For the first time in its 96-year history, the Oscars could face cancellation due to the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. The Academy Award committees are keeping a close eye on developments as the ceremony nears.
The city has been ravaged by the fires, with many losing their homes and livelihoods. There are concerns that holding the event might be considered insensitive under the circumstances, reports suggest.
This year’s nominations have already seen delays, with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences voicing concern for the “many” members impacted, especially in the Pacific Palisades where several stars have lost their residences. The announcement of the nominations for the 97th Academy Awards has been pushed back from January 17 to January 19, with an extension of the voting period as well.
The Oscars are set to take place on March 3. A source told the Sun: “The board’s main concern at this time is to not look like they are celebrating while many Los Angelenos are dealing with heartbreak and unimaginable loss,” adding, “And certainly, even if the fires went out in the next week, the reality is that the city is still hurting and will be dealing with that pain for months. So the hierarchy decided that the focus will be support and fundraising when the right opportunities present themselves.”
The devastating wildfires have claimed 24 lives, and fears mount that the death toll will increase. In a heart-wrenching development amid the chaos, over 200,000 individuals were compelled to evacuate, with 88,000 still under evacuation directives, reports the Mirror.
In a tragic turn of events, British-born Rory Callum Sykes lost his life at 32 in the Los Angeles blazes.
Rory, whose origins trace back to the UK, relocated to Australia during his childhood before finally making his home in LA, where his mother, Shelley Sykes, owned TV studios. Despite being born blind and with cerebral palsy, Rory pursued a successful career, initially appearing on TV shows like ‘Kiddy Kapers’ and later becoming a motivational speaker and author.
Speaking to Australia’s 10 News First, a grieving Shelley revealed: “He was my baby, and he died needlessly. Guess what didn’t work? 991. All the phone lines were down.”
Distraught, she recounted the impossible situation as she suffered her own injury: “He said, ‘Mum, leave me,’ and no mum can leave their kid, and I’ve got a broken arm. I couldn’t lift him. I couldn’t move him.”
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The wildfires also claimed the life of Dalyce Curry, a 95 year old Hollywood actress known affectionately as Momma D. Her acting credits include iconic films such as ‘The Blues Brothers’, ‘The Ten Commandments’, and ‘Lady Sings the Blues’.
Dalyce was tragically found in her ravaged home in Altadena during the catastrophic Eaton Fire.
Shocking images have surfaced, revealing entire neighbourhoods decimated by the raging fires, with families fleeing their homes and firefighters tirelessly battling the blaze. The National Weather Service (NSW) has warned that the gusty Santa Ana winds are set to worsen this week, leading to rare Red Flag Warnings over the “particularly dangerous situation” – an alert typically issued for the most severe fire weather conditions.
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