ICYMI: Harry and Meghan visit LA fire victims, Aussie music stars evacuate

This weekend, the entertainment world's attention was focused on the wildfires in Los Angeles, which have devastated multiple communities in the area, destroying at least 10,000 buildings and claiming the lives of over 20 people. The intensity and scope of the fires have impacted numerous Hollywood film and television productions, with shows like "Abbott Elementary," "Loot," and "Ted Lasso" all suspending filming.

The Critics Choice Awards, originally scheduled for Sunday, January 12th, have been postponed to January 26th, and the Oscar nominations have been pushed back by two days as a result. Additionally, Meghan Markle has announced a delay in the release of her new Netflix series, "With Love, Meghan," so that she and Prince Harry can focus on disaster relief efforts. The couple has been living in California since stepping down from their royal duties in 2020 and moving to their Montecito estate near Los Angeles.

While their community is not currently under direct threat from the fires, it is still considered a "high-risk" area. The couple visited an evacuation center on Friday, where they helped provide meals for first responders and those who have lost their homes. They also met with José Andrés, the founder of World Central Kitchen (WCK), a partner charity of their own organization, Archewell Foundation. They have also reportedly opened their home to friends who have been forced to evacuate and issued a statement on their website pointing to various aid efforts.

Meghan's show is an eight-part lifestyle series, promoted as a "heartfelt tribute to the beauty of Southern California," where Meghan will be cooking, gardening, and crafting at home with various guest stars, including Mindy Kaling and Abigail Spencer. The show was originally slated for release on Wednesday, January 15th, but has now been pushed back to March 4th so that she can "focus on the needs of those affected by the wildfires."

Meanwhile, Mel Gibson's $23 million Malibu mansion has been destroyed by the fires, while the Australian-American actor and director was in Texas attending Joe Rogan's podcast. Gibson told NewsNation that he learned his neighborhood was on fire while chatting with Rogan and was "a bit unsettled" during the recording. He said, "When I got home, sure enough, [the house] was gone." He also joked, "At least I don't have those pesky plumbing problems anymore."

Other prominent Australians living in Los Angeles have also shared their experiences with the fires on social media. According to the 2021 US Census, there are over 20,000 Australians living in Los Angeles, although the Los Angeles Consulate General estimated 45,000 Australians were living in the city in 2016. Australian actor Benjamin Rigby also shared on Instagram that he lost his home in Palisades to the fires. Musicians Delta Goodrem and G Flip evacuated their homes over the past few days but have told fans they are currently safe. Actress Rebel Wilson, currently in Australia, also thanked a friend on social media for rescuing her and her wife Ramona Agruma's cats from their Hollywood Hills home.

In addition to the thousands of homes destroyed in the Los Angeles fires, several Hollywood historical sites have also been lost to the flames. This includes the Altadena mansion featured in the award-winning comedy "Hacks." The 1915 Spanish Colonial Revival mansion was burned to the ground over the weekend, leaving only its exterior walls, according to Deadline. Although production is currently on hold due to the fires, the house will still appear in the show's upcoming fourth season. An $83 million (A$134 million) mansion featured in the final season of "Succession" has also been destroyed by the fires. The 18-bedroom structure was the setting for the Roy siblings' machinations in the show's fourth season, with its interiors and exteriors appearing in several episodes.

The iconic Andrew McNally residence, featured heavily in the early seasons of "Entourage," among many other productions, has also suffered damage, with images of the building's loss shared online. Parts of Palisades Charter High School—a filming location for movies like "Carrie," "Freaky Friday," and "Teen Wolf"—have also been impacted, as confirmed by local school official Alberto Carvalho last week.

The union representing over 160,000 actors, announcers, voice artists, stunt performers, and other media professionals has donated a significant sum to a relief fund designated for Los Angeles fire victims. SAG-AFTRA—known for leading the highly publicized Hollywood actors' and writers' strikes in late 2023—has pledged $1 million (A$1.6 million) to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation's Disaster Relief Fund, which will be immediately available to those impacted by the natural disaster. In a statement, SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher and National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland said, "The fires devastating communities throughout Los Angeles County have had a profound impact on the lives of many of our SAG-AFTRA members, their friends, and colleagues. Union members stand together – in times of crisis, this is more true and important than ever."