Taylor Swift has spoken about the devastating Los Angeles wildfires – see what she had to say below.
- READ MORE: LA music community tell us about “tragic” impact of wildfires: “This will be felt for years”
Last week (January 7), Los Angeles was hit by several separate wildfires that have decimated several neighbourhoods and forced the evacuation of over 150,000 residents. The fires have caused thousands of homes to be burned down, resulting in 27 confirmed deaths and 31 reported missing persons.
Now, Swift has commented on the Californian catastrophe on Instagram Stories. She wrote: “The fires in California have devastated so many families, and it’s been heartbreaking to see these stories unfold. So much suffering, loss and destruction. As so many people embark on some of the most challenging times of their lives, there are also many amazing organisations and groups banding together to help these communities rebuild.”
She continued, sharing that she has made donations to several organisations and urged followers to do the same if they are able: “These are the organisations I’ve donated to. If you feel compelled or able to donate, please do.”
Among the organisations and resources she highlighter are 211 LA, California Community Foundation Fund, Habitat For Humanity of Greater Los Angeles, Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, Los Angeles Unified School District Education Foundation and MusiCares.
Direct Relief, one of the organisations she made a donation to, has since thanked Taylor Swift for her “incredible generosity and compassion in supporting those impacted by the devastation wildfires.”
Thank you, @taylorswift13, for your incredible generosity and compassion in supporting those impacted by the devastating wildfires in Southern California.
#lafires #Californiafires #eaton #altadena #losangeles #fires pic.twitter.com/BKkGYUK3hY
— Direct Relief (@DirectRelief) January 16, 2025
This isn’t the first time that Swift has donated to relief fund efforts and rallied her fans to support if they’re able and willing. Just a couple of months ago, she donated a whopping US$5million to Feeding America for Hurricane Helene and Milton relief efforts.
The sum of Swift’s wildfire relief donations have not been made public.
Swift isn’t the only high-profile celebrity to help affected communities in the aftermath of the tragedy. Beyoncé’s BeyGOOD foundation have donated $2.5million to help to relief efforts for the Los Angeles wildfires. Paris Hilton also launched a fund for families displaced by the fires, pledging $100,000 and promised to match up to $100,000 in donations. Dave Grohl also spent his birthday making meals for families that had been effected.
American-Mexican band Fuerza Regida have rented out an entire hotel for a week to shelter 50 families fleeing the wildfires.
- READ MORE: LA wildfires: More than 1000 music professionals supported by charity – here’s how to seek help
Charli XCX called for brands gifting her clothes to “give [them] to people who really truly need it.” She then shared details of a clothing drive organised by stylist Lana Jay Lackey, urging others to join her in donating. Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish and more have reacted to the “heart-wrenching” devastation caused by the wildfires, sharing resource links for those in need of help.
Members of the LA music community have also spoken to NME about being hit hard, with a number of venues, studios and artists being affected by the blaze.
Among those to lose their homes include the artists Jhené Aiko, Madlib, Diane Warren, Harry Mack, Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith, Tim Darcy of the Canadian rock groups Cola and Ought, pop duo Brijean, 30 Seconds To Mars guitarist and musical director Stevie Aiello, and Beyoncé‘s mother Tina Knowles.
