Mandy Moore is one of the many celebrities who suffered extensive damage in the LA fires. While documenting the fire’s devastation on her Instagram page, she shared a GoFundMe page for her in-laws whose house burned down. The campaign initially attempted to raise $60,000 but has since raised $176,000.
“Yesterday my brother-in-law and sister-in-law Griff & Kit lost their home and everything they own in the Eaton Fire,” Moore wrote in the caption. “With their first baby on the way in just weeks, they need our support now more than ever. Griff is a touring musician who has also lost his entire arsenal of drums/percussion that he uses to make a living. It’s all so much. So many have asked how they can help during this unimaginable and stressful time… Please consider donating and sharing to help them rebuild.”
Moore’s decision to share the GoFundMe campaign resulted in backlash from critics who claimed the “This Is Us” star should simply donate her own money to support her legislation. Social media users began sharing a Celebrity Net Worth statistic claiming Moore’s net worth is $14 million as proof that she reportedly has more than enough money to get her started in the law without asking for help. Moore addressed the response in her caption.
“People who question whether we are helping our own families or granting some arbitrary amount of money that Google says someone has are NOT helpful or empathetic,” Moore wrote. “Of course we are. Our friend Matt started this GoFundMe and I’m sharing it because people have asked how they can help them. We also just lost most of our lives to a fire. Please F OFF. Nobody forces you to do anything.”
Moore said that although most of her home was still standing, it was not habitable and the property’s studios, garage and guesthouse were lost. Billy Crystal, Miles Teller, Paris Hilton, Jeff Bridges and more lost their properties in the fires, as did Moore’s longtime “This Is Us” co-star Milo Ventimiglia.
“[It’s] heavy,” Ventimiglia told CBS News as he choked back tears. “You start thinking about all the memories in different parts of the house and stuff, and then you see your neighbors’ houses and everything around and it just breaks your heart.”
Readers looking for ways to help those affected by the LA fires in the Altadena area where Moore lived can visit this Eaton Fire community emergency response page.