Music : Fundraiser launched for Empress Of and family after losing home in LA wildfires

A fundraiser has been launched for Empress Of and her family after they lost their home in the ongoing Los Angeles wildfires.

The home, owned by Empress Of – real name Lorely Rodriguez – and her mother Reyna was one of many that were caught in the fires that began in Los Angeles on Tuesday (January 7).

The fires quickly developed into five concurrent fires in separate neighbourhoods, and so far over 180,000 residents and counting have been forced to evacuate their homes. At the time of writing, 10 deaths have been confirmed, per NBC News.

Now, a fundraiser has been launched to help support the musician and her family, as it has been confirmed that they have “lost everything”.

“We’re asking for your help to raise funds for our dear friend Lorely Rodriguez and her mother Reyna after the loss of their house in Altadena two nights ago,” reads the description on GoFundMe. “Some of you might know Lorely as Empress Of. She’s a musician in our community here in LA. She is also a daughter and a sibling in a family that have now lost everything.”

“Reyna’s home, which was the family hub for Lorely and her siblings for decades, was tragically lost in the fires in Altadena. This has meant that four members of the family are now without a home,” it added. “With no time to pack, the family are in need of clothes, bedding, food, temporary housing and money in order to rebuild their lives.”

“Lorely has given endlessly to the community through her kindness, music and art over the years, just as Reyna has for hers. Reyna aka ‘Latina Knowles’ on Instagram, has sewn Lorely’s stage costumes for many years. All designed and brainstormed in the house they loved so dearly. Please help us raise these funds and show this family the love and support they have always shown to those around them.”

At time of writing 632 donations have been made to the fundraiser, and $48,369 (£39,267) of $65,000 (£53,290) goal has been raised. Visit here to find out more and to donate. Empress Of has also shared the page on social media, along with images of the damage (above).

Empress Of’s latest album arrived in 2023 in the form of ‘For Your Consideration’. It was her fourth studio LP and the follow-up to both 2020’s ‘I’m Your Empress Of’ and 2022 EP ‘Save Me’, and contained the single ‘Kiss Me’ featuring Rina Sawayama.

Among those with homes affected by the wildfires are comedian and actor Billy Crystal, Cary Elwes, Academy Award winner James Woods and Star Wars legend Mark Hamill.

Heroes and This Is Us actor Milo Ventimiglia also choked up during a live interview while discussing watching his house burn down, and a fundraiser for DIIV’s frontman Zachary Cole Smith was launched after his house succumbed to the fires.

According to the latter’s GoFundMe campaign launched by their friend Lindsey Hartman, Smith and his family are safe but have unfortunately had their house burnt and destroyed in the fires.

Yesterday (January 9), Paris Hilton shared her experience of watching her home burn on television, and Hollywood legend Sir Anthony Hopkins became one of the latest to lose his home.

A host of musicians and actors have expressed their sadness over the wildfires and offered their support including Billie Eilish and Ariana Grande.

Earlier today (January 10) an arrest was made in relation to the ongoing fires, with the person suspected of starting the Kenneth Fire in the West Hills area.