Jamie Lee Curtis sparks backlash over California fire comment
Residents of California have been contending with a devastating natural event for several days. Jamie Lee Curtis has commented on the matter, comparing the affected areas to those in war-torn countries, prompting criticism from internet users.
Californians are confronting widespread fires that have deprived many residents of their livelihoods. This concern extends beyond the homes of celebrities often reported by the media, affecting ordinary people left without shelter. Many are personally involved in relief efforts, organising fundraisers or providing refuge for those impacted by the disaster.
Jamie Lee Curtis criticised for unexpected comparison
The damage in California has also impacted the acting community, as seen in a Q&A session during the promotion of the film "The Last Showgirl". Jamie Lee Curtis, for instance, is concerned about the plight of those affected, although some internet users feel she overstepped with her recent comparison.
While responding to a question, the actress admitted it was a challenging time to discuss the film, given that so many people have been homeless. To illustrate the devastation caused by the fires, she made an unusual comparison, likening the fire-ravaged areas of California to the destruction seen in war-torn regions, including the Gaza Strip.
My house tonight is still there but I live in a different canyon. But the entire Pacific Palisades looks like, unfortunately, Gaza, or one of these war-torn countries where awful things have happened - she said in a recording published on the Instagram profile "realtalkingfish".
Internet users were quick to respond to her remarks, and the web was inundated with critical commentary.
"I don't understand why she did it," "Another example of being out of touch with reality," "How can you compare genocide to fires?" "Rich people losing luxury villas is not Gaza," "That's why actors have scripts written for them," "Celebrities trying to show they know everything. Comparing a natural disaster to a crime? Scandalous" - were among the responses.
Pamela Anderson's reaction also caught attention. After hearing the actress's comments, she looked at her, then made a meaningful expression and turned her head. It seems she too questioned the comparison.
"Pamela's reaction was spot on," "Even Pamela thought it was a bad idea," "Pamela probably thought: 'Is she serious?'", "Pamela looks like she wants to eject her from that seat" - commenters jested.
For balance, some posts attempted to defend the actress's comparison, suggesting she was referring to the extent of destruction where many lost their homes and livelihoods. Others acknowledged that, in the context of the situation in the Gaza Strip, it was an unfortunate comparison.
"I see what Jamie Lee Curtis is saying, and honestly, I kind of get it, the fires are devastating, and sometimes you need a big comparison to really drive the point home. Sure, mentioning Gaza might stir some debate, but I think her heart's in the right place, she's just trying to get people to realize how bad things really are," "But she's right, people are losing homes and lives, it wasn't about comparing both situations," "I think we're hearing something completely different. She didn't compare fires to Gaza, just the destruction and losses" - supporters argued in her defence.
