Beyonce has cancelled her plans to make an announcement amid the devastating scenes in Los Angeles.
The global megastar, 43, had been due to finally share something with excited fans today (14th January) after teasing an announcement following her epic halftime show performance on Christmas Day at the Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston Texans game, with many expecting an upcoming Cowboy Carter tour to be confirmed.
But after weeks of speculation, Beyonce has postponed her announcement – citing respect for those affected by the devastating LA wildfires. The sweeping fires in California have killed 24 people, ravaged communities, and sent thousands frantically fleeing their properties, including areas dotted with celebrity homes.
Beyonce’s decision to postpone her announcement comes as officials warned that winds scattering ash could threaten the progress made so far on the infernos that have sent thousands of people frantically fleeing their properties.
In a statement shared on social media on Monday (13th January), Beyonce told fans: “The January 14th announcement will be postponed to a later date due to the devastation caused by the ongoing wildfires around areas of Los Angeles. I continue to pray for healing and rebuilding for the families suffering from trauma and loss.”
The Texas Hold ‘Em singer, who is said to have donated $2.5million to the LA Fire Relief Fund through her BeyGOOD Foundation, concluded with: “We are so blessed to have brave first responders who continue to work tirelessly to protect the Los Angeles community. To join our efforts in supporting those impacted, please visit @beygood. Love, B.”
On Sunday, the BeyGood foundation Instagram account said it has launched the LA Fire Relief Fund, which “is earmarked to aid families in the Altadena/Pasadena area who lost their homes, and to churches and community centres to address the immediate needs of those affected by the wildfires”. Founded in 2013, the charity concentrates on economic equity, by “supporting marginalised and under-resourced programmes”, according to its mission statement.
Beyonce’s announcement being pushed back is just the latest showbiz event to be rescheduled amid the LA wildfires, with the Oscars nominations being delayed for a second time earlier this week The Academy previously offered a two-day extension to the voting window “to give members more time to cast their ballots”, pushing back the nominations announcement until January 19 as thousands were evacuated from their homes.
On Monday, chief executive Bill Kramer and Academy president Janet Yang confirmed nominations for the 97th Oscars will be rescheduled until January 23 in a virtual event “without in-person media coverage”. “We are all devastated by the impact of the fires and the profound losses experienced by so many in our community,” a joint statement said.
“The Academy has always been a unifying force within the film industry, and we are committed to standing together in the face of hardship. Due to the still-active fires in the Los Angeles area, we feel it is necessary to extend our voting period and move the date of our nominations announcement to allow additional time for our members.”
Mr Kramer and Ms Yang also confirmed they have made “”imperative” changes to scheduled events, including cancelling the annual nominees luncheon, to be “sensitive to the infrastructure and lodging needs of the region in these next few weeks”. The Oscars ceremony remains scheduled for Sunday, March 2 at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood.
Meanwhile the screening of a new Netflix series starring the Duchess of Sussex, which sees her inviting friends and famous guests to a California estate, was also postponed amid the fires. The eight-part series Love, Meghan, which will see the former actress share cooking, gardening and hosting tips, will now premiere on March 4 instead of January 15.
Meghan Markle said in a statement to Tudum, the official companion site to Netflix: “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 and her husband, the Duke of Sussex, hugged residents and spoke to emergency crews at a meal distribution site for people affected by the fires on Friday. It is believed the couple have donated clothing, children’s items and other essential supplies for people affected by the fires.
Follow Mirror Celebs onTikTok,Snapchat,Instagram,Twitter,Facebook,YouTubeandThreads
Celeb obsessed? Get a daily dose of showbiz gossip direct to your inbox
