John Mulaney condemns threats against family after Olivia Munn's Ms. Rachel comments

John Mulaney condemns threats against family after Olivia Munn's Ms. Rachel comments
Show Caption
Hide Caption
Olivia Munn rejected seven-figure-offer after 'traumatic' on-set incident
During an appearance on Monica Lewinsky's 'Reclaiming' podcast, Olivia Munn revealed that she rejected a seven-figure offer to sign an NDA after a 'traumatic' on-set incident.
unbranded - Entertainment
John Mulaney is speaking out against violent threats directed at his family.
The comedian, 42, said in an Instagram story on Wednesday, June 11, that his wife, Olivia Munn, and their kids have been receiving "violent and threatening" comments and messages because she made an "innocent comment" about "what children's programs we like," which has "somehow — unbelievably — been conflated with not caring about the deaths of children in Gaza."
Munn recently sparked backlash after she told People magazine she doesn't allow her children to watch YouTube star Ms. Rachel. Ms. Rachel, whose real name is Rachel Griffin Accurso, has been outspoken in her advocacy for Palestinian children, though Munn made no mention of this in the interview.
"This is absolutely insane and needs to stop," Mulaney wrote. "The people doing this are so wildly out of line and so unhelpful to any conversation. You took a nothing comment to a dark and dangerous place. This kind of behavior isn't activism."
In the original People article, which is no longer available on the magazine's website, Munn said that while "I know kids love (Ms. Rachel)," the "thing is, if I can't watch it, I'm not going to spend the rest of my life going crazy." She added, "These kid shows drive me crazy." Munn also said that "Blue's Clues" is not allowed in her house, either, and that she "can't take" children's cartoons.
Ms. Rachel defends advocacy for Palestinian children amid backlash: 'It's sad'
Accurso reacted to the comments on Instagram by asking, "WHO CARES?!" She shared screenshots from two Instagram posts about Munn's statements and questioned why media outlets were focusing on this instead of Accurso's advocacy for children in Gaza.
"I'd rather you cover me advocating for kids in Gaza who are literally starving, largest cohort of child amputees in modern history, thousands & thousands killed — no medical care, no education, no homes… do better!!!" she wrote, clarifying she doesn't "care that (Munn) doesn't want to watch the show" and sends "all my love to her and her family."
Celebrities tell all about aging, marriage and Beyoncé in these 10 bingeable memoirs
In a statement posted on Instagram on June 12, Accurso urged her followers to "please be kind" to Munn and her family and condemned "hate, attacks or hurtful comments." She said that her callout of the People article wasn't about Munn but rather about being frustrated with seeing "stories that don't matter" while "children's immeasurable suffering is being ignored."
The YouTube star also revealed she has been in touch with Munn.
"I know some outlets would love to cover a feud between two women, but guess what? That doesn't exist," she said. "Her and I have been in touch and we are both choosing kindness."
In a since-expired Instagram story, Munn wrote that her "comments were never meant to diminish the joy, comfort, and impact (Ms. Rachel) brings to so many families," according to Entertainment Weekly. "Every parent understands the importance of finding meaningful programming that helps us connect with our kids. I don't want something taken out of context to be a moment that steals even a minute of joy for anyone."

