Jamie Lee Curtis faces backlash for comparing LA wildfires to Gaza crisis: 'Completely atrocious'

Oscar-winning actor Jamie Lee Curtis is facing criticism for comparing the destructive wildfires in Los Angeles to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
According to RadarOnline.com, the 66-year-old actor sparked controversy when she made the comparison during a recent Q&A for her upcoming film The Last Showgirl.

During the session, the actor shared, “I am born and raised in the City of Angels. And the entire City of Angels is on fire, everywhere. The entire city of the Pacific Palisades is gone. I mean literally my neighborhood – gone. My house tonight is still there but I live in a different canyon. But the entire Pacific Palisades looks like, unfortunately, Gaza, or one of these war-torn countries where awful things have happened”.
“And there are now fires breaking out everywhere. So it feels totally bizarre to be talking about a movie, and yet it's a piece of art, and art will save us no matter what,” she added.
The actor later revealed that she had made a $1 million donation to relief funds to support Los Angeles during the devastating wildfires.
Social media users expressed anger over her comments, condemning the Hollywood actor for comparing the wildfires to the Gaza conflict.
“I live in California, and you would never find me comparing these fires to Gaza … both tragedies but not comparable AT ALL,” one user wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Another user commented, “The flippant way people talk about Gaza. As if it wasn't a real tragedy until those scenes started being reflected in their gated communities. It's gross."
“Why would she say that? This is a completely atrocious comparison,” one comment read. One user shared, “This comparison is inappropriate and lacks sensitivity to the actual experiences of those living in war-torn regions”.
Amid the backlash, some social media users attempted to understand the actor’s intent behind her comment.
"I see what Jamie Lee Curtis is saying, and honestly, I kind of get it, the fires are devastating, and sometimes you need a big comparison to really drive the point home. Sure, mentioning Gaza might stir some debate, but I think her heart's in the right place, she's just trying to get people to realize how bad things really are,” one wrote.
Five powerful wind-driven fires have killed at least 11 people and ravaged 37,900 acres in the greater Los Angeles area, destroying entire communities and over 12,000 structures. The fires, which began earlier this week, have forced the evacuation of at least 153,000 residents for their safety.