Ed Sheeran Backlash: Ms Rachel Says 'Every Wealthy White Celebrity' Should Match Macklemore's $1M Donation

Ms Rachel has pledged $1 million (£748,000) to the Palestine Children's Relief Fund, matching a donation Macklemore announced after his removal from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour.

The children's educator, whose full name is Rachel Griffin Accurso, announced the contribution on Instagram on Thursday, 17 September, and invited other wealthy celebrities to do the same.

Macklemore said a day earlier that he would donate the full $1 million in net earnings he received from his work on Sheeran's US tour to six organisations supporting Palestinians.

His announcement followed his removal from the remaining US dates after a dispute over remarks he made during Sheeran's MetLife Stadium concerts in New Jersey earlier this month.

Accurso said she would match Macklemore's contribution with a $1 million donation to the Palestine Children's Relief Fund and wrote that she invited 'every wealthy white celebrity' to match it. She also urged public figures to use their platforms to speak about the suffering of children in Gaza.

In her statement, Accurso referred to what she called the 'genocide in Gaza.' The term reflects her characterisation and is not presented here as an independent legal finding.

UNICEF says at least 21,700 children had been reported killed in Gaza as of 30 June 2026. The agency also reported that 45,000 children had been injured, including more than 11,000 with life-altering injuries.

Ed Sheeran Tour Fallout Widens After Macklemore's Removal

The controversy followed Macklemore's appearances at MetLife Stadium on 4 and 5 September, where he performed his protest song 'Hind's Hall' and spoke publicly in support of Palestinians, including saying 'Free Palestine.'

Tour promoter Messina Touring Group said Macklemore was removed after venue owners declined to host shows that included him. Macklemore later identified New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, whose company owns Gillette Stadium, as one of the people who opposed his continued participation.

Kraft confirmed that he objected to Macklemore performing at Gillette Stadium. In a statement, he cited the rapper's recent actions, material shown during the New Jersey concerts and what Kraft described as a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery.

Kraft also said his decision was not intended to diminish Palestinian suffering or prevent advocacy on behalf of Palestinians, adding that he would be willing to speak with Macklemore.

Sheeran later said Macklemore's removal was the promoter's decision, not his, noting that Macklemore's tour contract was with the promoter.

The dispute was followed by further withdrawals. Finneas, Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe pulled out of scheduled opening appearances, while Beoga, which had been performing as Sheeran's touring band, also left the tour.

Ed Sheeran Tour Fallout Shifts Towards Humanitarian Giving

Macklemore's subsequent donation moved part of the public discussion towards humanitarian aid. He said the $1 million would be divided among six organisations supporting Palestinians and challenged Kraft to match the amount.

Kraft later said that, before Macklemore issued that challenge, Sheeran had contacted him and asked him to commit $2 million (£1,497,244.00) to match Sheeran's own $2 million contribution towards humanitarian aid in the region. Kraft did not identify the organisations that would receive the money.

Accurso's pledge added another high-profile contribution. The Palestine Children's Relief Fund named her a global ambassador in 2025, saying she had supported its fundraising work and developed a friendship with Rahaf, a young survivor from Gaza who was receiving treatment in the United States.

Macklemore acknowledged Accurso's announcement on social media after she disclosed the matching contribution.

Sheeran's Loop Tour is scheduled to resume at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Saturday, 19 September. The concert remains listed on the venue's official schedule.