Maine native Rachel Accurso, better known to millions of internet-watching toddlers as Ms. Rachel, recently announced her mega-popular online children’s show is coming to Netflix starting Jan. 27.
Accurso made the announcement in a typically bright, playful Instagram video, while revealing the “letter of the day” as a big, red Netflix logo “N.”
“More ways to watch,” she said, clapping her hands.
Accurso, 42, already has more than 13 million YouTube subscribers and millions more fans on Instagram and TikTok.
Born in Biddeford, Accurso grew up in Sanford and graduated from the University of Southern Maine. She earned a master’s degree in music from New York University before teaching in the city’s public school system.
Accurso, along with her husband, a Broadway music director, started her YouTube channel in 2019, just in time to entertain countless bored-and-housebound children across the country during the pandemic. The initial effort was in response to the lack of appropriate children’s programming for their son, who had a speech delay.
The New York Times, which profiled Accurso in November, described her educational shorts as “Taylor Swift for toddlers,” with “bursts of animation and Broadway-worthy show tunes.”
Last June, Accurso stirred a bit of controversy by saying, “Happy Pride to all of our wonderful families and friends,” during a video. Some viewers stopped watching.
“This is disturbing,” wrote one. “We will not be turning you on anymore. Keep this drag queen away from my kids at all costs!!!”
It didn’t seem to phase Accurso, who said, up front: “To those that are going to comment they can’t watch this show anymore because of this support, no worries and much love your way. God bless. I am not chasing fame or views. I am standing strong in love.”
Accurso has also received some criticism for showing support for children in war-torn Ukraine, Gaza and Democratic Republic of Congo.
Last year, she offered to make videos on Cameo, a website that allows users to pay for a personalized video, with all proceeds going to Save the Children’s emergency fund. In just a few hours, Accurso raised more than $50,000 from 500 requests.
However, according to NBC News, Accurso was bullied and criticized so much for the move, she disabled comments on all her YouTube videos.
Also last year, while making the celebrity talk show rounds, Accurso brought Drew Barrymore to tears, giving the former child star an outfit like her own, including a trademark denim jump suit, T-shirt and pastel-colored headband.
The new Netflix deal goes alongside Accurso’s already lucrative media presence, including a multibook deal with Random House, a line of toys and branded T-shirts, pajamas and bathing suits, according to the New York Times.
The Times also reports the four-episode Netflix season of “Ms. Rachel” starting this month will include 30-to-60-minute lessons that teach numbers, letters, colors and shapes. More episodes are scheduled to be available later in the year, as well.
At the same time, Accurso’s videos will continue to stream for free on YouTube.