Chrissy Teigen Faces Backlash for Social Media Posts During LA Wildfires
‘So Out of Touch’: Users Slam Chrissy Teigen over ‘Tone Deaf’ Social Media Updates amid LA Wildfire Crisis
“Lip Sync Battle” star Chrissy Teigen’s social media posts about leaving her house have ignited a different kind of fire as wildfires burn over Los Angeles.
Because to the ongoing wildfires, Chrissy Teigen, her husband John Legend, their four children, and their dogs had to leave their Los Angeles home. Netizens’ responses to her online updates regarding the issue were mixed.
There has been extensive destruction as a result of California’s wildfire catastrophe. Although coroner confirmation is still waiting, 92 active wildfires have damaged over 10,000 houses, burned over 29,053 acres, and claimed five lives, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE).
Damage assessments for the Palisades and Eaton Fires are still ongoing, and at least 13,926 emergency responses have been recorded.
In the midst of these events, the 39-year-old author and model posted a number of images to her Instagram Story on January 8 that gave insight into her family’s predicament.
Teigen shared pictures and captions of the incident, one of which showed her packing a suitcase. The TV personality was accompanied with a text that said, “This is surreal, I’m very scared now. packing.”
“4 dogs 4 kids and a bearded dragon walk into a hotel,” the caption for another tale that highlighted her pets, brought attention to the difficulty of moving her family.
Her posts were deemed disrespectful by some followers, while others sympathized with her predicament. “This is so tone deaf [sic]. Leave it to Chrissy not to read the room,” said one critic. Some were upset, saying, “So out of touch.” Another person wrote, “She’s standing there ‘crying’ and John is taking pictures of her to post on Instagram [sic]?”
Another person expressed annoyance at the disparity between the gravity of the circumstance and the amount of time spent posing for a picture. One internet user pointed out the contrast between the scene and the striking display of a huge diamond ring in the image.
Some people defended Teigen’s conduct in spite of the criticism. “Mother Nature always wins. Yeah she’s rich but she’s crying about the memories of the home. Some people cry for less cause it had sentimental value. Stop laughing at her. I can care less for her career. But be human [sic],” a backer commented.
Some users, meanwhile, expressed shock at the laughter, wondering how someone could find amusement in the heartbreaking loss of a home and its memories.
One commentator denounced the satire, highlighting the importance of empathy and human decency, particularly in the face of such tragic losses.
“So horrible for all those in the path of these devastating fires. But thank you for taking your pets with you!” said one commenter, who commended Teigen for her ethical actions.
Despite receiving both praise and criticism for her updates, Chrissy Teigen’s posts show relief that her family has safely left their house.
In August 2023, Architectural Digest showcased the family’s Beverly Hills house, including areas such as the living room, kitchen, bedrooms, and private movie theater.
Teigen and Legend talked candidly about their passion for interior design in the AD interview. “Every house we’ve ever had reflects the moment we were in in our lives, like chapters in a book,” Teigen said.
Legend describes their home as embodying “lightness and airiness,” as redesigned by AD100 designer Jake Arnold. The singer said, “Our last house was darker and more cloistered, like a sanctuary.”
Arnold’s concept struck a chord with the celebrated singer, who went on to say, “We wanted to create something magical, especially for the kids. We love how open it feels, and how it’s so connected to the outdoors.”
The house has a tasteful fusion of amusing accents and sophisticated design features. The open kitchen, which features custom stools and calacatta macchia vecchia marble, and the lounge, which has a tiered bar constructed of brass and opera fantastico marble and is encircled by de Gournay wallpaper, are highlights.
To add a fun element to the design, AD also included Luna’s bedroom, which has a fantasy theme and a ball pit.
AD claims that Miles’s room, on the other hand, has an adventure theme with a custom car bed and a climbing wall for a rough, fun feel.
Teigen’s home cinema is a warm and welcoming place for family movie evenings, complete with handcrafted lounge chairs covered in soft sheepskin fabric.
AD also mentioned that the couple’s main bedroom was redesigned several times, changing from a bright and spacious refuge to a moodier, darker haven with deep plaster walls and seagrass framed in walnuts.
The couple decided to share the amenities and rearrange the floor plan as part of the makeover. “We’re not an old-school Victorian couple that needs to dress separately and then present ourselves all done up,” Teigen joked.
The family’s strong bond with their house, which now faces an uncertain future due to the horrific fires, was highlighted in the AD piece.
As multiple residences were destroyed by wildfires, Teigen was among the numerous celebrities who were forced to escape.
