Celebrities and Connection in the California Wildfires

The wildfires which struck Los Angeles this month have brought unimaginable tragedy as they’ve displaced families and destroyed homes. 

The city’s status as an entertainment center means the fires are bringing big names to the forefront, blurring the lines between ordinary citizens and celebrities as both suffer through unspeakable loss. 

Seven fires broke out in LA the first week of the new year, scorching nearly 60,000 acres. The fires have displaced thousands of people and killed at least 24, The Associated Press reported. One of the most devastating parts of the destruction is the homes LA residents will never be able to return to. 

LA is home to nearly four million people, with a significant portion of these residents being well-known stars. It’s widely understood these public figures have it better than others, with their multi-million dollar homes and private jets. But as celebrities lose their homes along with the general public, there’s been no lack of sympathy for them. 

The horrors of losing a home have been discussed by stars like Mandy Moore and Paris Hilton. 

CBS News’ video of Milo Ventimiglia is one of the most heartbreaking, as it offered a first look into the current plight of LA residents. Ventimiglia’s complete anguish is clear in his broken words and teary eyes as he toured the remains of his home. The 47-year-old is expecting a child, meaning he lost not only his home, but where he would’ve raised his family. 

“Words cannot describe the enormity of the devastation we are witnessing and experiencing,” Billy Crystal said to CNN after losing his home, which he’d lived in since 1979. “We ache for our friends and neighbors who have also lost their homes and businesses in this tragedy.”

Their losses, along with many others, haven’t been discounted. People aren’t shrugging them off, suggesting they should simply fly to their next mansion. 

The general public is seeing the human beings behind these big names. 

Seeing Ventimiglia tour what’s left of his home and hearing the despair in Crystal’s words displays how vital possessions can be for anyone. Even though these celebrities may lead lives provoking jealousy, contempt or a lack of empathy from onlookers, they’re still vulnerable to losing what’s important to them.

What makes these demolished homes so devastating isn’t their architecture or worth — it’s the fact someone has lost a place they called home, or where they’d planned to raise their child. Having money and popularity doesn’t replace sentimentality, and the ability to replace items doesn’t mean the significance they held can ever be replicated. 

It doesn’t matter who the victim is, to lose a home is still a tragedy for anyone. 

The destruction in LA this month hasn’t been good in any way, but it has brought out a sense of community and an influx of sympathy for those affected. After all, celebrity or not, no one should be treated with apathy after losing the place where they’ve made their memories.