10 Celeb Reactions to the LA Wildfires
Beyonce
Due to the devastating wildfires, Queen B postponed her highly anticipated “January 14 announcement” to a later date. Beyonce had teased that she was going to reveal “something special” after her halftime performance at the Ravens-Texans Christmas football game. The singer further said in a statement on Instagram, “I continue to pray for healing and rebuilding for the families suffering from trauma and loss. We are so blessed to have brave first responders who continue to work tirelessly to protect the Los Angeles community." Beyoncé encouraged fans to support relief efforts through her BeyGood Foundation’s website and revealed that the foundation has already donated $2.5 million to L.A. relief funds.
Mandy Moore
Singer and actress Mandy Moore shared the heartbreaking aftermath of the wildfires in her neighborhood, posting on Instagram about the devastation. She wrote, in part, “Miraculously, the main part of our house is still standing. For now.” And, “Everyone we know lost everything.” She added that she feels “weird survivor’s guilt,” but will do everything she can to “help rebuild and support.” Meanwhile, Moore’s “This Is Us” co-star, Milo Ventimiglia, reflected on the “eerie” similarity between the fires and a storyline from the show, in which his character died as a result of smoke inhalation from a house fire. He said, “It’s not lost on me, life imitating art.”
Mel Gibson
Actor Mel Gibson is one of the many celebrities to reveal that his house was completely destroyed in the LA fires, remarking, “It’s kind of devastating. It’s emotional.” The “Mad Max” star later caused a stir during an interview with Fox News' Laura Ingraham. During the chat, Gibson speculated that the fires may have been "commissioned" to clear people from valuable land. He went on to openly question water shortages, wind conditions, and the preparedness of suspected arsonists. This, while calling the situation “scary” and likening the proposed high-density housing to "old cattle barons clearing people off the land."
Meghan Markle
In response to the devastating wildfires in her hometown of Los Angeles, The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, has postponed the release of her Netflix series which was originally set to premiere on January 15, 2025. “With Love, Meghan,” a tribute to Southern California’s beauty, was delayed with Netflix’s full support. In a joint statement, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex also highlighted the fires’ severe impact on families, homes, and essential services. They urged donations to organizations like World Central Kitchen, CAL FIRE, and the LA Fire Department Foundation. The couple also revealed to People Magazine that they are hosting evacuated friends and loved ones in their home.
Jamie Lee Curtis
Actress Jamie Lee Curtis became emotional during a January 8 appearance on “The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon.” Discussing the devastation of the Palisades Fire near her California home, Curtis described the situation as “gnarly.” She also described the situation as a catastrophe in Southern California, noting, “This is literally where I live. Everything.” She shared that many of her friends have lost their homes and underlined that it was a “really awful situation.” Following her own evacuation from Pacific Palisades, Curtis announced a $1 million donation to establish a “fund of support” for those affected by the fires.
Jon Stewart
On Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show,” Jon Stewart took aim at conservative attacks on California leadership for their handling of the state’s devastating wildfires - the costliest in U.S. history. Stewart condemned congressional Republicans for tying wildfire aid to federal debt limit negotiations. While acknowledging room for improvement in leadership and infrastructure, Stewart concluded, “Sometimes fires f*ck a tornado and makes a mockery of human infrastructure and our ability to dictate the terms of our existence on this planet.” He ended by saying that it shouldn’t influence the cruelty we show to those in pain, simply because
“we don't think they consistently vote right.”
Spencer Pratt
In some unexpected news, former “The Hills” star Spencer Pratt tearfully thanked fans for helping his wife Heidi Montag’s 2010 debut album "Superficial” reach No. 1 on iTunes - some 15 years after its release. Pratt put out a call to fans to stream his wife’s 2010 album after he announced that his and Montag’s Pacific Palisades home was destroyed in the Los Angeles wildfires. Spencer expressed the emotional impact of the achievement, saying, “For it to finally get No. 1 in America, 15 years after… Do you know how many times we’ve cried and how much regret we’ve had? It feels so good.”
Have you been following the catastrophic Los Angeles wildfires? Share your reactions in the comments below.
