Oscar nominations postponed due to LA fires: More Hollywood delays, cancellations

Several major events of Hollywood's awards season have been canceled or delayed in the wake of the Pacific Palisades fire in Los Angeles.

On Monday, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences postponed the announcement of the 2025 Oscar nominations for a second time. The nominees will now be revealed on Jan. 23 during a virtual event with no in-person media coverage. The nominations were originally set to be announced on Jan. 17.

Additionally, the Academy extended this year's Oscar nominations voting period through Jan. 17 and canceled the annual nominees luncheon, which was scheduled for Feb. 10.

"We are all devastated by the impact of the fires and the profound losses experienced by so many in our community," said Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang.

"The Academy has always been a unifying force within the film industry, and we are committed to standing together in the face of hardship."

Meanwhile, the Recording Academy confirmed in a letter to members obtained by USA TODAY on Monday that the 2025 Grammys "will proceed as planned" on Feb. 2. However, the telecast will "carry a renewed sense of purpose: raising additional funds to support wildfire relief efforts and honoring the bravery and dedication of first responders who risk their lives to protect ours."

The Critics' Choice Awards, an annual star-studded ceremony honoring the best in cinema, was previously postponed to Jan. 26 after its 2025 edition was scheduled to take place on Jan. 12. The ceremony's suspension is in observance of "the catastrophic fires ravaging Southern California," according to an official statement.

"This unfolding tragedy has already had a profound impact on our community," CCA CEO Joey Berlin said in a statement to USA TODAY. "All our thoughts and prayers are with those battling the devastating fires and with all who have been affected."

The rescheduled Critics' Choice Awards will remain at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica. The ceremony will broadcast live on E! and be available on streaming service Peacock the next day.

'Fleeing for our lives': Mark Hamill, more celebrities evacuate amid Los Angeles wildfires

Six blazes erupted across LA since Tuesday, obliterating neighborhoods and leaving a catastrophic trail of destruction. Three of the six fires remained active on Sunday.

Santa Ana winds that have fueled the blazes for the past week were picking up Sunday morning in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, then were expected to weaken in the afternoon before strengthening Sunday night through Wednesday, with the worst of it occurring on Tuesday. Gusts of 30-50 mph were possible, forecasters said.

The Eaton Fire, which ignited 30 miles inland in Altadena near Pasadena, quickly grew to more than 13,000 acres. The Palisades Fire, which pulverized buildings, was burning at nearly 20,000 acres between the beach towns of Santa Monica and Malibu.

As Jamie Lee Curtis announced a $1 million donation to help victims of the LA fires and William McNamara swooped in to rescue pets, "This Is Us" star Milo Ventimiglia, Paris Hilton, and reality stars Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag were among the celebrities whose homes were destroyed in the blaze. Other events, such as the premiere of Jennifer Lopez's film "Unstoppable," were also canceled due to the fiery conditions.

The Weeknd cancels Rose Bowl show, postpones album release

In light of the wildfires' impact on the Los Angeles community, Grammy-winning R&B singer The Weeknd announced the cancellation of his concert at the Rose Bowl, originally scheduled for Jan. 25, on Instagram Monday. He also revealed the postponement of his sixth album, "Hurry Up Tomorrow," which will now be released Jan. 31.

"This city has always been a profound source of inspiration for me, and my thoughts are with everyone impacted during this difficult time," The Weeknd wrote. "My focus remains on supporting the recovery of these communities and aiding its incredible people as they rebuild."

WGA Awards reschedules nominations announcement again

The Writers Guild of America Awards in a statement last week said: "With Los Angeles under a state of emergency due to multiple wildfires, we will be delaying the announcement of nominees until Monday, January, 13, 2025."

On Monday, though, WGA West and East said the announcement would be delayed again "until further notice."

Duchess Meghan's new Netflix show delays premiere due to LA fires

On Jan. 2, the Duchess of Sussex released the trailer for her much-anticipated Netflix lifestyle show "With Love, Meghan," which was set to premiere on the streaming service on Jan. 15.

On Sunday, Jan. 12, Netflix announced that "At the request of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and with the full support of Netflix, the release of the show — a heartfelt tribute to the beauty of Southern California — has been moved from its previously announced January premiere date to March 4, due to the ongoing devastation caused by the Los Angeles wildfires."

"I'm thankful to my partners at Netflix for supporting me in delaying the launch, as we focus on the needs of those impacted by the wildfires in my home state of California," Markle said in the statement to Netflix.

The show will now be released on March 4, 2025.

More: Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan encourage aid for Los Angeles wildfires victims

Jean Smart calls for awards season changes

Actress Jean Smart took to Instagram Wednesday with a message for television executives about future awards shows amid the damage.

"Attention! With ALL due respect, during Hollywood’s season of celebration, I hope any of the networks televising the upcoming awards will seriously consider NOT televising them and donating the revenue they would have garnered to victims of the fires and the firefighters," Smart wrote.

BAFTA Tea Party canceled due to Los Angeles wildfire

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts' 2025 Tea Party, which was scheduled to take place Saturday at The Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, was canceled due to the raging Pacific Palisades fire, the organization confirmed to USA TODAY in a statement.

"In light of the dangerous winds and wildfires in Los Angeles, we are cancelling this weekend's BAFTA Tea Party," the statement read. "The safety of our colleagues, friends and peers in Los Angeles remains our utmost priority and our thoughts are with everyone impacted."

Pacific Palisades fire in Hollywood: Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag's home burns down

During awards season, the BAFTA Tea Party is a key industry event that allows film professionals to network ahead of the Academy Awards in March.

AFI Fest postponed indefinitely

Friday's AFI Awards luncheon, honoring the American Film Institute's 10 best movies and TV shows, was postponed indefinitely on Wednesday.

"Given the tragedies that prevail in Los Angeles," an AFI statement said. "The spirit of community we strive for will be unachievable on Friday."

Pamela Anderson's 'The Last Showgirl' premiere canceled

The Los Angeles premiere of Pamela Anderson's latest film, "The Last Showgirl," has been canceled.

'I have nothing to lose': Pamela Anderson on her 'Last Showgirl' dream role

"In light of the devastation in LA County, and out of an abundance of caution for everyone involved, the Los Angeles premiere for Roadside Attractions' 'The Last Showgirl' has been cancelled," a representative confirmed to USA TODAY Wednesday. The premiere was originally scheduled for Thursday at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California.

"We are thankful to all first responders and our thoughts are with the people being affected," the statement continued.

This story was updated to correct a typo and add new information.

Contributing: USA TODAY staff

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: LA fires delay Oscar nominations, Meghan Markle's Netflix show