Ms. Rachel Backlash Gets Olivia Munn Article Yanked

People magazine did something the outlet almost never does: delete an article.

The now-removed piece — originally published Sunday, June 8, as a spinoff from Olivia Munn’s recent cover story — featured her comments about children’s TV shows.

In it, the 44-year-old actress admitted she doesn’t let her kids — 3-year-old Malcolm and 8-month-old Méi, both of whom she shares with husband John Mulaney — watch Ms. Rachel, saying, “I know kids love [her], but if I can’t watch it, I’m not going to spend the rest of my life going crazy.” She also called out Blue’s Clues and Spider-Man for driving her “crazy.”

The reaction was swift and far more intense than anyone predicted.

Fans of Ms. Rachel (real name Rachel Griffin Accurso) quickly sounded off online. Some interpreted Munn’s quote as an attack, not just on the 42-year-old YouTube star, but on someone who’s recently become known for speaking out on behalf of children in Gaza.

Ms. Rachel addressed the situation directly in a since-deleted Instagram comment under People’s post, writing, “WHO CARES?! I’d rather you cover me advocating for kids in Gaza who are literally starving… do better!!! Not against [Munn] at all and don't care that she doesn't want to watch the show… disappointed in the outlets.”

The internet sensation later wrote on her own account that she and Munn had spoken privately. “Please be kind to Olivia & her precious family,” she said. “I don’t believe in hate, attacks or hurtful comments.”

Munn also spoke out via Instagram Story, writing: “To Ms Rachel and your fans, I hear and respect the passion behind your support. I never anticipated the media would single out one small thing I said and distort it like they have… I don’t want something taken out of context to be a moment that steals even a minute of joy for anyone.”

Mulaney, 42, weighed in the same day. “An innocent comment my wife Olivia Munn made about what children’s programs we like has somehow -unbelievably- been conflated with not caring about the deaths of children in Gaza,” he wrote. “Because of this, my wife and my two kids are now receiving violent and threatening comments… This kind of behavior isn’t activism.”

People explained its decision to delete the post in a statement: “There is no excuse for these abhorrent attacks, and we will always prioritize safety above all else.”

Ms. Rachel, who has more than 15 million YouTube subscribers, has repeatedly said her mission is about helping kids everywhere. “I will risk my career over and over to stand up for them,” she told WBUR in an interview published earlier this month. “It's all about the kids for me.”