Mel Gibson has been met with backlash from social media users after discussing a conspiracy theory on live TV regarding the Los Angeles wildfires.
The 69-year-old actor revealed over the weekend that he had lost his Malibu home in the blaze after it succumbed to the flames while he was a guest on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast.
Speaking on Elizabeth Vargas Reports on NewsNation, Gibson revealed he was in Austin, Texas, when he found out that his multi-million dollar mansion was “completely toasted” ,describing the loss as both “devastating” and “emotional”.
“I’ve never seen such a complete burn,” Gibson said. “It is obviously devastating, it’s emotional. You live there for a long time, and you had all your stuff. I lived there for about 14, 15 years, so it was home to me.”
Now, Gibson has appeared on Fox News’ The Ingraham Angle to speak about a conspiracy theory that even he admitted was “insane”.
He told the host: “I know they were messing with the water, letting reserves go for one reason or another. They’ve been doing that a while. California has a lot of problems that sort of baffle the mind as far as why they do things.”
Gibson then asked the questions, “Is it on purpose?” and “Do they want the state empty?”
The actor then admitted he was guilty of concocting “horrible theories” about the fires in his mind, adding: “I can make all kinds of horrible theories up in my head, conspiracy theories and everything else, but it just seemed a little convenient that there was no water.”
“And that the wind conditions were right and that there are people ready and willing and able to start fires,” Gibson continued. “And are they commissioned to do so or acting on their own volition? I don’t know. But they seem pretty well equipped these people that they are catching.”
During their discussion, Ingraham said: “Well, now there’s already talk. And we played a couple of soundbites. Of re-imagining the way rebuilding occurs.
“And obviously there’s a great need for high-density housing in California and across the country. That’s a big push by the climate folks. And you’re already hearing rumblings of that. In this case, like goodbye single-family homes. Hello high-density housing!”
In response to the segment, viewers took to X to bash the actor’s baseless claims.
“Conspiracy theories are his last claims to fame,” one person wrote, with another adding: “The has been is now an expert on water reserves.”
A third tweeted: “I will never watch another movie with him in it.”
“Mel needs a rest,” one viewer responded, with another simply writing: “Shameful.”
The fires remain one of the most destructive and costly disasters in US history.
At least 16 people have lost their lives — 11 in the Eaton Fire and five in the Palisades Fire. Thirteen others remain missing, as of this writing.
As firefighters continue to contain the blazes, officials have issued critical health and safety warnings to the public:
Water Safety: Residents in and around Pacific Palisades have been advised not to drink tap water due to potential contamination from the fires. Bottled water is being distributed at Westwood Recreation Centre and Brentwood Country Club.
Air Quality: The LA County Public Health Department has urged residents to avoid using power blowers like leaf blowers to limit exposure to ash, smoke, and particulate matter worsened by the fires and windstorm conditions.
Ocean Waters: Authorities have also warned against swimming, surfing, or playing in ocean waters between Surfrider Beach and Dockweiler State Beach, covering a 20-mile stretch. “People entering these waters could become ill,” the department stated.
Meanwhile, early estimates suggest that recovery efforts in the Los Angeles area could cost upwards of $150 billion, per AccuWeather.
Our thoughts continue to go out to everybody impacted by this unfolding tragedy.
Jesy Nelson reveals she’s pregnant with twins
Jesy Nelson has shared exciting news with fans, announcing she is expecting twins with fellow musician Zion Foster.
The 33-year-old former Little Mix star revealed her pregnancy on Instagram Sunday (January 12), posting a photo of her growing baby bump alongside Zion, 26.
The announcement came months after the pair were reported to have split last September.
In the post, Jesy cheekily noted she’s now “eating for three.”
The announcement has been flooded with congratulatory messages from fans, with one person writing: “You deserve every happiness Jesy! Congratulations.”
“The best news,” another added. “Congratulations to you both.”
Jesy also joins fellow Little Mix member Leigh-Anne Pinnock as a mom of twins, after the latter welcomed her two daughters with partner Andre Gray back in 2021.
Little Mixer Perrie Edwards is also a mom, after welcoming a son named Axel Xander Oxlade-Chamberlain back in 2021.
Jesy and Zion first sparked romance rumors in January 2022. Their relationship faced challenges, including their nine-year age gap, which reportedly contributed to a breakup in November 2023, per the Daily Mail.
The couple reconciled shortly afterward, only to reportedly “split” again five months ago, according to The Sun.
