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LA Wildfires: Paris Hilton and Mel Gibson Among Celebrities Who Lost Their Homes in the Blaze | Entertainment & Arts News


Paris Hilton expressed that her “heart has shattered into a million pieces” after witnessing the burned remains of her Malibu beach house, which has fallen victim to the wildfires raging through Los Angeles.

While describing herself as “in complete shock” on Instagram, the hotel heiress lamented how her precious family memories had been “reduced to ashes,” calling the experience “devastating.”

On a related note, Mel Gibson mentioned that losing his family home along with all of his belongings to the fire was “emotional.” The house was consumed by flames while he was recording an episode of the Joe Rogan Experience in Texas.

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To date, at least 10 lives have been lost in the wildfires, which have been ablaze for four days, leading to the evacuation of 179,000 residents. Additionally, vast expanses of land continue to burn.

The impact of the fires has been substantial, especially among celebrities, as they have ravaged upscale neighborhoods in southern California, home to numerous Hollywood stars and billionaires.

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Celebrities’ homes have burned down in the LA fires

Hilton, now 43, revealed that she watched her residence succumb to flames via television, sharing footage from inside her devastated home.

While grateful for the safety of her husband Carter Reum and their two children, Phoenix and London, she felt a deep loss for her family home.

On Instagram, she stated: “I’m standing here in what used to be our home, and the heartbreak is truly indescribable.”

“Initially, when I heard the news, I was in disbelief – it took time to process. But now, standing here and observing it firsthand, it feels as though my heart has split into a million fragments.”

She had resided in the multi-million-pound estate for three years.

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Paris Hilton posts video of destroyed home

Hilton further shared: “This house was not merely a residence – it was a space where we dreamed, laughed, and created beautiful family memories.”

“It was where my son Phoenix expressed his creativity through art that I will treasure forever, where love and life flourished in every nook and cranny. To witness it turned to ashes… it’s a tragedy that words cannot capture.”

“What devastates me even more is recognizing that this is not solely my narrative. So many have had their lives completely overturned. It’s not simply about the structures but the priceless memories that transformed those buildings into homes. It’s the photographs, the keepsakes, the irreplaceable elements of our lives.”

She described herself as “truly fortunate,” stating: “My loved ones, my children, and my pets are all safe. That is what truly matters.”

She extended her thanks to the firefighters, first responders, and volunteers who she remarked were “all risking their lives” to aid in the crisis, adding, “Even amidst the ashes, beauty still exists in this world.”

Water is dropped by helicopter on the burning Sunset Fire in the Hollywood Hills.
Pic: AP
Image:
Water dropped by helicopter on the burning Sunset Fire in the Hollywood Hills. Pic: AP

Fire crews battle the Kenneth Fire in the West Hills section of Los Angeles, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
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The West Hills section of Los Angeles. Pic: AP

‘When I arrived home, nothing was left’

Mel Gibson, known for his role in Gladiator, revealed to NewsNation’s Elizabeth Vargas Reports that his family home, where he had resided for over a decade, burnt down while he was being featured on an episode of the Joe Rogan podcast.

The 69-year-old actor characterized the experience as “emotional,” acknowledging the loss of all his possessions, yet he is striving to maintain a positive outlook.

He indicated he felt “relieved of the burden of my belongings, since they are all reduced to ashes.”

Gibson, who shared his Hollywood residence with partner Rosalind Ross and their seven-year-old son Lars, recounted his discovery of their loss.

“While recording the Rogan podcast, I felt uneasy because I was aware that my neighborhood was ablaze, so I wondered if my place had survived.”

“But when I came home, it was confirmed that it was gone. I returned home and thought, at least I won’t have to deal with any of those pesky plumbing issues anymore.”

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He mentioned that his family’s pet chickens survived the disaster, and although many “personal items collected over the years” had been lost, what truly mattered remained intact.

“These are merely things. The encouraging aspect is that my family and loved ones are safe, healthy, and out of danger; that’s all that truly matters.”

LA fires as of Friday morning
Image:
LA fires as of Friday morning

The family residence of Big Lebowski actor Jeff Bridges is also reported to have been destroyed.

The four-bedroom house, which had been passed down in the Bridges family for generations, was inherited by Bridges and his siblings in 2018, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Tina Knowles, mother of singer Beyonce, also lost a property she owned in Malibu to the raging fires.

Tina Knowles, from left, Jay-Z, Beyonce, and Blue Ivy Carter arrive at the premiere of "Mufasa: The Lion King" on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
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Tina Knowles with Jay-Z, Beyonce and Blue Ivy Carter in December. Pic: AP

She shared a brief video of dolphins frolicking in the ocean on Instagram, stating: “This was my view on my birthday this past weekend from my tiny little bungalow on the water in Malibu! It was my beloved spot, my sanctuary, my treasured Happy Place. Now it’s all gone!!”

She also expressed appreciation for the fire department and first responders, while offering sympathy to others who have been affected by the fires.

Mark Owen from Take That and his family were forced to evacuate their home, with his wife Emma Ferguson describing waking up to “helicopters, thick black smoke and howling winds.”

While she expressed gratitude for her family’s safety, she admitted it was “exhausting” to be perpetually monitoring online updates for the status of their house.

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Steve Guttenberg: ‘I’ve seen such tragedy’

Actor Steve Guttenberg, renowned for his role in the Police Academy film series, described the fires as “absolutely the worst” he has ever witnessed and has been actively assisting distressed residents.

Other stars who have lost their homes in the fires include Billy Crystal, Miles Teller, Diane Warren, Ricki Lake, Cary Elwes, Milo Ventimiglia, Anna Faris, Adam Brody, Leighton Meester, Spencer Pratt, and Heidi Montag.

On Friday, the Recording Academy, responsible for the Grammy Awards, and charity MusiCares pledged $1 million (£813,000) to aid music artists affected by the fires.

Actress Jamie Lee Curtis has matched that commitment for fire relief initiatives through her family foundation.



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