The recent wildfires that swept through Los Angeles have caused catastrophic damage; destroying homes, businesses, and leaving entire communities in ruins.
While the impact of the LA fires has been felt by many, there are several well-known celebrities, including Paris Hilton, Mandy Moore, and Billy Crystal, who have also experienced the heartbreaking loss of their homes.
G-Flip and their wife, Chrishell Stause, have evacuated their Hollywood Hills home. “Myself, Chrishell and Gracie had to evacuate our house in a hurry but we are safe in my studio. Be safe LA friends,” the Australian musician wrote on Instagram.
Actress and model Molly Sims shared a tearful message on Instagram, noting she didn’t know if her house was burned down.
“Our community is beyond devastated. We are all pulling together, a lot of my friends have lost their homes, I’m waiting to see if our home will be there,” she said. “Right now, it’s just a waiting game.”
Stars such as the Kardashians, Britney Spears, and Dua Lipa also evacuated their respective homes.
Celebrities including Eugene Levy, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Anna Faris, Anthony Hopkins, Kendall Jenner, Miles Teller, Adam Brody and Leighton Meester have lost their homes to the fires.
“As we struggle to heal from the devastation of these fires, it’s important we remember that the only thing we take with us is the love we give,” Hopkins wrote in a statement.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s home in Montecito is a few hours’ drive from the affected areas. The royals shared a rare statement on their Sussex.com website about the unfolding tragedy, along with volunteering.
From actors to musicians, these public figures have found themselves in the midst of an unimaginable crisis. Here’s what they have said about the unfolding tragedy.
Milo Ventimiglia
The This Is Us actor lost his house to the fire, mourning the loss of what would have been his child’s first home. The actor is currently expecting his first child with his wife, Jarah, and they had recently set up their baby’s room.
The couple evacuated on Tuesday, and watched on security cameras as the flames from the Palisades Fire took over.
“You start thinking about all the memories in different parts of the house and what not,” he said. “And then you see your neighbours’ houses and everything kind of around, and your heart just breaks.”
“We’ll make do. Wife and baby and dog are most important,” he said on TV.
The actor told reporters “you know, it’s not lost on me, life imitating art,” referencing the fact that his This Is Us character tragically died in a house fire. Fortunately, Ventimiglia and his family were safe.
Joshua Jackson
The Dawson’s Creek star shared a heartfelt statement after learning his house had burned down.
“First and most importantly, all the people closest to me affected by the fire are OK,” Jackson said in a statement. “My daughter, my family, my neighbours all made it out safely.”
“Sadly my beautiful home did not survive the fires,” he added. “But today, I feel incredibly lucky to be surrounded by the people I love.”
The news was made even more tragic based on the reports that it was Jackon’s own childhood home, which he bought back from the man who bought it from his parents.
“What I’ve realised in this last year is I never got to experience the love of a father. And I’m getting to experience it now. And that’s what this house is for,” he told People Magazine at the time, of his ability to raise his daughter in his own childhood home. He said repurchasing the home had been “a very healing thing for me to do.”
Paris Hilton
The Simple Life star Paris Hilton wrote on Instagram that she was “heartbroken” as she watched her home burn to the ground on live television.
“Heartbroken beyond words,” she shared in an Instagram post on January 8. “Sitting with my family, watching the news, and seeing our home in Malibu burn to the ground on live TV is something no one should ever have to experience. This home was where we built so many precious memories. It’s where Phoenix took his first steps and where we dreamed of building a lifetime of memories with London.
“While the loss is overwhelming, I’m holding onto gratitude that my family and pets are safe,” her statement continued, before she shared her love for all impacted.
“My heart and prayers are going out to every family affected by these fires. To all the people who have lost their homes, their memories, and their beloved pets. My heart aches for those still in harm’s way or mourning greater losses. The devastation is unimaginable. To know so many are waking up today without the place they called home is truly heartbreaking. My 11:11 Media Impact Team is already reaching out to nonprofit organisations today to figure out how we can best support the communities impacted by these fires. We’re committed to offering help as soon as possible and making a meaningful difference for those who need it most.”
She thanked firefighters and first responders for “risking their lives to protect us”.
“You are true heroes. I am so grateful for your courage, dedication, and the incredible sacrifices you’re making to save lives and fight this unimaginable battle. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Her statement ended with calls for her fellow LA residents to follow evacuation orders.
“We’re in this together, LA. Hug your loved ones a little tighter tonight. You never know when everything could change,” she signed off.