Fans speculated about their separation last September when both Jesy and Zion removed traces of each other from their social media accounts. At the time, Zion confirmed the breakup in a comment on OK! Magazine’s TikTok, saying: “Beautiful woman inside and out, wish her nothing but the best.”
Despite the ups and downs, the pair hinted at a fresh start with the heartwarming pregnancy announcement, showcasing their renewed bond.
The couple had previously collaborated on music, releasing one track together in August, with others reportedly ready for release. However, following their earlier split, a source told The Sun: “Jesy and Zion split last month and have completely cut ties with each other.
“It’s not the first time they have broken up, but friends think it’s for good this time. It’s slightly awkward though because they had an EP ready of music they have made together, and Jesy doesn’t want it released now. Fans have already heard one of their tracks and were hoping for more, but it’s looking pretty unlikely at this point.”
News of their rocky relationship saddened fans, who took to social media to express their upset.
Now, with their pregnancy announcement, fans are hopeful for a brighter chapter for Jesy and Zion as they prepare to welcome twins into their lives.
Milo Ventimiglia fights back tears after home is burned to the ground in LA wildfires days before first baby is due to be born
Milo Ventimiglia has emotionally opened up about seeing the remains of his Malibu home, which burned to the ground in the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles.
The Gilmore Girls alum was one of many celebrities who lost their homes due to the raging wildfires in Southern California.
Over 179,000 residents are under evacuation orders and Los Angeles County’s Medical Examiner has reported 10 fatalities, per The Guardian.
According to PEOPLE, the devastating fires began on Tuesday (January 7), with the Pacific Palisades Fire, which quickly spread through the seaside community. The destruction continued to escalate with the ignition of the Eaton Fire around 6:30PM on that same day and then the Woodley Fire on the following morning.
The Hurst Fire, burning approximately 500 acres, also sparked on Tuesday evening and continued to burn throughout the night. Meanwhile, the Tyler Fire, located near the music festival Coachella, was 50% contained.
However, the situation took a more concerning turn on Thursday with the emergence of the Kenneth Fire, which is currently under investigation as a suspected act of arson, FOX 11 reported.
The 47-year-old actor lived in Malibu with his heavily pregnant wife Jarah Mariano, who he secretly married in 2023.
He appeared on CBS Evening News on Thursday to open up about his heartbreak after he and his wife’s home burned down by the Palisades fire.
“I think there’s a kind of shock moment where you going, ‘Oh, this is real. This is happening,’” he said about watching the footage of their property burn down. “Then, at a certain point, we just turn it off. It’s like, ‘What? What good is it to continue watching?’ We kind of accepted the loss.”
Ventimiglia continued: “You start thinking about all the memories in the different parts of the house and whatnot. Then you see your neighbors’ houses and everything around, and your heart just breaks.”
The Hollywood star fought back tears as he said: “Man, it hits you so quick.”
Watch the interview below:
Ventimiglia shared that “everything was set up” for the imminent birth of their first child, telling the outlet they’ll lean on “good friends” to help them.
“We’ve got good friends, and we’ve got good people we’re working with,” he continued. “We’ll make do. Wife and baby and dog are most important.”
The actor, also known for his role as Jack Pearson in This Is Us, commented on the parallel between his real-life experience and his character’s fate. In the TV series, Jack tragically dies of smoke inhalation after the Pearson family home burns down.
“It’s not lost on me, life imitating art,” Ventimiglia said of the stark similarities.
Firefighters are still battling to control the blazes that are causing widespread devastation in Los Angeles.
The causes of all of the wildfires are under investigation. California fire chief David Acuna has shared that the number of structures demolished by wildfires in recent days has caused “significant shock,” per Sky News.
While acknowledging the absence of “hard data,” he estimated that the wildfires likely resulted in the destruction of more than 10,000 structures.
“It is unusual to have such a densely populated area with such a large fire roll through that,” he said, adding that winds in the following days could lead to further devastation.
The fires have obliterated several homes and businesses, as well as significant landmarks like The Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center and the Palisades Theatre.
Warwick Davis sues hospital for medical negligence after the death of his wife Samantha
Warwick Davis has announced that he is suing the hospital that treated his late wife before her tragic death.
Samantha Davis sadly passed away at the age of 53 on March 24, 2024.
The Harry Potter actor shared the heartbreaking news in a statement to the BBC, which read: “Her passing has left a huge hole in our lives as a family. I miss her hugs.
