Mandy Moore’s sister-in-law makes tearful look on CNN after strangers donate $178k to household’s hearth aid fundraiser
Mandy Moore‘s pregnant sister-in-law broke down in tears during a TV interview where she discussed losing her home in the California wildfires.
Kit Goldsmith appeared on CNN with her husband Griffin and spoke of her agony over losing their property, just weeks before she is due to give birth to their first child.
The couple are among the tens of thousands of people who have been displaced by the Eaton Fire and other blazes raging in Los Angeles over the last few days.
‘We are, like everyone in our community in truly unbelievable circumstances,’ Goldsmith said. ‘I don’t think we have had enough time to process what we’re all being confronted with.
‘The idea of trying to figure out where we’re going to be for the next month, where we’re going to have this baby is all really hard to process.’
The couple aren’t even able to take refuge at Moore’s Altadena home as it was also razed in the blaze.
The actress subsequently shared a fundraiser for the expectant parents which has since raised more than $178,000.
Goldsmith explained that worse than losing her home has been the loss of community.
Mandy Moore’s pregnant sister-in-law broke down in tears during a TV interview where she discussed losing her home in the California wildfires
Kit Goldsmith appeared on CNN with her husband Griffin and spoke of her agony over losing their property, just weeks before she is due to give birth to their first child
‘We had so many friends and a massive support group there that I was really planning to lean on,’ Goldsmith added, before collapsing into sobs.
‘Losing them is almost harder than losing our home because I know we’re all going to be scattered from each other.’
The GoFundMe states that the couple ‘lost absolutely everything’ after the fires tore through their home in Altadena.
This includes their new nursery and drummer Griffin’s instruments and recording equipment.
Moore faced a backlash after she publicized their fundraiser including from DailyMail columnist Maureen Callahan, as well as fans questioning if she would use any of her estimated $14 million net worth to help out.
Many people left negative comments following her call for help, with many asking why the star couldn’t just ‘get them a new house.’
‘You can’t help them? You’re millionaires????’ read one comment.
But many stood with Moore amid the criticism, with her fans saying the comments were cruel and lacked sympathy for a tragic event.
Mandy Moore, who also lost her Altadena home, was hit with a backlash after she posted a fundraiser for her family which has since raked in more than $178,000 of donations
The Goldsmith’s home is pictured above before it was destroyed by the fires
One fan wrote: ‘I find it incredibly cruel that in the wake of extreme tragedy & loss that there are so many hateful & hurtful comments here.
‘If you don’t want to donate to this family then don’t but I hope you donate to other organizations in need because there are so many. Please try to lead with empathy.’
The This is Us actress did not hold back when replying to those asking about her contribution.
‘People questioning whether we’re helping out our own family or attributing some arbitrary amount of money Google says someone has is NOT helpful or empathetic,’ Moore snapped.
‘Of course we are. Our buddy Matt started this go fund me and I’m sharing because people have asked how they can help them. We just lost most of our life in a fire too. Kindly F OFF. No one is forcing you to do anything.’
At least 10 people were killed and thousands of structures were burned as fierce wildfires raged in the Los Angeles area, officials said.
Fast-moving flames blazed through homes and businesses as residents fled smoke-filled canyons and picturesque neighborhoods that are home to many celebrities.
Many of the towering fires that began Tuesday were fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds, which gusted to more than 70 mph in some spots.
Many people left negative comments following Moore’s call for help, with many asking why the star couldn’t just ‘get them a new house’
At least 10 people were killed and thousands of structures were burned as fierce wildfires raged in the Los Angeles area
The winds dropped Thursday, but the National Weather Service warned that even the reduced gusts could still spread fire rapidly.
The exact death toll remained unclear, but it was expected to rise as crews begin to search the rubble.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said California has deployed more than 1,400 firefighting personnel to battle the blazes. Oregon, Washington, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona dispatched teams to assist.
AccuWeather, a private company that provides data on weather and its impact, increased its estimate of the damage and economic loss to $135 billion to $150 billion. Government officials have not yet released any damage estimates.