Billy Crystal
Billy Crystal and his wife, Janice Crystal, have also lost their home of 46 years.
“Words cannot describe the enormity of the devastation we are witnessing and experiencing. We ache for our friends and neighbours who have also lost their homes and businesses in this tragedy,” the actor said in a statement shared with People Magazine.
“Janice and I lived in our home since 1979. We raised our children and grandchildren here. Every inch of our house was filled with love. Beautiful memories that can’t be taken away. We are heartbroken of course but with the love of our children and friends we will get through this.”
“We pray for the safety of the firefighters and first responders,” Crystal’s statement continued. “The Pacific Palisades is a resilient community of amazing people and we know in time it will rise again. It is our home.”
Mandy Moore
Actress and singer Mandy Moore shared a video of streets in Altadena on her Instagram, saying she was in shock as she fled her neighbourhood.
“I love you, Altadena,” she wrote on Instagram. “Grateful for my family and pets getting out last night before it was too late (and endless gratitude to friends for taking us in and bringing us clothes and blankets).
“Honestly, I’m in shock and feeling numb for all so many have lost, including my family. My children’s school is gone. Our favourite restaurants, levelled. So many friends and loved ones have lost everything too. Our community is broken but we will be here to rebuild together. Sending love to all affected and on the front lines trying to get this under control.”
She later shared a GoFundMe for her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Griff and Kit, who lost their home and all their possessions in the Eaton Fire.
“With their first baby on the way in a matter of weeks, they need our support now more than ever,” Moore wrote on Instagram.
“Griff is a touring musician and also lost his entire arsenal of drums/percussion he uses to make a living. It’s all so much. So many have asked how to help during this unimaginable and stressful time…Please consider donating and sharing to help them rebuild.”
The actress copped backlash for the GoFundMe with people citing her reported (and unconfirmed) $14 million USD net worth, and questioning whether she was contributing her own money to help her relatives.
Moore addressed the criticism in a follow-up statement, writing: “People questioning whether we’re helping out our own family or attributing some arbitrary amount of money google says someone has is NOT helpful or empathetic. Of course we are.
“Our buddy Matt started this go fund me and I’m sharing because people have asked how they can help them. We just lost most of our life in a fire too. Kindly F OFF. no one is forcing you to do anything.”
Rebel Wilson
Rebel Wilson has shared that her cat is safe, after the feline had to be rescued when her Hollywood Hills home with wife, Ramona Agruma, was caught in the path of the devastating fires.
It’s unclear whether Rebel, Ramona and their two-year-old daughter, Royce, were in LA at the time, but she shared a vague post on Instagram, with an image of the fires over West Hollywood.
“Can not believe this,” Wilson wrote. “Thank you [her friend] Ornela for saving our cat.”
Cary Elwes
The Princess Bride star has also confirmed on Wednesday that his family had safely evacuated but said his Malibu home was destroyed.
“Sadly we did lose our home but we are grateful to have survived this truly devastating fire,” he wrote. “Our hearts go out to all the families impacted by this tragic event and we also wish to extend our gratitude to all the fire fighters, first responders and law enforcement who worked so tirelessly through the night and are still at it.”
Jamie Lee Curtis
While her home has survived the fire at this stage, actress Jamie Lee Curtis did share a heartfelt Instagram post about her community and the loss of her local church.
“This is the church in the Palisades that had a beautiful Sunday school and school and was a gorgeous house of worship and is the building that I got sober in 25 years ago,” she penned.
“I think of all of the souls who came there for comfort and solace and all the baptisms and funerals and weddings and the thousands of people who reclaimed their lives through Sobriety. Also, the women’s club in the Palisades where I met many sober people. Both are gone. Tough times. We will persevere. God bless you all.”
Curtis has since announced that she and her family are pledging $1 million to start a “fund of support” for those affected by the Los Angeles fires.
The actress got choked up about the devastation when she appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.
“As you know, where I live is on fire right now,” Curtis said.
“This is literally where I live, everything – the market I shop in, the schools my kids go to, friends, many, many, many, many, many friends have lost their homes now.”
Kate Beckinsale
The actress shared the news of her house burning down in an Instagram post.
“My daughter and I lived there for most of her childhood and most of her childhood is gone,” she wrote. “Her primary school, every shop or restaurant we used to go to with my parents and Michael’s parents – and devastatingly, most of her friends homes.”
Also read: Fatalities from LA wildfires rise to 24 as gale-force winds loom
Source: mamamia.com
