Tyra Banks Opens Up About Her Home Loss in L.A. Fires
Tyra Banks has shared her experience of losing her home in Los Angeles. On January 20, during an appearance on the Australian morning show Sunrise, she revealed her house was among those destroyed by the wildfires that began on January 7. The supermodel, 51, and her partner, businessman Louis Bélanger-Martin, learned this devastating news while in Australia.
Banks expressed her heartache, stating, "I lost my house." She admitted she had not spoken about it much to avoid drawing attention to herself. "I feel like there are a lot of people that need that attention," she explained, emphasizing her desire to support those affected.
Reflecting on the moment she received the news, Banks shared, "We were at a friend’s house, and I kept checking my phone, not for my house, but for friends and family." She recalled asking her partner about the situation, receiving a nod in response. To hold back her emotions, she chose to remain present with her friends at the time.
Fortunately, Banks and Bélanger-Martin divide their time between Australia and New York. This arrangement meant that most of her belongings were safe. "A lot of those mementos are here and in New York, so I didn’t lose that, thank goodness," she said. However, she acknowledged having lost some sentimental items, calling the situation "tough."
The fires were fueled by strong Santa Ana winds and significantly dry conditions, leading to the destruction of thousands of homes in Los Angeles. At least 25 fatalities were reported, and the Associated Press indicated the flames consumed 63 square miles of land. Other celebrities, such as Spencer Pratt, Heidi Montag, Paris Hilton, and Billy Crystal, also suffered home losses in the disaster.
Montag expressed her disbelief when she realized she and her family had to evacuate due to the advancing fire in Pacific Palisades. "I didn’t know what to do," she told Us Weekly on January 15, highlighting the confusion and panic in that moment. She immediately began packing key items without much thought, focusing on "the kids’ stuff."
In her frantic rush, Montag noted, "I have no photos." She lost cherished albums that she crafted before the advent of Instagram, TikTok, and iPhones. "These photos... I’ll never have again," she lamented, emphasizing the emotional toll of losing those sentimental memories.
Earlier, SSP wrote that Spencer Pratt discussed TikTok earnings following a home loss in LA fire.