Bette Midler Shares Heartwarming Video of Family Singing Amid Wildfire Devastation

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Actress Bette Midler shared a poignant video on Instagram Friday, Jan. 10, showcasing the Halpin family singing together amidst the ashes of their home in Altadena, Calif., after wildfires ravaged their property. The video, originally posted by Nicole Tittmann, has since gone viral, offering a glimpse of resilience amid tragedy.

The clip features nine family members and friends singing on the charred remains of their home, with smoke-filled skies and burned houses in the background. Karolyn Dudro, one of the singers, expressed gratitude to Midler for amplifying their story, writing, “So glad we can offer some small comfort to those who have lost so much! Thank you @bettemidler.”

Andrew Halpin, a family member, revealed in a comment that the property had been their home for 37 years. He noted that a statue of the Virgin Mary was among the few items to survive the blaze. A GoFundMe campaign set up by Pete Halpin to assist the family has raised over $94,000.

Midler, 79, expressed her heartbreak over the wildfires in a separate Instagram post on Thursday, Jan. 9. “To everyone living through the apocalyptic and unbelievable fires of the last few days, who have lost everything and now have the enormous task of getting back on their feet; I am devastated and heartbroken for all of us,” she wrote. She concluded with a message of hope: “I wish only the best for our beloved city, now and always.”

The wildfires, which began on Jan. 7 in Pacific Palisades, have displaced over 80,000 people and claimed at least 11 lives. The Eaton Fire, which started later that evening, has burned 10,000 acres across Pasadena and Altadena, leaving many homes destroyed. Evacuations continue in areas including Encino, Brentwood, and near the Getty Center as the fire spreads.

Celebrities such as Leighton Meester, Adam Brody, and Cary Elwes have also shared their experiences of being affected by the wildfires, either through evacuations or property loss. The disaster has united the community in grief and resilience, as seen in the Halpin family’s moving tribute to their lost home.