Hollywood ushered in the New Year with a blast as the Golden Globes initiated awards season over the weekend.
Yet just a few days later, a starkly different scene unfolds in Los Angeles as wildfires ravage the county.
Notable personalities like Paris Hilton and Billy Crystal have lost their homes, while several other celebrities have been evacuated alongside thousands of residents.
Yesterday, premieres for films such as Better Man, a biopic on Robbie Williams, and Unstoppable, featuring Jennifer Lopez, were canceled. Now, key events in the awards season are being postponed or called off as firefighters contend with the wildfires.
Production on various television programs has also ground to a halt.
Paris Hilton is one of those who have suffered home losses. Pic: AP
Critics Choice Awards
The annual event was slated for this weekend but has been pushed back by two weeks to 26 January, “due to the catastrophic fires,” according to organizers.
Joey Berlin, the CEO of the Critics Choice Association, expressed, “This unfolding tragedy has deeply impacted our community.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with those facing the devastating fires and all those affected.”
The rescheduled show will still occur at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Los Angeles, and will be broadcast live on E!.
Demi Moore secured a Golden Globe over the weekend, but Oscar nominations are expected to be toned down now. Pic: AP
BAFTA Tea Party
While the BAFTAs is a British awards ceremony, an annual pre-event networking gathering is held in the US before the show.
The 2025 party was originally set for Saturday at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills but has now been canceled.
“The safety of our colleagues, friends, and peers in Los Angeles is our top priority, and our thoughts are with all those affected,” a representative stated.
Pic: AMPAS
Oscar nominations
The nominations for the highly anticipated ceremony were scheduled to be announced on Friday, 17 January, with films like The Brutalist, Emilia Perez, Wicked, and The Substance expected to be among the contenders.
The academy has extended the nominations voting window by two days “to allow members more time to cast their votes,” resulting in the shortlist announcement now being set for Sunday, 19 January.
CEO Bill Kramer confirmed the change in a memo to members, as reported by entertainment publications like Variety and Deadline.
“We extend our most sincere condolences to those impacted by the devastating fires across Southern California,” the statement read.
“Many of our members and industry colleagues reside and work in the Los Angeles area, and our thoughts are with you.”
Further details on the nominations announcement will be provided soon, Kramer added.
Read more:
Why are there wildfires in January?
‘Truly apocalyptic scenes’ as flames engulf homes
Writers Guild of America (WGA) nominations
The nominations for these awards recognizing exceptional writing across various media were initially planned for today.
However, due to the state of emergency in Los Angeles caused by the wildfires, the announcement has been postponed to Monday, 13 January.
The Los Angeles wildfires mapped, as of Thursday morning
General filming
FilmLA, the agency granting filming permits in Los Angeles, has issued an alert indicating that “resources typically available for supporting film production may not be accessible during the local state of emergency”.
The LA County Fire Department has revoked permits for filming in areas like Altadena, La Crescenta, La Canada Flintridge, and parts of Pasadena, FilmLA stated.
“Additional permit revocations are possible,” they added.
NBCUniversal has halted filming on TV shows Loot, Ted, Suits: LA, Happy’s Place, and Hacks – the latter winning Best Television Series in the Golden Globes’ musical or comedy category on Sunday, along with an award for actress Jean Smart.
Simon Cowell at the America’s Got Talent quarter-finals in 2024. Pic: Faye’s Vision/Cover Images/AP
America’s Got Talent
Auditions for Simon Cowell’s US version of the popular talent show were slated for Sunday.
In an Instagram statement, producers announced the postponement of these auditions to a later date.
“Your safety is our top priority. We will provide details on a rescheduled audition date soon. Stay safe,” the statement read.