Stephen King Calls for Oscars Cancellation Amid LA Wildfires, Sparks Backlash

Wildfires in Los Angeles have been raging for more than a week now, and they caused widespread destruction, with at least 25 people confirmed dead. The fires, fueled by severe drought and strong winds, are affecting 45 square miles of densely populated areas.

Thousands of firefighters are working tirelessly to control the flames, but the damage is significant, and many people have been forced to evacuate. The Palisades and Eaton Fires, both starting on January 7, have destroyed thousands of structures and continue to burn, though containment efforts are underway.

Due to all this, it’s not surprising that many people, including celebrities, are talking about it online.

As we know, the Oscars season is drawing closer and as we are counting nominations and predicting which motion picture will take home the coveted award, Stephen King has a different proposal in mind.

Stephen King is the latest celebrity to call for the cancellation of this year’s Oscars due to the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. “Not voting in the Oscars this year,” King wrote on Bluesky, the platform he joined after leaving X. “IMHO they should cancel them. No glitz with Los Angeles on fire.”

Not voting in the Oscars this year. IMHO they should cancel them. No glitz with Los Angeles on fire.

— Stephen King (@stephenking.bsky.social) January 15, 2025 at 4:44 PM

Despite this, the Academy has confirmed that the 2025 Oscars will still take place on March 2. The argument for moving forward with the ceremony is that canceling it wouldn’t help anyone while using the global platform to raise money for wildfire relief could be beneficial.

The Oscars are likely to focus on supporting victims of the fires while avoiding the appearance of insensitivity.

The Academy’s leadership has decided that the Oscars will proceed as planned, aiming to hold the ceremony in a dignified manner while raising funds for wildfire relief efforts. Jean Smart had previously suggested canceling the show and donating the revenue to fire victims, but her post, like Stephen King’s, received backlash.

Many followers on Bluesky, including some left-leaning users, disagreed with the idea of canceling the event. One pointed out that awards show workers had already faced financial struggles due to COVID-19 and union negotiations, while another argued that America needs a distraction from current hardships, emphasizing that “the show must go on.”

What do you think? Let us know in the comments below!