Actress and singer Mandy Moore has responded firmly to critics who questioned her sharing of a GoFundMe page for family members affected by the devastating Los Angeles wildfires.
Moore's brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Griff and Katt Goldsmith, lost their home and possessions in the Eaton fire, just weeks before they are expecting their first child. The fundraiser, initiated by Matthew Koma, aims to help replace Griff's music equipment, which he uses to earn his living as a touring musician.
After sharing the fundraising campaign with her Instagram followers, Moore faced immediate backlash from critics who pointed to her estimated $14 million net worth. "Not a good look from someone of her means," one follower commented, questioning why a celebrity would ask the public for donations.
Moore defended her actions in a pointed response: "People questioning whether we're helping out our own family or attributing some arbitrary amount of money Google says someone has is NOT helpful or empathetic," she stated, confirming that her family is already providing assistance.
The "Candy" singer revealed that her own home was partially damaged in the fires, while many houses on her street were completely destroyed. "We just lost most of our life in a fire too," Moore added in an edited Instagram post.
The ongoing California wildfires have affected hundreds of thousands of people, with five separate fires burning through Los Angeles neighborhoods. The disaster has claimed ten lives and destroyed thousands of buildings and homes. President Biden has promised full federal financial support to California for 180 days to help combat the crisis.
While some critics continued to question the appropriateness of the fundraiser, others defended Moore, emphasizing that everyone deserves support during such devastating times, regardless of their celebrity status.