On January 8, the roaring wildfires destroyed the Pacific Palisades house of actor Billy Crystal and his wife, Janice Crystal. For forty-six years, the couple had raised their children and grandkids in the house.
The 76-year-old comedian conveyed his family’s deep sorrow in a statement to People. “Words cannot describe the enormity of the devastation we are witnessing and experiencing. We ache for our friends and neighbors who have also lost their homes and businesses in this tragedy.”
Crystal expressed his desire for the community’s rehabilitation while thinking back on the experiences they made in the house. “Janice and I lived in our home since 1979. We raised our children and grandchildren here. Every inch of our house was filled with love. Beautiful memories that can’t be taken away,” he stated.
The “Here Today” star praises the Pacific Palisades community’s tenacity and maintains hope despite the destruction.
Famous musician Diane Warren posted a depressing update on Instagram, stating that the fire destroyed her seaside property, which she had owned for almost thirty years.
The caption read, “This is the last pic I took of Leah’s rock from my beach house,” and included a picture. “I’ve had this house for almost 30 years… There’s a rainbow shining on it which I’m taking as a sign of hope for all creatures who have been affected by this tragedy.”
In the midst of the destruction, Warren thanked her supporters for the animals’ safety and that of a nearby rescue ranch.
Mandy Moore, an actress and singer, expressed her sorrow on Instagram over the damage to her family’s house in Altadena. Moore acknowledged the emotional toll of the tragedy while expressing appreciation that her family and pets were able to escape safely.
“Honestly, I’m in shock and feeling numb for all so many have lost, including my family. My children’s school is gone… So many friends and loved ones have lost everything too. Our community is broken but we will be here to rebuild together. Sending love to all affected and on the front lines trying to get this under control,” she wrote on Twitter.
Moore talked on how tough it was to protect her kids from the tragedy’s emotional toll in an emotional Instagram story. She said, “Thankful for the generosity of friends that we had a place to land last night,” in her narrative. “Trying to shield the kids from the immense sadness and worry I feel. Praying for everyone in our beautiful city.”
A frightening photo of Altadena’s wreckage was later shared by the “Chasing Liberty” singer, who wrote, “This is Altadena. Leveled. My sweet home. I am devastated and gutted for those of us who’ve lost so much.”
Actress and TV broadcaster Ricki Lake posted on Instagram that the fire had destroyed her Malibu house. Since they were married three years prior and intended to spend their golden years together, the house was extremely precious to Lake and her husband, Ross Burningham.
“It’s all gone. 💔I can’t believe I am typing these words,” wrote Lake. “After a valiant and brave effort by our friend and hero @kirbykotler_ Ross and I lost our dream home.”
“I shared our sunset views almost daily with all of you,” Lake continued, describing the mansion as more than simply a building and referring to it as their “heaven on earth.” Lake conveyed prayers to her neighbors and first responders attempting to limit the calamity, despite her anguish, and expressed thankfulness for their safe escape with their dog, Dolly.
More famous people came out to tell their tragic tales. In an Instagram story, actress Jennifer Grey’s daughter Stella Gregg revealed that her mother’s house was also destroyed by the flames in Los Angeles.
Gregg sent a touching comment, saying, “Last night my mama’s house was burnt to the ground… Give your loved ones an extra squeeze today.” Grey and her dog, Winnie, were unharmed despite the terrible loss.
Paris Hilton, meanwhile, posted an extremely moving Instagram story about the heartbreaking moment she witnessed her Malibu home burn down live on TV.
“Heartbroken beyond words,” Hilton wrote. “Sitting with my family, watching the news, and seeing our home in Malibu burn to the ground on live TV is something no one should ever have to experience.”
Hilton thought back on the priceless moments spent at the mansion, such as her son Phoenix’s first steps. She expressed thankfulness that her family and pets are unharmed despite the destruction and promised to help those in need.
Hilton said, “My 11:11 Media Impact Team is already reaching out to nonprofit organizations today to figure out how we can best support the communities impacted by these fires,” and he then thanked the first responders and firefighters who risk their lives for their work.
Renowned actress Denise Crosby, who starred in “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” talked about how devastated she was to lose her beloved Spanish home in the Pacific Palisades fire.
Crosby posted on X (previously Twitter): “Yesterday morning I had a beautiful Spanish cottage that gave me endless joy, where I met my husband and raised my son, the only house I’ve ever owned.” After years of caring for the house’s native garden and fruit trees, the actress said, “Now, ashes. I am heartbroken.”
The wildfires also destroyed Anna Faris’s house in Los Angeles. People was informed by the “Scary Movie” star’s agent that Faris and her family “are safe and very grateful.”
