Beyoncé Donates $2.5 Million to Fire Relief Efforts, Meghan Postpones Show Launch Due to Crisis

Updated 12:43 PM EST, January 13, 2025

LOS ANGELES (NB360) — Exciting news! The combined efforts of dedicated firefighters and favorable weather conditions over the weekend have significantly improved the containment of fires in and around Los Angeles. However, the entertainment world continues to feel the impact of these blazes.

Several projects and awards shows have faced delays, with the Producers Guild choosing to postpone its nominations announcement on Sunday due to the ongoing effects of the fire. Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, has also decided to delay the launch of her Netflix lifestyle program until March.

In an incredible show of support, celebrities and entertainment organizations are pledging millions to aid those who have been displaced or lost their homes. Beyoncé is leading the charge by directing millions to assist families affected by the Eaton fire.

While firefighters have successfully pushed the flames away from several populated areas over the weekend, strong winds are anticipated to return this week and persist through Wednesday.

Tragically, thousands of homes have been destroyed, and 24 people have lost their lives due to the fires. More individuals are reported missing, and officials expect this number to rise.

Here’s more on how the fires are influencing celebrities and the entertainment world.

Beyoncé donates $2.5 million to Los Angeles-area wildfire relief

Beyoncé has generously contributed $2.5 million to a newly established LA Fire Relief Fund through her charitable foundation, BeyGOOD.

The announcement was made via the BeyGOOD foundation Instagram account on Sunday. “The fund is earmarked to aid families in the Altadena/Pasadena area who lost their homes, and to churches and community centers to address the immediate needs of those affected by the wildfires,” the caption read.

Founded in 2013, the BeyGOOD foundation focuses on economic equity by “supporting marginalized and under-resourced programs,” according to its mission statement.

Last week, Beyoncé’s mother, Tina Knowles, shared the heartbreaking news that her Malibu bungalow was destroyed in the Los Angeles-area fires. “It was my favorite place, my sanctuary, my sacred happy place. now it is gone,” she wrote on Instagram. “God Bless all the brave men and women in our fire department who risked their lives in dangerous conditions.”

The Screen Actors Guild announced over the weekend it would commit $1 million to help members affected by the fires. While much attention has been paid to stars who have lost homes, numerous less-famous industry workers have also lost homes or been displaced by the fires.

Meghan delays launch of Netflix series

The Duchess of Sussex has decided to postpone the release of her new Netflix series due to the wildfires ravaging the LA-area.

“With Love, Meghan” was set to debut Wednesday, but the streaming service announced on Sunday that it supports her request to delay the premiere to focus on helping those affected by the fires.

The Duchess was born and raised in Los Angeles and now resides in Montecito, California, with Harry, the Duke of Sussex, and their two children.

On Saturday, the royal couple visited Pasadena to distribute food and water to fire victims and express gratitude to first responders.

“With Love, Meghan” is a lifestyle program featuring the Duchess chatting with celebrity friends and demonstrating tasks like floral arrangements and baking. “I’ve always loved taking something pretty ordinary and elevating it,” Meghan says in the trailer. The show will now premiere on March 4.

Composer Arnold Schoenberg’s original work lost in fires

The publisher of Arnold Schoenberg’s works has announced that original manuscripts and scores from the composer were lost in the Los Angeles wildfires.

Belmont Music Publishers, located in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, made the announcement Sunday.

“We have lost our full inventory of sales and rental materials,” the company said in a statement. “We hope that in the near future we will be able to ‘rise from the ashes’ in a completely digital form. … There are some scores and performing materials for which we have digital scans.”

Born in Austria, Schoenberg moved to the U.S. when the Nazis took power and settled in Los Angeles, where he died in 1951.

Schoenberg gained attention for a 12-tone technique of composition and along with his students, including Alban Berg and Anton Webern, became known as the Second Viennese School. Among his most-known works are “Ewartung,” “Gurre-Lieder,” “Verklärte Nacht,” and “Pierrot lunaire.”