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Miami Herald

4 hours ago

• Miami Herald

Where to Eat, Drink and Chill in Kauai's Tastiest Beach Town

Before traveling to Hawaii for the first time, I spent hours browsing through Instagram and TikTok foodie posts. Gathering ideas for all the delicious meals I'd eat, I had high expectations for the food in Poipu Beach, located on the south shore of Kauai. As it turns out, this island's food scene impressed me even more than expected. From nicer, more sophisticated spots like Red Salt Restaurant to quick bar bites at Kalapaki Joe's, check out these best Kauai food and drink spots on your next visit. These must-visit restaurants in Kauai won't let you down. I love Indian food and will make a point to grab it during any trip. This tucked-away restaurant, "That Indian Place", has excellent food and will adjust to your spice preferences. I ordered the butter chicken (mild) and the chicken sagwala (mild), along with some garlic naan bread. The local atmosphere and outdoor dining patio really made this place stand out as one of my favorite spots to eat throughout the whole trip. Top menu items Mango LassiButter ChickenChicken Tikka MasalaChicken SagwalaPaneer Tikka Stop by Brennecke's Beach Broiler as you stroll along Poipu Beach for a lively, vibrant atmosphere. Locals and visitors alike know this top spot as one of the best places for food and drink on Kauai. While crowded, you can grab some phenomenal bites here as well as tropical-style frozen cocktails. I loved the desserts here too. If you plan on doing some appetizer or bar hopping along the main strip, definitely make this restaurant/bar a must-visit spot. Top menu items Seafood Pupu PlatterMango MadnessLava Lava FlowPineapple Rum Upside Down Cake If you want to try a Loco Moco, stop by Red Salt Restaurant, attached to the beautiful Ko'a Kea Resort. This spot served the best Loco Moco I had while in Hawaii. A Loco Moco is a Hawaiian favorite comfort food, made with white rice, gravy, a hamburger patty, and topped with a fried egg. It sounds interesting, but trust me once you try it, you'll want to order it time and time again. The ocean views from this restaurant also set the scene for a nice meal. Top menu items Lemon Pineapple PancakesLoco Moco Acai Bowl Unlike other islands with numerous national chains, Kauai offers a more locally inspired dining scene. This laid-back, down-to-earth island provides numerous options for fresh, local seafood, including mahimahi, ahi tuna, and ono. The island also has many traditional Hawaiian plates to try. I highly recommend trying at least one classic Hawaiian dish, such as the Loco Moco, during your visit. You'll also find spam musubi almost everywhere, another classic food in Kauai. Where to Stay in Kauai, Hawaii's Gorgeous Garden IsleBest Time to Visit Hawaii: A Month-by-Month GuideUnwind & Recharge: Choosing the Ideal Hawaiian Island for Your Family Getaway10 Dreamy Honeymoon Spots in the USA20 Fun Things to Do in Hawaii with Kids The post Where to Eat, Drink and Chill in Kauai's Tastiest Beach Town appeared first on She Buys Travel. Copyright © 2025 SheBuysTravel · All Rights Reserved

