Mandy Moore’s sister-in-law makes tearful appearance on CNN after strangers donate $178k to family’s fire relief fundraiser

Mandy Moore’s pregnant sister-in-law broke down in tears during a TV interview discussing losing her home to the California wildfires.

Kit Goldsmith appeared on CNN with her husband Griffin and spoke of her pain over the loss of their belongings just weeks before she was set to give birth to their first child.

The couple are among tens of thousands of people displaced by the Eaton Fire and other fires raging in Los Angeles in recent days.

“We, like everyone else in our community, are in truly incredible circumstances,” Goldsmith said. “I don’t think we’ve had enough time to process what we’re all facing.

“The idea of ​​figuring out where we’re going to be in the next month, where we’re going to have this baby, it’s all very hard to process.”

The couple can’t even take refuge in Moore’s Altadena home because it was also razed by the fire.

The actress then shared a fundraiser for the expectant parents, which has since raised more than $178,000.

Goldsmith explained that worse than losing her home was the loss of community.

“We had so many friends there and a huge support group that I really wanted to lean on,” Goldsmith added, before breaking down into sobs.

“Losing them is almost harder than losing our house because I know we’ll all be scattered from each other.”

The GoFundMe states that the couple “lost absolutely everything” after the fires destroyed their Altadena home.

This includes their new nursery and drummer Griffin’s instruments and recording equipment.

Moore faced a backlash after publicizing their fundraiser, including from DailyMail columnist Maureen Callahan, and from fans who questioned whether she would use some of her estimated $14 million net worth to help.

Many people left negative comments following her appeal for help, with many asking why the star couldn’t just ‘get them a new house’.

‘Can’t you help them? You guys are millionaires????” read one comment.

But many supported Moore amid the criticism, with her fans saying the comments were cruel and lacking sympathy for a tragic event.

One fan wrote: ‘I find it incredibly cruel that in the wake of extreme tragedy and loss there are so many hateful and hurtful comments here.

“If you don’t want to donate to this family, don’t, but I hope you donate to other organizations in need because there are so many. Please try to lead with empathy.”

The This is Us actress didn’t hold back when she responded to questions about her contribution.

“People who question whether we are helping our own family or granting whatever amount of money Google says someone has are NOT being helpful or empathetic,” Moore snapped.

‘Of course we are. Our friend Matt started this, gonna fund me and I’m sharing because people have been asking how they can help them. We also just lost most of our lives to a fire. Please F OFF. Nobody forces you to do anything.’

At least 10 people were killed and thousands of buildings were set on fire as intense wildfires raged in the Los Angeles area, officials said.

Fast-moving flames ripped through homes and businesses as residents fled the smoke-filled canyons and picturesque neighborhoods where many celebrities live.

Many of the towering fires that started Tuesday were fanned by powerful Santa Ana winds, which gushed at more than 75 miles per hour in some places.

Winds eased Thursday, but the National Weather Service warned that even the reduced gusts could still spread the fire quickly.

The exact death toll remained unclear, but was expected to rise as crews continued to sift through the rubble.

Governor Gavin Newsom said California has deployed more than 1,400 firefighters to battle the blazes. Oregon, Washington, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona sent teams to help.

AccuWeather, a private company that provides data on weather and its impacts, increased its estimate of damage and economic loss to $135 billion to $150 billion. Government officials have not yet released damage estimates.