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Ms. Rachel Matches Macklemore's $1 Million Gaza Donation — and Dares Other Stars to Do the Same
The children's YouTube star says she'll match Macklemore's tour earnings donation to Palestinian aid groups, and is challenging "every wealthy white celebrity" to join in.
Ms. Rachel, the children's educator and YouTube star known for "Songs for Littles," announced Thursday she will match rapper Macklemore's $1 million donation to organizations supporting Palestinians, turning a music-industry controversy into a widening celebrity fundraising push.
Macklemore said he would donate his entire net earnings from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour — roughly $1 million — to six organizations working directly with Palestinians, a pledge that followed his removal from the remaining U.S. dates of Sheeran's tour after he performed his protest song "Hind's Hall" and led "Free Palestine" chants at MetLife Stadium, according to Deadline.
A Public Challenge
Ms. Rachel, who serves as an ambassador for the Palestine Children's Relief Fund, said she would direct her matching $1 million to the organization and publicly urged other wealthy entertainers to follow suit, according to Variety. Macklemore praised the move online, thanking her for matching the pledge and amplifying pressure on other artists to contribute.
"EVERY WEALTHY WHITE CELEBRITY" SHOULD MATCH IT.
The gesture is the latest turn in a week of fallout from Macklemore's tour exit, which also saw fellow artist Finneas step away from Sheeran's remaining shows in solidarity. Ms. Rachel, whose YouTube channel reaches millions of young children and their parents, has increasingly used her platform for humanitarian causes over the past year, a shift that has drawn both praise from fans and criticism from those who argue children's entertainers should stay out of geopolitics.
What's Next
Neither Ms. Rachel nor Macklemore has said how quickly the combined $2 million will reach aid organizations on the ground, though the Palestine Children's Relief Fund has said it is prepared to direct new donations toward medical and nutrition programs for children in Gaza. The public challenge has already prompted chatter among other musicians and influencers about whether they'll answer the call, with several industry watchers predicting more matching pledges in the days ahead.