Jamie Lee Curtis is facing backlash after making a controversial comparison between the devastation caused by the Los Angeles wildfires and war-torn Middle Eastern countries.
The Oscar-winning actress, 66, who donated $1 million to relief efforts after the Pacific Palisades fires, was among many celebrities forced to evacuate as fires continue to destroy property.
On Thursday, Curtis made the statement during a Questions and Answers about The Last Showgirlwhere he appeared alongside his co-star Pamela Anderson.
“The whole Pacific Palisades looks, unfortunately, like Gaza or one of those war-torn countries where terrible things have happened,” he said.
Social media quickly filled with people questioning the star’s comparison.
One reviewer posted: “Comparing wildfires to war zones seems strange, it minimizes the unique devastation of each,” while another added: “It’s a little disturbing, words matter, especially coming from someone with his platform.”
Jamie Lee Curtis is facing backlash after making a controversial comparison between the devastation caused by the Los Angeles wildfires and war-torn Middle Eastern countries.
On Thursday, Curtis made the statement during a Q&A for The Last Showgirl, where he appeared alongside co-star Pamela Anderson.
A third wrote: “Don’t compare a natural disaster to genocide!”
Others were not so kind, with one commenter saying: ‘Two things that have nothing to do with each other…pack everything up, great-grandma…’
However, some fans were more forgiving, with one saying: “I respect Jamie Lee Curtis, but that comparison doesn’t make any sense.”
It appears their attempt to draw attention to the devastation may have failed.
The backlash comes after the Halloween star revealed she is donating $1 million to fire relief efforts in Los Angeles after fighting back tears over the destruction of Pacific Palisades.
The actress took to Instagram on Thursday to announce her donation and reveal that she had been in contact with Los Angeles Governor Gavin Newson to discuss where the funds would best be used.
She wrote: ‘While the fire continues and @calfire @losangelesfiredepartment and all available first responders and agencies involved in fighting the fire and saving lives are still working hard and neighbors and friends are coming together to save each other, my husband and Our children and I have pledged $1 million from our Family Foundation to start a support fund for our great city and state and the great people who live and love there.
“I am in communication with Governor Newsom, Mayor Bass and Senator Schiff about where those funds should be directed to have the greatest impact.”
“The whole Pacific Palisades looks like, you know, Gaza or one of those war-torn countries where terrible things have happened,” Curtis said; (Gaza in January 2025)
Social media quickly filled with people questioning the star’s comparison.
The backlash comes after the Halloween star revealed she is donating $1 million to fire relief efforts in Los Angeles after fighting back tears over the destruction of Pacific Palisades.
This comes after Curtis choked back tears as he admitted the Pacific Palisades fires had been “catastrophic” during an appearance on The Tonight Show on Wednesday.
The star flew to New York City to appear on the Jimmy Fallon-hosted show when fires began to spread across the city she calls home.
She revealed on Instagram on Wednesday that her home is safe, but that many of her neighbors’ homes have been destroyed.
The actress appeared on the show to promote her new film The Last Showgirl, which hits theaters on January 10, but before talking about the film, she became visibly emotional while addressing the fires.
‘I’m literally about to cry. Especially for that beautiful welcome,” Curtis began, as the audience began to applaud, and one of them shouted, “You’re beautiful!”
She continued through tears: ‘As you know, the place where I live is on fire right now. Literally, the entire city of Pacific Palisades is burning.
—I flew here last night. I was on the plane and I started getting text messages. And it’s fucking twisted, guys. “It’s just a catastrophe in Southern California,” he said.