Earlier this week, massive wildfires in Los Angeles broke out and blazed through several neighborhoods, rapidly spreading throughout the ginormous county at record speed. The devastation the fires has caused has yet to officially be fully quantified, but statistics from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and reactions from residents are steadily pouring in.
Evacuation notices sent tens of thousands of people fleeing their homes since Jan. 7, the start of the Palisades fire. According to CBS, at least 10 people are dead and more than 10,000 structures have been destroyed, marking the most destructive wildfire in LA history.
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 08: General view of the Sunset Boulevard during the wildfires on January 08, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
Bellocqimages/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 08: General view of the Sunset Boulevard during the wildfires on January 08, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
Bellocqimages/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images
Even if someone’s property did make it through the flames, the emotional impact of seeing various Los Angeles neighborhoods destroyed could weigh just as heavy. Here are updates from celebrities who have evacuated, lost their homes, or have had something to say about the LA fires.
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Tina Knowles
Image Credit: TheStewartofNY/WireImage On Thursday evening (Jan. 9), Tina Knowles shared the sad news that her property in Malibu is now “gone” as she shared a tribute to her “happy place” and some thoughts about the wildfires.
“This is what I was looking at on my birthday this past weekend from my tiny little bungalow on the water in Malibu! It was my favorite place, my sanctuary , my sacred Happy Place . Now it is gone,” the mother of Beyoncé and Solange Knowles typed in her caption. In the post, she shared a peaceful video she took of three dolphins swimming in the water, capturing the sound of the ocean and the signature serene atmosphere of Malibu.
The 71-year-old shifted her focus to others who have been affected in the travesty and also made sure to thank the firefighters, continuing, “God Bless all the brave men and women in our fire department who risked their lives in dangerous conditions… To the people who lost their homes and belongings , I can only imagine how it feels to lose properties and everything you own ! My heart and deep prayers go out to all of you.”
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Jhené Aiko
Image Credit: Jerritt Clark/Getty Images for Amazon Music Jhené Aiko updated her fans with the news that her home she lived in with her children “burned to the ground” with “all of their things inside.” The singer mentioned that she’s thankful she still has her family and is focusing on “starting from scratch.”
Although she was flooded with support, there were a few commenters who pointed out her privilege, which she responded by saying, “The fact that some of you think I have Paris Hilton money is wile. I don’t got it like that, but I do have a big loving family that is worth more than anything.” She also shared that she also lost her home in 2nd grade in a fire as well, and that she prays she can have “as much grace as my mother did during that time.”
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Paris Hilton
Image Credit: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for iHeartRadio Paris Hilton described the heartbreaking moment as she watched her Malibu come burn to the ground on live television.
“To all the people who have lost their homes, their memories, and their beloved pets. My heartaches 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,” she wrote on X. The media personality also made sure to acknowledge the brave firefighters, fellow LA residents, and her 11:11 Media Impact team who is working on supporting communities.
Read her full response to the tragic event below.
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John Legend and Chrissy Teigen
Image Credit: Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Chrissy Teigen evacuated her home with husband John Legend and their four kids.
“I haven’t had the words, it is a hellscape. We are ok as of right now, and I felt weird saying that with so many people we know and don’t know who are not ok. Thank you for reaching out,” she wrote on her story to her 41 million followers. A few hours later, she confirmed she and her family were safe, as she shared a video from a hotel room with their pets and children.
The next day, she shared another response via her Cravings IG page and listed multiple resources for fire victims and places to send donations. See below.
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Britney Spears
Image Credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images Britney Spears sent her prayers to people impacted by the fires and had a unique way of attempting to cheer people up. She posted a video of sparkly pink heels and confirmed to her followers that she was doing alright and driving to a hotel.
The iconic pop star’s caption read: “I hope you are all doing OK !!! I had to evacuate my home and I’m driving 4 hours to a hotel !!! I’m posting these adorable shoes to lift people’s spirits !!! Most people may not even be on their phones !!! I wasn’t the past two days because I had no electricity to charge and I just got my phone back !!! I pray you’re all doing well and I send my love !!!”
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Chris Brown
Image Credit: Per-Anders Pettersson/Getty Images Although he is a Virginia native, Chris Brown has called Los Angeles his home for many years and felt the impact of the wildfires on his community. The R&B star shared some thoughts on his Instagram page and urged people to celebrate the work of firefighters.
He wrote, “LA… make sure y’all throw a ceremony or parade for these firefighters and first responders after this. Also the prisoners who were out there risking they lives need time knocked off their sentences. Just saying.” In a previous slide, he alluded to his belief that these wildfires were not natural disasters, but rather started by arson. “Someone starting these fires. Sh*t don’t add up,” he typed on his story.
According to ABC News, inmates who are contributing are paid between $5.80 and $10.24 per day plus $1 per hour when they respond to active emergencies.
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Kawhi Leonard
Image Credit: Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Baby2Baby Kawhi Leonard put his family over work duties this week; he left an NBA game on Jan. 8 to go help his family amid evacuations. According to ESPN, the LA Clippers star bought a house in the Pacific Palisades in 2021, which is one of the areas that was most severely burned in the wildfires.
Coach Tyronn Lue told the outlet before the game, “You definitely have to take care of home… Totally had my support 100%. Going back, checking on his family and kids, making sure they’re well. And he got back, and they’re doing OK, so just happy and thankful for that.”
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Ricki Lake
Image Credit: Michael Kovac/Getty Images for End Well Foundation Ricki Lake kept her followers in the loop during her fight to save her LA home throughout this week. The television host and actress posted step-by-step updates about the grueling process, but unfortunately succumbed to the situation and wrote: “1/7/25 The day we lost our home.”
She continued with a timeline in her latest post, adding, “We finally surrendered our efforts and left our home at 8:02 pm. Grateful to have made it out alive and uninjured.”
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