Hollywood commenced the new year with excitement as the Golden Globes initiated the awards season over the weekend.
However, just a few days later, the atmosphere in Los Angeles has significantly changed as wildfires rage across the county.
The properties of celebrities such as Paris Hilton and Billy Crystal have been devastated, while other stars have been evacuated alongside thousands of residents.
Premieres for films including the Robbie Williams biographical picture Better Man, and Unstoppable featuring Jennifer Lopez, were cancelled yesterday, and now crucial dates in the awards circuit are being delayed or called off as firefighters tackle the blazes.
Filming has similarly been suspended on various television shows.
Paris Hilton is among those who have experienced the loss of their homes. Pic: AP
Critics Choice Awards
The annual event was scheduled to occur this weekend but has been rescheduled by a fortnight, moving to 26 January, “due to the catastrophic wildfires,” the organizers mentioned in their statement.
Joey Berlin, the chief executive of the Critics Choice Association, remarked: “This unfolding disaster has already taken a significant toll on our community.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with those confronting the relentless fires and with everyone impacted.”
The revised event 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 – yet nominations for the Oscars may now be a subdued event. Pic: AP
BAFTA Tea Party
Although the BAFTAs is a British awards event, organizers host a networking gathering in the U.S. prior to the ceremony each year.
The 2025 gala was intended to happen at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills this Saturday. Nevertheless, it has now been cancelled.
“The safety of our colleagues, friends, and associates in Los Angeles remains our highest priority and our thoughts are with everyone affected,” a representative stated.
Pic: AMPAS
Oscar Nominations
The nominations for the most prominent ceremony of the awards season were set to be unveiled next Friday, 17 January, featuring films such as The Brutalist, Emilia Perez, Wicked, and The Substance expected to be contenders.
The Academy has reportedly announced a two-day extension for the nominations voting period “to allow members more time to submit their votes,” with the announcement of the finalists now scheduled for Sunday, 19 January.
Chief executive Bill Kramer confirmed the alteration in a memo to members, as reported by entertainment outlets including Variety and Deadline.
“We wish to extend our deepest sympathies to those affected by the devastating wildfires throughout Southern California,” the statement indicated.
“Many of our members and industry colleagues reside and work in the Los Angeles area, and you are in our thoughts.”
Further details on the nominations announcement will be provided shortly, he noted.
Read more:
What causes wildfires in January?
‘Truly apocalyptic scenes’ as flames consume homes
Writers Guild of America (WGA) Nominations
The nominations for the awards recognizing exceptional writing in film, television, new media, news, radio, and promotional categories were originally slated for today.
Nevertheless, a representative from WGA West and WGA East stated that “in light of Los Angeles being under a state of emergency due to ongoing wildfires”, the announcement has been rescheduled to Monday, 13 January.
Mapping of the Los Angeles wildfires, as of Thursday morning
General Filming
FilmLA, the organization responsible for permitting film shoots in Los Angeles, has issued a notice informing that “personnel typically available for assisting with film production might be unavailable during the ongoing local state of emergency”.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department has mandated the withdrawal of all filming permits for regions such as Altadena, La Crescenta, La Canada Flintridge, and certain areas of Pasadena, as reported by the agency.
“Additional permit cancellations may occur,” it mentioned.
NBCUniversal has announced the suspension of filming for TV series including Loot, Ted, Suits: LA, Happy’s Place, and Hacks, which recently received recognition as the best television series in the musical or comedy category at the Golden Globes, 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 the US edition of the acclaimed talent competition led by Simon Cowell were scheduled to occur on Sunday.
In an announcement via Instagram, the production team revealed that these would be postponed to a later date, which will be confirmed shortly.
“Your safety remains our utmost priority. We will share a new audition date soon. Remain safe,” the statement read.
