve safety, food and care. While it is separate to her Ms Rachel work, it has garnered her death threats, but she has continued.
Songwriting talent
Rachel grew up in Maine, where from a young age she developed an interest in singing and songwriting – often devising her own songs on her piano. In her teenage years, she got involved in musical theater, including appearing in a production of ‘Annie’ alongside Anna Kendrick, who has also done rather well in later years.
Inspired by her son
Being a YouTube star wasn’t even thought of for Rachel until after her son, Thomas was born. When it became apparent he had a speech delay, Rachel looked for resources to help him – and struggled to find what she wanted. It was then that she hit upon the idea of making a show that encouraged language development, with a real person fronting it using songs to help get the learning across. From here, ‘Songs for Littles’ and the Ms Rachel persona was born, using the skills she had picked up when helping Thomas.
Former teacher
But Rachel also had a wealth of teaching skills to help her with her videos. For some years she worked as a music teacher in New York City public schools. Here, she honed her communication skills, but also realised the power of music for helping children – those with and without disabilities.
She also has a master’s degree in early childhood development, which means that all her videos are rooted in educational value.
Collaborating with her husband
Music is central to Ms Rachel’s videos, and for this, Rachel often collaborates with her husband, Aron Accurso – who often also appears in videos as Mr Aron – who has worked on Broadway as an associate musical director. Together, they devise much of the musci that is used on the show.
It is through his work on Broadway that has meant he could use his contacts to bring stars such as Keisha Giles to appear on episodes of Ms Rachel. Aron also does much of the puppetry work seen in episodes of the show.
Inspired by Mr Rogers
Rachel has said that her work is inspired by Fred Rogers, who was a staple on US children’s television for more than 30 years with his show ‘Mr Rogers’ Neighbourhood’. Over that time, Mr Rogers introduced children to a range of issues, all through his trademark gentle style, and is beloved by many to this day. Like Ms Rachel, Mr Rogers was committed to education, but also promoting themes of love, inclusivity and tolerance.
Iconic look
Ms Rachel’s look is almost as famous as she is – and people have dressed up as her for fancy dress parties in recent years. But the trademark pink t-shirt and headband and blue overalls came about by accident, and goes back to when she did music classes when her son was a baby. In a TikTok, she said the headband came about because she didn’t have time to do anything with her hair, while the overalls were ‘childlike and fun’ while the pink is just because it’s a colour she loves.