“She was a unique character, always seeing the sunny side of life she had a wicked sense of humor and always laughed at my bad jokes,” Warwick continued, adding that Samantha was his “most trusted confidant” and “an ardent supporter” of all of the projects throughout his career.
“With her by my side, I was sure I could achieve anything, it was like having a superpower,” he said. “Without Sammy, there would have been no Tenable quiz show, no Willow series. No Idiot Abroad Series 3.”
The 54-year-old actor has retained law firm Irwin Mitchell to represent his family following his wife’s death.
He’s also instructed specialist medical negligence solicitor Madeline Nugent to get as much information as possible about the circumstances surrounding Samantha’s death.
According to the Daily Mail, coroner Mrs Jean Harkin revealed that her inquest would hopefully bring answers.
Davis and his daughter Annabelle were due to take part in the proceedings, which were being held remotely from Inner West London Coroner’s Court. However, the hearing was adjourned before any evidence was delivered to the court as Warwick was unable to connect remotely.
The inquest, which was postponed to a future date “as quickly as possible”, will examine whether the treatment Samantha received at University College London Hospital for her spinal condition played a role in her untimely death.
The Through the Dragon’s Eye actress fell ill with sepsis in 2019 which led to intensive care treatment. This followed operations on her spine that were undertaken at University College London Hospital.
Samantha, who was in Harry Potter alongside her husband, was the co-founder of the dwarfism charity Little People UK, which was set up to help people with dwarfism and their families.
She met her husband of 33 years when she had an uncredited role in his 1988 film Willow. The couple tied the knot in 1991 and had three children, Lloyd, Harrison, and Annabelle, but tragically their eldest died just nine days after he was born.
Samantha’s two children issued a statement honoring their late mom, which read: “Her love and happiness carried us through our whole lives. Mum is our best friend and we’re honored to have received a love like hers.”
The actor said in recent years his wife’s mobility had become impaired but she was “determined that it would not impact her quality of life,” per BBC.
Blake Lively’s lawyers issue new statement after Justin Baldoni claims he was ‘sent to the basement’ during film premiere
Blake Lively’s legal team has shared a new statement after Justin Baldoni claimed he was “sent to the basement” during the It Ends with Us premiere.
Last month, the 37-year-old actress filed a lawsuit against Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment and orchestrating a smear campaign against her after the pair starred in the adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel.
The Gossip Girl alum alleged that there was inappropriate behavior from the 40-year-old while they were on the film set, claiming that he asked about her sex life with her husband Ryan Reynolds, and commented on her body.
She is also suing Baldoni’s crisis manager, Melissa Nathan, as well as his publicist Jennifer Abel, and Wayfarer Studios, which produced the movie.
In response, the Jane The Virgin actor’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, has labeled Lively’s allegations as “completely false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt and rehash a narrative in the media.”
While Baldoni has yet to file a countersuit against Lively, he has launched a $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times for alleged libel, false light invasion of privacy, promissory fraud, and breach of contract.
The publication published an article featuring Lively’s claims, including her statement which read: “I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct and helps protect others who may be targeted.”
In his filing, Baldoni states: “The Times story relied almost entirely on Lively’s unverified and self-serving narrative, lifting it nearly verbatim while disregarding an abundance of evidence that contradicted her claims and exposed her true motives.”
And Freedman told Page Six in a statement: “In this vicious smear campaign fully orchestrated by Blake Lively and her team, the New York Times cowered to the wants and whims of two powerful ‘untouchable’ Hollywood elites, disregarding journalistic practices and ethics once befitting of the revered publication by using doctored and manipulated texts and intentionally omitting texts which dispute their chosen PR narrative.
The New York Times has vowed to defend itself against Baldoni’s allegations.
Amid these legal proceedings, a leaked voicemail recorded by Baldoni has circulated online, reportedly detailing his account of events at the It Ends With Us premiere.
As cited by Variety, the director is heard telling his team in the alleged voice message: “On what could have been one of the most beautiful nights of my life career-wise, I literally was sent to the basement with all my friends and family for over an hour because I wasn’t allowed to be seen, she didn’t want me anywhere near her or the rest of the cast.”
“So they ushered me off the carpet and sent us down to the basement, we were down there together, my friends and family, the people that love me the most,” he continued.
“We start laughing because of the ridiculousness of this whole thing and I realize like on a night that was supposed to be so materialistically joyful, I was in the basement with the people that love me the most and we were all joyful and laughing cause none of that sh** matters, none of it.”
