Jamie Lee Curtis is facing backlash after making a controversial comparison between the devastation caused by the LA wildfires and the war-torn countries of the Middle East.
The Oscar-winning actress, 66, who donated $1 million to relief efforts following the Pacific Palisades fires, was one of several celebrities forced to evacuate as the fires continue to destroy property.
On Thursday, Curtis made the statement during a Q&A for The Last Showgirlwhere she appeared alongside her co-star Pamela Anderson.
“The whole Pacific Palisades looks like, you know, unfortunately Gaza or one of these war-torn countries where terrible things have happened,” she said.
Social media quickly took off with people questioning the star’s comparison.
One critic wrote: ‘Comparing bushfires to war zones feels strange, it minimizes the devastation unique to each area,’ while another added: ‘It’s quite disturbing, words matter, especially from someone with her platform. ‘
Jamie Lee Curtis faces backlash after making controversial comparison between the devastation caused by the LA wildfires and war-torn countries in the Middle East
On Thursday, Curtis made the statement during a Q&A for The Last Showgirl, where she appeared alongside her co-star Pamela Anderson.
A third wrote: ‘Don’t compare a natural disaster to a genocide!’
Others weren’t so kind, with one commenter saying: ‘Two things that have nothing to do with each other… stop it, great-grandmother…’
However, some fans were more forgiving, with one saying: ‘I respect Jamie Lee Curtis, but that comparison doesn’t make sense.’
It seems her attempt to draw attention to the destruction has missed the mark.
The backlash comes after the Halloween star revealed she is donating $1 million to LA firefighting after fighting back tears over the destruction of Pacific Palisades.
The actress announced her donation via Instagram on Thursday, revealing that she had been in contact with LA Governor Gavin Newson to discuss where the money would best be used.
She wrote: ‘While the fire continues to rage and @calfire @losangelesfiredepartment and all available first responders and agencies involved in fighting fires and saving lives are still hard at work and neighbors and friends are working together to protect each other, my husband and I and our children have committed $1 million from our Family Foundation to establish a support fund for our great city and state and the wonderful people who live and love there.
“I am in discussions with Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass and Senator Schiff about where these funds should be directed for the most impact.”
“The whole Pacific Palisades looks like, you know, unfortunately Gaza or one of these war-torn countries where terrible things have happened,” Curtis said; (Gaza in January 2025)
Social media quickly took off with people questioning the star’s comparison
The response comes after the Halloween star revealed she is donating $1 million to LA firefighting after fighting back tears over the destruction of Pacific Palisades
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This comes after Curtis fought back tears as she admitted the Pacific Palisades fires were “catastrophic” during an appearance on The Tonight Show on Wednesday.
The star flew to New York City to perform on the Jimmy Fallon-hosted show when fires began spreading through the city she calls home.
She revealed on Instagram earlier on Wednesday that her home is safe, but many of her neighbors’ homes have been destroyed.
The actress appeared in theaters on January 10 to promote her new film The Last Showgirl, but before discussing the film, she became visibly emotional as she addressed the fires.
‘I’m literally about to cry. Especially because of that beautiful welcome,” Curtis began as the audience began to applaud, with one shouting, “You are beautiful!”
Tearfully, she continued, “As you know, where I live is currently on fire. Literally the entire city of the Pacific Palisades is on fire.”
‘I flew here last night. I was on the plane and I got text messages. And it’s damn spicy, guys. It’s just a catastrophe in Southern California,” she said.