The fires also destroyed the Pacific Palisades house of two-time Academy Award winner Anthony Hopkins. The house was reduced to a heap of rubble in a picture that Page Six was able to obtain. Among the many opulent residences in the neighborhood was the Welsh actor’s property.
The wildfires also totally damaged actor John Goodman’s home in Los Angeles. A picture that Page Six was able to obtain shows that not a single room of the “Roseanne” alum’s house was left intact.
As the fire spread, Eugene Levy, the honorary mayor of a neighborhood in Los Angeles that is home to many celebrities, found himself in a precarious position. Levy told the LA Times, “The smoke over Temescal Canyon looked pretty black and intense.” “I couldn’t see any flames but the smoke was very dark.”
Regretfully, Levy’s house did not make it through the fire. Only a few wooden poles were left standing on his property, according to Page Six.
Sandra Lee, a TV broadcaster and food author, acknowledged that the wildfires damaged her Malibu house. She thanked her fans for their well wishes in an emotional Instagram post, but she also talked about how devastated she was to lose her house.
She sobbed as she remarked, “I don’t have a home anymore. My house is gone. It’s literally gone,” “I’ve been crying all night. Thank God everybody is safe.”
After the devastation, Lee slept at a hotel and acknowledged that she was having trouble processing the loss. “I don’t know what to say, I don’t know how to compartmentalize this, I don’t know what to do. All my stuff, all the last five years of my life. The only thing I can do is go to work, and I’m going to go to work today,” she said, choked up.
Lee expressed her appreciation for the first responders and firefighters in a caption that went with the video. “My house is gone – I cried all night and thought about every room, nook, and cranny. It was perfection and now it’s just Ash [sic].”
Lee shared an emotive post about the significance of her Malibu home before the fire reached it. “My home in Malibu has got me through some of the darkest moments in my life. I have loved creating it, embellishing it, building it, caring for it, and protecting it,” she said.
“I am sad but I am sending all my love to all the first responders and firefighters who are literally giving it all they’ve got to keep us safe!!!” she said as the fire drew closer, urging her community to stay connected.
Many well-known people have suffered greatly as a result of the flames, from their homes being damaged to having to evacuate emotionally. The late Joan Rivers’ daughter, Melissa Rivers, gave a moving story of what she was able to preserve before the fires destroyed her home.
Journalist Kaitlan Collins wrote on X that Rivers claimed she retrieved the essentials and “my mom’s Emmy, a photo of my dad and a drawing my mother had done of me and my son…I went for a drawing of my mother’s rather than a photo, because I know I can find the photos.”
On Instagram, Canadian TV host and actor Cameron Mathison disclosed that the wildfires had damaged his family’s home. “We are safe,” wrote Mathison. “But this is what’s left of our beautiful home. Our home where our kids were raised and where they wanted to raise their own someday.”
The celebrity sent thoughts to those impacted by the tragedy and thanked everyone who contacted him to see how his family was doing.
Following the evacuation of her Pacific Palisades home, English actress Kate Beckinsale also shared her sadness on Instagram. Beckinsale, who spent a large portion of her daughter’s life there, lamented the loss of the neighborhood she loved.
“Hearing the winds last night, I prayed. I knew it would be bad,” she said. “We had to evacuate many times during our life there – but the shock at the whole of the Palisades being destroyed is unthinkably horrific.”
Beckinsale talked about losing her daughter’s elementary school, her favorite stores, and the houses of many of her friends. She added that she is devastated for the families who have lost everything and said, “I’m crying for all of the people and pets involved.” Additionally, Beckinsale asked anyone in need to reach her on Instagram in order to offer them a place to stay.
James Woods, an experienced actor, assured worried fans on X that he and his family are safe. “To all the wonderful people who’ve reached out to us, thank you for being so concerned,” Woods wrote in her letter. “Just letting you know that we were able to evacuate successfully.”
Woods said he was heartbroken for his neighbors who had lost their homes, but he was unsure if his house had survived the fire.
According to climate scientist Daniel Swain of the University of California, Los Angeles, the Palisades Fire, the biggest and most destructive of the four wildfires now burning, is predicted to become the most expensive wildfire in history.
Swain emphasized the extraordinary devastation and said, “It is plausible that the Palisades Fire, in particular, will become the costliest on record period, not just in California, but in general.” The destruction has already been exacerbated by the unprecedented number of homes and businesses lost in one fire alone.
Los Angeles has a long road ahead of it as the fires continue to burn and hundreds of emergency responses are in progress. Nonetheless, the words from those affected show a common resolve to help one another and rebuild throughout this extraordinary disaster.