The Five Feet Apart star concluded: “That’s not why we’re in the business… to attend a premiere and be celebrated like that, we’re in it because we’re artists and we believe in what we do and because we want to create art that touches people’s souls and can move people. And that’s what we did, that’s what you both did and I believe that will follow us, the truth will prevail and light and love will win.”
Lively’s legal team has issued a new statement to PEOPLE in response to the leaked voicemail, accusing Baldoni, his production studio Wayfarer Studios, and associates of engaging in “unlawful, retaliatory astroturfing’ against Lively ‘for simply trying to protect herself and others on a film set”.
They said the actor’s response to the court filing “has been to launch more attacks against Lively” and added that The Age of Adaline actress’ “serious claims of sexual harassment and retaliation” are “backed by concrete facts”.
“This is not a ‘feud’ arising from ‘creative differences’ or a ‘he said/she said’ situation,” the lawyers said. “Sexual harassment and retaliation are illegal in every workplace and in every industry.”
“A classic tactic to distract from allegations of this type of misconduct is to ‘blame the victim’ by suggesting that they invited the conduct, brought it on themselves, misunderstood the intentions, or even lied,” the team continued. “Another classic tactic is to reverse the victim and offender and suggest that the offender is actually the victim. These concepts normalize and trivialize allegations of serious misconduct.”
“Most importantly, media statements are not a defense to Ms. Lively’s legal claims…We will continue to prosecute her claims in federal court, where the rule of law determines who prevails, not hyperbole and threats,” they ended the statement.
Paris Hilton is ‘heartbroken’ as she watches her home burn down live on TV
Paris Hilton has opened up about her “heartbreak” after watching her home burn down live on TV.
The California wildfires have escalated into a major crisis, forcing over 137,000 residents, including several Hollywood stars like Paris Hilton, to evacuate their homes in what has become the most destructive wildfire in LA’s history.
The devastation is widespread, with at least six wildfires currently raging across the state, including one impacting the affluent Pacific Palisades neighborhood, BBC News reported.
According to AP News, the death toll has tragically risen to at least five, and over 1,000 structures have been demolished by the flames.
“The fire is rapidly expanding,” David Acuna, a battalion chief at the Californian Fire Service, said, cited by The Times. He added that progress on containing the fires “is zero”.
The governor of California, Gavin Christopher Newsom, has obtained a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration from President Joe Biden to support the ongoing response efforts related to the major wildfires in Los Angeles.
“The situation in Los Angeles is highly dangerous and rapidly evolving. President Biden’s swift action is a huge lift for California — as we throw everything we can into protecting residents with substantial state, local, and federal resources,” he said, per a press release.
“To all those in Southern California, please continue to listen to local authorities and don’t wait, evacuate if asked,” Newsom added.
In the wake of the recent wildfires, Paris Hilton has revealed the devastating impact on her Malibu home.
On January 9, the reality TV star penned an emotional Instagram post showing news coverage of the fires, with the caption: “Heartbroken beyond words.”
Check out her post below:The 43-year-old wrote in the caption: “Sitting with my family, watching the news, and seeing our home in Malibu burn to the ground on live TV is something no one should ever have to experience. This home was where we built so many precious memories. It’s where Phoenix took his first steps and where we dreamed of building a lifetime of memories with London.”
“While the loss is overwhelming, I’m holding onto gratitude that my family and pets are safe. My heart and prayers are going out to every family affected by these fires. To all the people who have lost their homes, their memories, and their beloved pets.”
“My heartaches for those still in harm’s way or mourning greater losses. The devastation is unimaginable. To know so many are waking up today without the place they called home is truly heartbreaking,” she continued.
The star wrote that her team at 11:11 Media Impact is “already reaching out to nonprofit organizations” to support those hit by the terrible conditions. She then expressed gratitude to emergency services who are combating the fire.
“To the brave firefighters and first responders risking their lives to protect us—you are true heroes. I am so grateful for your courage, dedication, and the incredible sacrifices you’re making to save lives and fight this unimaginable battle,” she said.
She then urged residents to stay safe and listen to evacuation orders, stressing that “we’re in this together, LA,” before concluding: “You never know when everything could change.”
Officials have shared that high winds and drought, exacerbated by climate change, fuel the heartbreaking wildfires in the state.
“Climate change, including increased heat, extended drought, and a thirsty atmosphere, has been a key driver in increasing the risk and extent of wildfires in the western United States,” the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration added, per BBC.
Governor Newsom noted that “there’s no fire season, it’s fire year,” emphasizing the ongoing threat posed by this destructive event.
