Jamie Lee Curtis is being condemned for likening the devastating wildfires currently ravaging the Los Angeles area to the ongoing war in Gaza.
A clip of the 66-year-old Oscar-winning actor making the remarks at a recent Q&A with her The Last Showgirl co-star Pamela Anderson for the new drama has gone viral.
“I am born and raised in the City of Angels. And the entire City of Angels is on fire, everywhere. The entire city of the Pacific Palisades is gone,” the Freaky Friday star says.
“I mean literally my neighbourhood — gone. 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,” adds Curtis, who yesterday announced a $1 million donation in relief funds to support Los Angeles amid the destructive blazes.
“And there are now fires breaking out everywhere. So it feels totally bizarre to be talking about a movie, and yet it’s a piece of art, and art will save us no matter what.”
On X/Twitter, numerous people blasted the Everything Everywhere All At Once star for comparing the wealthy LA enclave to war-torn Gaza.
“This is a completely atrocious comparison,” one wrote.
“I live in California and you would never find me comparing these fires to Gaza...both tragedies but not comparable AT ALL,” wrote a second.
A third person criticised “the flippant way people talk about Gaza,” writing: “As if it wasn’t a real tragedy until those scenes started being reflected in their gated communities. It’s gross.”
“Why would she say that,” a fourth asked, while someone added: “Both tragedies but not comparable AT ALL.”
The Independent