‘Can We Take Something Seriously For Once?’: Influencers Slammed For Glamourising LA Wildfires

Last Updated:January 13, 2025, 23:29 IST

The fires, which started on January 7, have already claimed the lives of 10 people, destroyed entire neighbourhoods, and forced 180,000 people to evacuate their homes

TikTok creator Victoria Paris faced criticism for posting a selfie with red skies, while JoJo Siwa also received backlash for sharing her evacuation video. (Image via X)

Social media influencers in Los Angeles have come under fire for posting light-hearted content while the city is grappling with devastating wildfires. The fires, which started on January 7, have already claimed the lives of 10 people, destroyed entire neighbourhoods, and forced 180,000 people to evacuate their homes.

While many residents and Hollywood celebrities have shared the terrifying scenes of red skies and burning palm trees, some influencers continued posting, leading to backlash from online users.

One influencer, TikTok user Lauren Ramos, posted a “get ready with me" video on January 9, describing the chaos around her as she was on evacuation watch. In the video, she calmly applied skincare products while mentioning how she was preparing to leave at any moment, CBC News reported.

‘People are dying’

Ramos also directed her followers to helpful resources for those affected by the wildfires. However, many viewers felt the video was too casual for such a serious situation. “People are dying," one user commented, while another added, “Can we take something serious for once in our lives?"

In a follow-up video, Ramos defended herself, explaining that the video helped her cope with the stress. “If I’m going to sit on here and do my skin care to cope, I’m going to do it," she said, stressing that the video was a way for her to manage her anxiety during a difficult time.

TikTok creator Victoria Paris also received criticism after posting a selfie with the red skies in the background and a caption reading, “7 a.m. in LA." She then shared a brief packing video before evacuating.

One user on X wrote, “LA-based influencers are making the wildfires content opportunities, even using their evacuations as an opportunity to film sponcon—or even spread misinformation about the fires."

“Absolutely gruesome. I predict this will push more calls for industry credibility and regulation," the user added.

Celebrity influencer JoJo Siwa also faced backlash after sharing a video of her evacuation, where she appeared to be laughing while packing her car with essentials, including a stage costume and a construction vest, as alarms blared in the background.

Although the video has since been deleted, screenshots continue to circulate online. One user remarked, “I feel bad for all the non-millionaires losing their homes. I’m glad JoJo is having a good time."

‘No one should be judging’

Despite the criticism, some users defended the influencers, saying everyone handles tragedies differently. “I feel like no one should be judging what others choose to save," one user commented in Siwa’s defence.

While the cause of the wildfires is still unknown, the dry conditions in the area have contributed to the fires’ rapid spread. On Friday, officials expressed optimism that firefighters would make significant progress as the high winds that have been fuelling the flames began to subside. However, meteorologists warned that the winds could pick up again over the weekend.

Last week, US President Joe Biden announced that the federal government would cover the full cost of initial disaster relief, including funding for shelters and hazardous material removal.

United States of America (USA)

News world ‘Can We Take Something Seriously For Once?’: Influencers Slammed For Glamourising LA Wildfires