USA Today

4 hours ago

• USA Today

Is Philly water ice the same as Italian ice? No, and here's why

Philly-style water ice makes a great 7th inning treat – Photo courtesy of Catherine Smith This article, originally published in June 2019, was updated in June 2025. Fans of the podcast "Not Gonna Lie with Kylie Kelce" recently discovered another 'uniquely Philly' passion of Kelce's: water ice. 'WTF is water ice? Are we talking about snow cones?' asked YouTube viewer @treysullivan9248. Kelce, like any true Philadelphian, aggressively but understandably, clarified: 'No, Trey! We are not talking about snow cones!' Advertisement Kelce — media personality, podcast host, and wife of retired Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce — went on to say that water ice is a Philadelphia summer staple that's basically frozen sugar water. "You can't go wrong with it,' she said. What is Philly-style water ice? Philly kids love their Philadelphia water ice – Photo courtesy of Catherine Smith Most similar to a fresh fruit slushie, water ice has been Philadelphia's favorite summer treat for generations. Each spring, as the weather starts to warm up and hint at summer, we celebrate with our favorite seasonal treat. Moms line up with their kids at their favorite water ice stands. Excited children study the freezer full of colorful tubs. One asks, "Can I have strawberry on the bottom and mango on top?' T​​he teenager behind the counter happily obliges, filling the bottom half of the ​​plastic cup with an icy strawberry mixture and topping it off with another pale-yellow scoop. Advertisement While Philadelphians have been enjoying water ice for generations, the consumption of ice and fruit combinations goes back a couple of thousand years to ancient Sicily (and can be traced even further back to Asia, Persia, and Mesopotamia). To beat the summer heat, according to food historian Liz Williams, ancient Sicilians devised creative means to both refresh and delight. Long before the invention of coolers and refrigeration, the people of Sicily were ingeniously experimenting with ice. Runners were sent up the almost 11,000-foot Mount Etna, Europe's highest active volcano, to collect snow and ice that could be combined with lemons, limes, and other fresh fruits to create a cool and refreshing summer treat. Over the years, Sicilians mastered a method of storing the ice in caverns beneath the volcano before transporting it to other parts of Italy. As they did so, the practice of mixing ice and fruit, known as granita, spread throughout Italy. Different regions developed their own versions of the fruit and ice combination, as well as sorbets and gelato. Fast forward some 2,000 years to the early 1900s, at the peak of Italian immigration to the United States. Approximately 2 million Italians immigrated here at that time, the majority coming from Southern Italy with hopes of escaping the intense poverty back home. Advertisement Men and women looked for creative ways — like peddling granita — to make money while establishing themselves and seeking employment. Just as the different regions of Italy developed different versions of granita over the years, American cities with high concentrations of Italians, especially Sicilians, began developing their versions. How do you serve Philadelphia water ice? Traditional water ice (pronounced "wooder ice" with the local accent) is made with three simple ingredients: fresh fruit, sugar and water. While it was once made by hand, today the ingredients are combined in a metal, cylindrical machine. A mixer inside the metal barrel rotates and scrapes the edges as the mixture begins to freeze and stick to the walls. After reaching the correct consistency, the water ice is transferred into tubs and served up fresh. Where is Philadelphia water ice made? Enjoy a refreshing treat at John's Water Ice – Photo courtesy of Kae Lani Palmisano As water ice has grown in popularity, new stands and mass-produced water ice franchises have popped up. Kids especially love Rita's Water Ice, a chain now available in over 30 states. Two of Philadelphia's most beloved water ice stands are John's Water Ice and Pop's Homemade Water Ice. John Cardullo, founder of John's Water Ice, owned a diner in the heart of South Philly's Italian Market neighborhood and often served water ice as a dessert. In 1945, as the water ice grew in popularity, he decided to close the diner, turn it into office space for his heating repair company, and open a simple water ice stand next door. Advertisement The two seasonal businesses provided Cardullo with steady income in both winter and summer. John's Water Ice still operates out of this original location on Christian Street, with a second location in Huntingdon Valley. Filippo Italiano of Pop's Homemade Water Ice sold his homemade Italian water ice from a cart he pushed around the neighborhood. As word of his refreshing treat spread, children and families began lining up outside his garage waiting for him to open. Since he lived across the street from an urban park, Italiano realized he was well-known enough to quit lugging his heavy cart around in the heat and let people come to him instead. In 1932, he converted his garage into a storefront. Decades later, his grandchildren still serve water ice out of this same location. Advertisement If you're visiting Philadelphia, head over to one of the mom-and-pop stands where you know you'll be met with the tastiest and most authentic Philadelphia water ice experience. Just be prepared, as many are cash only. John's is easily walkable from the Liberty Bell and Center City, while Pop's is located right off the Broad Street Line subway, a perfect place to stop before or after a Phillies game.

Elle

5 hours ago

• Elle

All About David Corenswet's Wife, Julia Warner

Superman actor David Corenswet plays a man leading an epic double-life. The star has some experience there, because he keeps his off-screen world extremely private. Corenswet is married to his wife, Julia Best Warner, with whom he shares one child. But his Instagram is almost entirely promotion for the upcoming DC flick and he has shared very little info about his family. Here's everything that is known about Warner and her relationship with the superhero. Like Corenswet, Warner is an actor. Per her LinkedIn profile, she studied Fine Arts in Theater Arts Acting at Point Park University in Pittsburgh. According to her IMDb page, she has also tried her hand at producing and directing, and has credits with The Baby Sitters Pub, Ratched, and Pretty Little Things. In 2018, she wrote a tribute to her work at the Pittsburgh Playhouse. She seems to be close to her family, and posted about cutting down the family Christmas tree with other Warners in 2020. And she and Corenswet share a Cavalier King Charles spaniel named Ira: 'He's less of a doggy, more of a toddler,' Corenswet told People, adding that the seven-year-old dog 'has a wonderful mohawk, a natural tuft of hair right between his eyes, which is the reason he's disqualified from being shown [making him] adoptable.' According to an interview with People in June 2025, the pair met as teenagers at a Pennsylvania summer theater program and had a 'slow-burn' romance. They were married in March 2023. In 2022, Warner shared a carousel of pics that included Corenswet. Corenswet and Warner welcomed a daughter in 2024, though they have kept her name private. In his interview with People, Corenswet said, 'I feel like I've been a dad for a long time, and just waiting for a kid to prove it. My dad was an enthusiastic father and stayed home with my sister for a period when she was very little, and was very good with kids. And so I think I just inherited that. I liked being a camp counselor, and I have terrible jokes that nobody laughs at.' The baby arrived in close conjunction with the beginning of his Superman journey, prompting him to add, 'Two big unknown things at the same time. And they were both great things.'