Did you see that scorched Oscar? Here’s what we know about the viral photo making the rounds amid L.A. wildfires
Among the shocking images emerging from the fatal wildfires consuming the greater Los Angeles region is one that purports to speak to the tragedy from a uniquely Hollywood perspective: The photo, which has been shared by Isabella Rossellini among others, depicts an Academy Award statuette resting atop rubble. The sword-wielding Oscar is scuffed up and missing some bronze and gold plating; the black film reel he’s standing on is melted and misshapen.
The presumption is that the statuette survived a fire in an industry person’s home, symbolic of the destruction wrought by multiple blazes traumatizing the LA area. But given all the disinformation, conspiracy theories, and AI-generated forgeries being spread online, there is a question of whether the singed Oscar is a genuine photograph or a hoax.
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Gold Derby has yet to ascertain the veracity of the image; the Film Academy is equally unsure. A well-placed source in the organization could not confirm if the photograph was authentic, but if it is the real deal, there’s a bit of good news for its owner. “Any Oscar winner whose statuette was destroyed in the fires can contact us,” the Academy source said, “and we will absolutely be happy to replace it.”
Of course replacing statuettes is a mere footnote to the greater tragedy. The wind-fed wildfires have swept through more than 40,000 acres in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, leaving at least 24 people dead, leveling entire neighborhoods, destroying more than 12,300 structures, and displacing 92,000 people as of Monday. The fires have particularly devastated the communities of Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Altadena, and Pasadena.
Hollywood has scrambled to react to the catastrophe, postponing or outright canceling several events. For example, earlier Monday, the Film Academy extended Oscar voting through Jan. 17, with the nominations announcement rescheduled to Jan. 23. Numerous entertainment companies have also stepped up, with both Netflix and Comcast on Monday announcing pledges of $10 million apiece to fire-relief efforts.
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