Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles star Josh Flagg has weighed in on celebrities being affected by the Palisades wildfires in an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com.
Numerous celebrities have lost their multi-million-dollar mega-mansions in the apocalyptic Los Angeles fires that have killed 24 people and burned more than 40,000 acres.
As of Tuesday morning, 88,000 people were under evacuation orders.
A few famous names have faced major backlash for their questionable posts on social media in response to the wildfires, such as Meghan Markle, who was called a ‘disaster tourist,’ and Mandy Moore, after she asked for GoFundMe donations for her family members.
Without naming names, Josh, 39, has made his stance clear amid celebrities facing criticism during the wildfire devastation.
‘I would say everybody’s equal. Everybody’s having a hard time,’ the reality star told DailyMail.com on Tuesday.
Josh Flagg spoke exclusively with DailyMail.com about celebrities being affected by the Los Angeles wildfires and how he’s helping his roster of clients
Meghan Markle received backlash and was branded a ‘disaster tourist’ by filmmaker Justine Bateman after her ‘photo op’ with wildfire victims
Mandy Moore was slammed by her followers for asking for GoFundMe donations for her family members who lost their home
Moore posted information about the fundraising effort for her brother-in-law Griffin Goldsmith and his wife Kit, launched by Matthew Koma, Hilary Duff’s husband
He went on to explain that people could be considered ‘famous’ and not have a lot in their bank account.
‘There’s plenty of celebrities out there that don’t have tons of money. They’re just famous people,’ he continued.
‘Of course, if somebody is privileged enough to have a second home, their life is going to be easier than somebody that doesn’t have a second home.
‘But there are plenty of celebrities that don’t have a lot of money and have one primary residence that lost their home. And I can guarantee you, it’s just as heart wrenching for somebody who’s worth a billion dollars than for somebody who’s worth a hundred dollars, and it doesn’t really matter.’
He added, ‘Everybody’s entitled to feel how they feel. And of course, some people will be hit harder than others, but there’s no reason to make a celebrity or somebody with a ton of money feel like they’re less important.
‘Everybody is equally as important in this world.’
Candy Spelling, for example, is one of Josh’s close celebrity friends. Her and her late husband TV producer Aaron Spelling’s $23M Malibu beach house was destroyed.
‘I’m in shock and processing this massive loss for our family. I am beyond grateful for the memories. It was truly a wonderful gift to have,’ Candy told TMZ.
Candy Spelling (pictured with Josh Flagg) and her late husband TV producer Aaron Spelling’s $23M Malibu beach house was destroyed in the wildfires
Candy (pictured with Tori Spelling, Josh Flagg and Andrew Beyer) said about the loss, ‘I’m in shock and processing this massive loss for our family. I am beyond grateful for the memories’
Candy’s house (brown one pictured) was situated on La Costa Beach and in Spelling’s ownership for 47 years
Candy’s close friend Josh told DailyMail.com, ‘It was a really special house. But at least everybody’s safe’
Josh said in response that she’s ‘sad’ but still has a second home in Los Angeles – a $35 million penthouse in Century City which she purchased over a decade ago.
‘She’s obviously sad. I mean, she’s had that house forever and Aaron bought it, but bought the property a million years ago and it was a really special house.
‘But at least everybody’s safe. That’s Candy’s beach house. She doesn’t stay there. She has her house in the city,’ the real estate broker told DailyMail.com.
On January 10, Candy’s daughter Tori Spelling announced on social media that she and her five kids had to evacuate after ‘days of watching destruction.’
Josh, for his part, left Los Angeles to work from his property in New York City, where he goes one week a month, and now, is focused on placing victims in homes.
‘Right now I’m trying to move everybody into houses that lost their home, whether it be a lease or it be a sale for some of my more fortunate clients that can afford to buy another house instead of pay rent or choosing to go that option,’ he explained.
He’s doing everything he can to help those affected by the wildfires, including asking favors from his clients, especially those who have second homes.
Josh said, ‘There’s so many houses on the market that are so overpriced and are moving so quickly that there’s no inventory.
At least 24 people have been killed by the Palisades and Eaton fires that destroyed more than 12,000 structures in Southern California
Josh Flagg (pictured with co-stars Tracy Tutor and Josh Altman) told DailyMail.com that he’s focused on getting house for the victims and ‘can’t event think’ about season 16 of Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles’
‘So, I’ve gone through my list of clients and asked a whole bunch of them to do favors, and I’ve been able to place about 15 people so far in the last week.’
Months after the season 15 finale of Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles aired in September, the successful agent revealed he can’t share any details of the forthcoming season just yet.
Last season included his co-stars Josh Altman and Tracy Tutor. As far as returning to the show after being part of it for 20 years, Josh said he’d ‘of course’ love to return himself – ‘as long as the show continues on.’