The Weeknd is the latest celeb to pledge their support to wildfire relief efforts in Southern California.
Through his XO Humanitarian Fund and the World Food Program USA, the 4x Grammy winner (whose real name is Abel Tesfaye) has donated $1 million to the LAFD Foundation, GoFundMe’s Wildfire Relief Fund and LA Regional Food Bank.
He announced his donation after postponing the release party for his sixth studio album Hurry Up Tomorrow to Jan. 31 at Pasadena’s Rose Bowl “out of respect and concern for the people of Los Angeles County.” Much of the city was impacted by the Eaton Fire.
“This city has always been a profound source of inspiration for me, and my thoughts are with everyone impacted during this difficult time,” wrote Tesfaye in a statement. “My focus remains on supporting the recovery of these communities and aiding its incredible people as they rebuild.”
His donation comes after Beyoncé previously pledged $2.5 million to wildfire relief, with Taylor Swift, Paris Hilton, Jennifer Garner, Sharon Stone, Halle Berry and more also making donations.
Los Angeles Fire Fighters and Sacramento Fire Fighters Urban Search & Rescue team inspect a burned house from the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood on Jan. 16, 2025. (Apu Gomes/Getty Images)
Apu Gomes/Getty Images
Meanwhile, stars like Hilton, Milo Ventimiglia, Adam Brody, Leighton Meester and Billy Crystal have lost their homes in the wildfires, which broke out in the Pacific Palisades, Eaton Canyon, Malibu, the Hollywood Hills and other areas around Los Angeles County amid a “life-threatening and destructive” windstorm that picked up last week.
As of Wednesday, at least 25 people have died in the Southern California wildfires. Meanwhile, more than 105,000 people received mandatory evacuation orders, which have begun lifting. Since the fires started, officers have made 44 arrests across the impacted areas, including for arson, burglary, breaking curfew and other violations.
President Joe Biden, who extended his Los Angeles trip last week to visit first responders and those affected, declared the fires a major disaster and directed the federal government to cover 100% of costs for disaster assistance.
