Beyoncé Donates $2.5M to Fire Relief as Meghan Postpones Netflix Show

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Beyoncé has pledged $2.5 million to wildfire relief efforts in Los Angeles, while Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, has delayed the launch of her Netflix series to focus on aiding fire victims. The announcements come as wildfires continue to devastate Southern California, destroying thousands of homes and claiming at least 24 lives.

The BeyGOOD Foundation, established by Beyoncé in 2013, announced the donation Sunday via Instagram. The funds will support families in the Altadena and Pasadena areas who lost homes in the Eaton Fire, as well as churches and community centers providing immediate aid. “The fund is earmarked to aid families in the Altadena/Pasadena area who lost their homes, and to churches and community centers to address the immediate needs of those affected by the wildfires,” the foundation stated.

Meanwhile, Meghan Markle postponed the debut of her Netflix lifestyle series, “With Love, Meghan,” from this week to March 4. The Duchess, who was born and raised in Los Angeles, visited Pasadena on Saturday to distribute food and water to fire victims and thank first responders. “With Love, Meghan” features the Duchess engaging in activities like floral arranging and baking, alongside celebrity guests.

Netflix and Comcast NBCUniversal each pledged $10 million to wildfire relief efforts. Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said the funds will be distributed among organizations including the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation and World Central Kitchen. Comcast allocated $2.5 million to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles’ ReBUILD LA initiative.

The Screen Actors Guild also committed $1 million to assist members affected by the fires, while Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS awarded $500,000 in emergency grants for meals, shelter, and medical care. “These wildfires have left deep scars, but they’ve also ignited a powerful wave of support from Broadway to the West Coast,” said Robert E. Wankel, chairman of Broadway Cares.

As of Monday, the Palisades Fire has burned more than 23,700 acres, while the Eaton Fire has consumed over 14,000 acres, destroying more than 12,300 structures. California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency, and President Joe Biden issued a federal disaster declaration. The economic toll is estimated to exceed $57 billion.

Other entertainment industry contributions include $15 million from Warner Bros. Discovery, $5 million from Sony, and $1 million from Paramount Global. Disney previously announced a $15 million donation to relief efforts.

The fires have also impacted cultural heritage, with Belmont Music Publishers reporting the loss of original manuscripts and scores by composer Arnold Schoenberg in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood. “We hope that in the near future we will be able to ‘rise from the ashes’ in a completely digital form,” the company said in a statement.

Despite the devastation, the Sundance Film Festival plans to proceed with its 11-day event in Park City, Utah, next week. “We may mourn, but we also know it is important to carry on,” wrote festival director Eugene Hernandez in a letter to registrants.