As wildfires rage across Los Angeles, social media updates from “Lip Sync Battle” star Chrissy Teigen about evacuating her home have ignited a different kind of discussion. The 39-year-old model, along with her husband John Legend, their four children, and their pets, was forced to leave their Los Angeles home due to the ongoing wildfires devastating the region. Teigen’s online posts documenting her evacuation sparked mixed reactions from the public.

According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), the wildfire crisis in California has reached catastrophic levels. As of January 8, 2025, 92 active wildfires have scorched over 29,053 acres, destroyed more than 10,000 structures, and resulted in five fatalities, with more awaiting coroner confirmation. Emergency responders have recorded at least 13,926 calls, and the damage assessments for areas like the Palisades and Eaton Fires are still underway.

Teigen shared a series of updates on Instagram, offering a glimpse into her family’s experience during the evacuation. One post featured a picture of her packing a suitcase in her walk-in closet, captioned with, “This is surreal. I’m very scared now. Packing.” Another post showed her pets, accompanied by the humorous caption, “4 dogs, 4 kids, and a bearded dragon walk into a hotel,” capturing the chaos of relocating her family under such dire circumstances.

While some followers sympathized with her plight, others were critical of her posts. Detractors accused her of being out of touch, with comments like, “Leave it to Chrissy not to read the room,” and “She’s standing there ‘crying’ while John is taking pictures to post on Instagram?” The criticism also extended to perceived insensitivity, as one user pointed out the bold display of a massive diamond ring in a photo meant to depict distress.

Despite the backlash, Teigen received support from fans who defended her emotional reactions. One commenter wrote, “Yes, she’s rich, but she’s crying over the memories of her home. Some people cry for less. Stop laughing at her.” Others emphasized the importance of empathy during such devastating losses. “Thank you for taking your pets with you! That’s responsible,” another user praised.

The family’s Beverly Hills home, featured in Architectural Digest in August 2023, held sentimental value for Teigen and Legend. The couple shared their love for designing spaces that reflected their life’s chapters. “Every house we’ve ever had reflects the moment we were in, like chapters in a book,” Teigen remarked in an interview. The home, redesigned by AD100 designer Jake Arnold, showcased an airy and open design, contrasting their previous darker and more cloistered residence. Key features included a kitchen adorned with calacatta macchia vecchia marble, a custom opera fantastico marble bar, and their children’s fantasy-themed bedrooms.

The emotional toll of the wildfires extended far beyond Teigen’s family. Actor Billy Crystal and his wife, Janice, lost their Pacific Palisades home of 46 years. Reflecting on the loss, Crystal said, “Words cannot describe the enormity of the devastation we are witnessing. Every inch of our house was filled with love and beautiful memories that can’t be taken away.”

Songwriter Diane Warren also shared her heartbreak after losing her Malibu beach house, which she had owned for nearly three decades. “There’s a rainbow shining on what’s left, which I’m taking as a sign of hope,” she wrote on Instagram. Despite the devastation, Warren expressed gratitude that nearby animals and rescue ranches were unharmed.

Actress Mandy Moore revealed the loss of her family’s Altadena home. She expressed shock and sadness in an Instagram post, saying, “Our community is broken, but we will rebuild together.” Moore also shared the difficulty of shielding her children from the emotional impact of the tragedy.

Ricki Lake’s Malibu home, where she married her husband Ross Burningham three years ago, was also destroyed. Calling it their “heaven on earth,” Lake described the loss as “heartbreaking,” while expressing gratitude for her family’s safety and the efforts of first responders.

Other celebrities, including Jennifer Grey, Paris Hilton, and Denise Crosby, also faced significant losses. Hilton shared the devastating moment she saw her Malibu home burn down on live television, reflecting on the precious memories created there. “Despite everything, I’m grateful my family and pets are safe,” she said, pledging to support affected communities through her media impact team.

Veteran actor Anthony Hopkins and TV host Sandra Lee were among those whose homes were completely destroyed. Lee shared a tearful message on Instagram, recounting the overwhelming sadness of losing her home but expressing deep appreciation for firefighters and first responders. “My house is gone. I cried all night thinking about every nook and cranny. It was perfection, and now it’s just ash,” she wrote.

Melissa Rivers, daughter of the late Joan Rivers, recounted saving a few sentimental items before her home was engulfed by flames. “I grabbed my mom’s Emmy, a photo of my dad, and a drawing my mother made of me and my son,” she shared, highlighting the emotional toll of prioritizing memories over material possessions.

The devastation reached actor Eugene Levy, whose home in Temescal Canyon was reduced to wooden posts. “The smoke was intense, and the loss is unimaginable,” Levy remarked. Similarly, Cameron Mathison, Anna Faris, and Kate Beckinsale shared their grief over losing their homes, with Beckinsale emphasizing the destruction of her community and offering shelter to those in need.

The Palisades Fire, one of the largest and most destructive wildfires in California history, is expected to become the costliest wildfire on record, according to climate scientist Daniel Swain. “This fire has already claimed an unprecedented number of homes and businesses,” Swain noted, highlighting the immense challenges Los Angeles faces in recovery.

Despite the devastation, stories of resilience and community support have emerged. Many celebrities, like Hilton and Lee, pledged to aid those affected, while others, including Moore and Rivers, focused on rebuilding their lives and supporting neighbors. The collective determination to recover and rebuild underscores the human spirit’s strength in times of unprecedented crisis.

From Chrissy Teigen’s social media updates to the profound losses experienced by countless individuals, the California wildfires serve as a stark reminder of nature’s unpredictability and the fragility of material possessions. Yet, amid the ashes, the stories of survival, empathy, and unity offer hope for a brighter future.