Bestselling author Stephen King has raised his voice in response to the devastating wildfires currently sweeping through California.

With Los Angeles facing some of the most destructive fires in its history, King is calling for the cancellation of the 2025 Academy Awards ceremony.

The fires have already claimed at least 25 lives, displaced thousands of residents, and caused widespread destruction of homes and businesses.

King, 77, shared his thoughts on the social media platform Bluesky, writing, “IMHO they should cancel them.

No glitz with Los Angeles on fire.”

The Public Reaction to King’s Call

King’s post quickly gained traction, accumulating over 45,000 likes.

His statement sparked a range of reactions from fans and followers.

Some supported his view, emphasizing the need for sensitivity given the scale of the disaster.

One commenter noted, “The Oscars could raise funds and lift spirits.

The arts matter, in good times and bad.”

However, not everyone agreed with King’s stance.

Some argued that the Oscars could play a positive role by boosting morale and helping with recovery efforts.

Another commenter pointed out, “Cancelling hurts workers.

Many rely on Oscars-related events for income—drivers, servers, glam teams, and more.”

The Academy’s Response to the Crisis

In response to the wildfire crisis, the Academy has taken steps to address the situation.

The Oscars’ nominees’ luncheon, a staple of the awards season, was canceled, and R4.7 million from the event’s budget was redirected to support wildfire relief efforts.

This brings the Academy’s total contribution to R18.8 million. Additionally, the Oscar nominations announcement, originally planned for mid-January, was delayed to 23 January.

Despite the ongoing crisis, the Academy has confirmed that the main Oscars ceremony, hosted by comedian Conan O’Brien, is still scheduled to take place on 2 March at the Dolby Theatre.

In a joint statement, Academy leaders Bill Kramer and Janet Yang expressed their devastation over the fires’ impact.

They also affirmed the Academy’s commitment to supporting those affected by the crisis, adding, “This tragedy has united our film community, and we’re committed to supporting those affected.

We’ll honour frontline workers and encourage global relief efforts.”

Disruption to Hollywood’s Awards Season

The wildfires have significantly disrupted Hollywood’s awards season.

The Critics Choice Awards and Producers Guild nominations have been delayed, and Netflix postponed the premiere of Love, Meghan, a series featuring the Duchess of Sussex, from 15 January to 4 March.

Meghan Markle, who volunteered alongside her husband Prince Harry to support relief efforts, expressed her concern, saying, “We must focus on those affected by the fires in my home state.”

Celebrities Affected by the Fires

Several prominent figures in Hollywood have been personally affected by the wildfires.

Actors such as Mel Gibson, Jeff Bridges, and Jennifer Garner have lost their homes to the flames.

Paris Hilton, whose Malibu home was destroyed, donated R1.87 million to a relief fund after watching her property burn to the ground on live television.

Jennifer Garner, in collaboration with chef José Andrés, has also been involved in distributing food to evacuees through World Central Kitchen.

The tragedy has not only impacted celebrities but also the broader community, with the tragic loss of former child star Rory Sykes, who died from carbon monoxide poisoning during the disaster.

King’s Message of Solidarity

Stephen King’s call to cancel the Oscars underscores the importance of solidarity during times of crisis.

Whether it’s wildfires, floods, or other disasters, these moments demand a response rooted in empathy and action.

While some believe that canceling the Oscars would show respect for those suffering, others argue that the platform provided by such an event could be used to rally support and contribute to recovery efforts.

A Dimmed Oscars in the Face of Devastation

As the debate continues, Los Angeles remains in the grips of a devastating crisis.

The Oscars, while still set to take place, feel overshadowed by the calamity unfolding in the city.

Hollywood’s biggest night may still go ahead, but the somber reality of the ongoing wildfire disaster highlights the fragility of life and the importance of coming together in times of need.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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