Beyoncé is donating $2.5 million help victims of the California wildfires.
The pop star announced the money will be given to the LA Fire Relief Fund through her BeyGOOD Foundation to help victims of the wildfires, which have devastated large swathes of southern California since they broke out last week. The BeyGOOD Foundation has previously contributed over $10 million to various humanitarian causes since its inception.
“Los Angeles we stand with you. BeyGOOD is taking action by announcing the LA Fire Relief Fund with a donation of 2.5 million dollars,” a message posted on the charity’s Instagram page stated. “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 announcement reached over 5 million social media users within hours.
Beyoncé’s donation comes after the Walt Disney Company pledged $15 million to help rebuild communities devastated by the fires while Paramount and Fox Corp. handed over $1 million in contributions to the American Red Cross and the Los Angeles Fire Department. Corporate donations have now exceeded $25 million in total relief funds.
The fires broke out last Tuesday (07.01.25) and at least 24 people have been confirmed dead with thousands more having lost their homes – including celebrities such as Mel Gibson, Paris Hilton and Billy Crystal. The disaster has affected over 50,000 acres of land, making it one of the largest wildfires in California’s recent history.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and her husband Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex have been among the famous faces trying to help out with the royals joining efforts to distribute food and supplies to victims of the wildfires in Pasadena, where they also thanked first responders and met with affected families. Their volunteer work has inspired hundreds of local residents to join relief efforts.
The couple live in Montecito – around 90 miles north of the affected area – and they are believed to have offered their $14 million mansion as a refuge to friends fleeing the fires, which have left more than 100,000 people displaced. Local shelters report being at maximum capacity with the influx of evacuees.
The duchess has also announced she’s delaying the launch of her new Netflix series ‘With Love, Meghan’ because of the disaster. The decision reflects growing sensitivity among celebrities to timing content releases during major crises.
The show had been due to hit screens on January 15 but at her request, the streaming service will now hold back the lifestyle show until 4 March. Industry analysts estimate the delay could cost the production company several million dollars in marketing adjustments.
“I’m thankful to my partners at Netflix for supporting me in delaying the launch, as we focus on the needs of those impacted by the wildfires in my home state of California,” she said in a statement. The postponement has been widely praised by community leaders and environmental activists.
The current wildfire crisis has mobilized an unprecedented response from the entertainment industry, with more than 50 celebrities participating in various relief efforts. Local community organizations report receiving record numbers of volunteer applications and donations since the disaster began.
Emergency response teams continue to battle the blazes, with over 3,000 firefighters working around the clock. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has allocated additional resources to support state and local efforts, including the deployment of specialized equipment and personnel from neighboring states.
Climate scientists warn that California’s wildfire season has grown increasingly severe in recent years, with the current disaster highlighting the urgent need for improved prevention and response strategies. Environmental experts estimate that recovery efforts could take several years and cost billions of dollars.
