Mandy Moore is making it clear she won’t tolerate online criticism regarding her efforts to spotlight her in-laws’ recent hardships.
On Thursday, the This Is Us star responded to backlash after sharing a GoFundMe page aimed at helping her in-laws, whose home was destroyed in the ongoing Southern California wildfires.
“Yesterday, my brother-in-law and sister-in-law Griff & Kit lost their home and everything they own in the Eaton Fire,” Moore initially shared in her caption. “With their first baby on the way in a matter of weeks, they need our support now more than ever. Griff is a touring musician and also lost his entire arsenal of drums/percussion he uses to make a living. It’s all so much. So many have asked how to help during this unimaginable and stressful time…Please consider donating and sharing to help them rebuild. Link in bio and all the love….”
Initially seeking $60,000, the GoFundMe campaign has since surpassed $184,000. However, Moore’s decision to promote the fundraiser drew criticism from some social media users who argued that she should use her own funds instead of asking for public contributions. Moore addressed the criticism in an updated caption on her Instagram post.
“And people questioning whether we’re helping out our own family or attributing some arbitrary amount of money google says someone has is NOT helpful or empathetic. Of course we are,” Moore wrote. “Our buddy Matt started this go fund me and I’m sharing because people have asked how they can help them. We just lost most of our life in a fire too. Kindly F OFF. No one is forcing you to do anything.”
Moore also touched on her personal losses. On Thursday, she shared images of her fire-damaged neighborhood on Instagram, writing, “We were able to park and walk up our street to bear witness to all the loss. Miraculously, the main part of our house is still standing.”
She added, “For now. It’s not livable but mostly intact. We lost Taylor and Griffin’s studio with every instrument and piece of equipment they’ve ever owned. We lost our garage and back house. Everyone we know lost everything. Every house on our street is gone. My in-laws. My brother and sister-in-law—6 weeks from welcoming their first baby. Our best friends. Feeling weird survivors’ guilt. We love this community and will do everything we can to help rebuild and support. Thanks to everyone for checking on us and offering us help. Altadena strong.”
Before sharing these updates, Moore posted a video of her family evacuating their home on Wednesday as the Eaton Fire advanced. The wildfire, which has scorched 13,690 acres and is only 3% contained, is one of several destructive blazes in Southern California following a historic Santa Ana windstorm that hit the Los Angeles area earlier in the week.
