Oscars host Conan O’Brien revealed that he remains unable to return to his home due to the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, O’Brien said the Academy Awards organisers are working to ensure the show is mindful of the tragedy affecting the community.
“Everybody I know has been affected,” O’Brien stated. “I’m out of my house.
Fortunately, the fire got very close, but my house survived. However, we won’t be back in there for a long time. And I’m the lucky one. So many people I know lost their homes. We want to make sure the show reflects what’s happening and highlights the right people in the right way.”
The recent wildfires tore through the Pacific Palisades and Altadena neighbourhoods, destroying thousands of homes. Even those whose properties were spared often cannot return due to smoke damage or other hazards.
O’Brien, who was selected last year to host the 97th Academy Awards on March 2 in Los Angeles, acknowledged the challenges of proceeding with the event during such a time. The fires had already delayed the Academy’s nominations announcement twice. The nominees were revealed on Thursday, with Emilia Pérez emerging as the frontrunner.
The wildfires have disrupted Hollywood’s awards season, with some questioning whether the Oscars should be cancelled.
However, organisers have committed to reshaping the event to
“unite us as a global film community and acknowledge those who fought so bravely against the wildfires.”
“We want to be sensitive to the moment and to what’s happened,” O’Brien emphasised.
“It’s top of our minds, and we’re discussing it constantly. The Oscars is still five weeks away, and we want to create a show that reflects what people are feeling in that moment—not what we think today, not what we think on March 3, but the best show for March 2.”
O’Brien spoke during the premiere of his latest film, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, co-starring Rose Byrne.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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