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We Are All Los Angeles - What Was Lost, What Was Saved and What's Next

By Fashionista Smile @FashionistSmile
We Are All Los Angeles - What Was Lost, What Was Saved and What's Next

Sometimes it's hard to describe the feeling, but what we can say it's that the Italian Fashionistas aren't indifferent to the Los Angeles wildfires, that's why we would like to share The Hollywood Reporter's latest issue, offering an in-depth examination of this devastating situation that have displaced thousands of residents, destroyed businesses and left the city reeling. As the fires continue to burn, the city has awoken from a week of hell to a new, uncertain reality, taking stock of what was lost (an invaluable cultural heritage), what was saved, what was learned and what's next.

In THR's feature coverage of the wildfires, novelist and screenwriter Matthew Specktor reflects on the lasting impact these fires may have, contemplating the unsettling schadenfreude surrounding the destruction of wealthy enclaves like the Palisades, emphasizing that these areas were far more culturally and economically diverse than commonly understood.

At the same time, Specktor suggests that the fires may intensify the frustration and alienation of those working in an increasingly fractured Hollywood: "The alternative, the panacea for that desperation if there is one, is solidarity." While that sense of unity may feel scarce in today's America, it will be crucial as the nation faces inevitable disasters that affect us all.

We memorialize and pay tribute to the uniquely Los Angeles landmarks and cultural touchstones that were destroyed in the Palisades and Eaton fires, and do so in the words of those who suffered the losses.

Composer Starr Parodi mourns her Wizard of Oz Steinway piano that George Gershwin and Irving Berlin played while owned by MGM.

Screenwriter W. Peter Iliff grieves for the recovery meccas in Malibu that helped save many addicts' lives, including his own.

Jennifer Meyer, Hollywood jeweler (and daughter of Ron Meyer) laments the Reel Inn, where surfers and celebrities alike created memories at the casual eatery.

Plus: Pulitzer prize-winning critic Justin Davidson pays homage to the Ray Kappe Keeler house, a quintessential example of California Modern architecture.

Brande Victorian delves into the tragedy of Altadena's Black community, which saw their heritage razed in the Eaton fire, even as they still harbor hope to return. Bob Hearts Abishola co-creator Gina Yashere, who is currently shooting Star Trek: Starfleet in Toronto, says: "I want to come back and rebuild, but I don't want to be surrounded by tech bros and trust fund babies. I want to be surrounded by the mix of people that made Altadena what it was."

Industry denizens who lost homes reveal the precious objects they grabbed before fleeing.

Melissa Rivers - the TV host and daughter of the legendary Joan Rivers - who lost her home in the Palisades fire, talks about saving her mother's Emmy: "It's hard to believe she only won one. It was after she had gotten back on her feet, after my dad had died in '87. So I know how much that meant to her." She reveals that Joan's legendary joke closet remains safe, but much was lost, including her parent's robust art collection featuring works by Robert Rauschenberg and gifts to her from godfather Vincent Price.

Tech entrepreneur Steve Martocci and music exec Diana Baron both reveal how they saved pieces of music history - the iconic donut dress worn by Phish drummer Jon Fishman and a copy of A Very Special Christmas Album signed by cover artist Kieth Haring, respectively.

Cha Cha Jago, who runs the equestrian concessions at Will Rogers State Historic Park, details the battle to save the 17 horses at her Jigsaw Farms, only to learn after that rescue that her own nearby home had burnt down.

Kevin Cooley, a photographer whose work focuses on fire, was shooting the Palisades Fire when he learned his own house in Altadena was in grave danger. He managed to save a Rolex owned by his grandfather, who survived an earlier L.A. fire - showing both the city's fragility and resilience.

Mental-health professionals say we'll be dealing with the after-effects of this for years across the city. They recommend treating this like grief - even those who didn't lose homes - and lay out a course of finding community, telling stories and even visiting the site when possible to maximize chances of recovering. They also suggest finding out what kind of griever you are - there are vastly different types - and acting accordingly; to not do so could lead to more damage.

Ali MacGraw, who lost her home in the 1993 Malibu fire and took it as a sign to leave Los Angeles for New Mexico, hopes some "really brilliant, cutting-edge architects" band together to build better houses for the area to prevent such devastation from repeating itself. "These fires are here to stay because I don't think anyone is going to fool fires into never happening again," said MacGraw, who also shared her thoughts on humanity moving forward. "The final thing I want to be sure and say, something that is rather important, is that now is an amazing time for people to reach out. It doesn't have to be enormous, even the smallest gesture makes a world of difference. We have to start flipping the language and the emotional behavior of how the world seems to be operating to me right now, with high hysteria, anger and judgment. I'm sick to death of it. There's an easier, softer way."

Hundreds of Hollywood insiders are now "fire families," a distinction former Tamara Conniff knows all too well after surviving the 2023 Lahaina tragedy. "It is my mark now, and that's OK," said the former Roc Nation executive and onetime Billboard editor-in-chief. "I still sometimes take life one minute, one hour, or one day at a time. I know now that the unimaginable can happen. I never knew that before. You can't unknow it. I always have a go-bag ready. I always have a Plan A and Plan B to keep my family safe. I have only seen my husband cry once, when a stranger gave him the shoes off his feet so we could go into the disaster zone. It's moments like this that carry you through."

About The Hollywood Reporter:

The Hollywood Reporter (THR) is a flagship entertainment media brand, offering in-depth reporting, analysis and thought-provoking reviews; unparalleled access, world-class photography and video; and feature exclusives in its award-winning weekly magazine and dynamic website. The Hollywood Reporter also boasts prestigious live events, industry-leading philanthropic, empowerment and diversity initiatives and hugely successful video series including the Emmy-nominated "Close Up with The Hollywood Reporter." It was named best entertainment publication at the 15th annual National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards in December 2022, and best entertainment website at the 16th annual National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards in December 2023. 

Written By: Matthew Specktor

Read the full article HERE

(Courtesy The Hollywood Reporter - Press Office)


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