Movies

Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt Defend GoFundMe Amid Backlash After Losing Home to Fires

BBG News

As a die-hard fan of Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt, I’ve been following the recent news about their response to the criticism they faced over the donations they received after losing their home in the LA fires. Here’s my take on how they might have worded it:

“Hey guys, we wanted to address the buzz around our recent situation. We were overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from our fans and followers who generously donated towards our recovery efforts. We understand that not everyone may agree with our decision to accept these donations, but in a time of need, we felt it was important to accept help from those who wanted to extend a helping hand. Our hearts are filled with gratitude for every single person who contributed and showed us kindness during this difficult time. Thank you all for understanding and supporting us.

Since last Tuesday, the Los Angeles region has been hit by some of the strongest windstorms seen in more than ten years. These storms ignited fires that have razed numerous buildings and taken at least 27 lives. However, the total number of fatalities is still uncertain.

A fire broke out in the upscale Pacific Palisades area, destroying several celebrity residences, among them Heidi and Spencer’s $2.5 million home within that community.

Instead of staying in the disaster zone, they hastily departed with their two boys, Gunner (age 6) and Ryker (age 2), choosing to leave a significant portion of their possessions unattended.

Even though Heidi, aged 38, and Spencer, aged 41, didn’t ask for donations directly, two of their friends on TikTok established a GoFundMe page in their name. This move sparked controversy on social media as some users highlighted that numerous less fortunate individuals had also suffered home loss.

Responding to criticism, Spencer clarified that he and Heidi do not have substantial wealth, emphasizing that no one was compelled to donate funds to them. Moreover, he stated that the contributions were not taxes but voluntary gifts, as reported by Us Weekly.

Initially, the duo, famously recognized as Speidi, gained popularity through their appearances as a reality TV pair on The Hills. This series wrapped up on MTV back in 2010.

In addition to the approximately $134,000 they raised through GoFundMe, they’ve been supplementing their income in other ways. For instance, Spencer is making money by selling his Pratt Daddy Crystals.

Meanwhile, Heidi’s devoted fans are eagerly listening to her 2010 album “Superficial” on various streaming platforms to such an extent that her hit single “I’ll Do It” has climbed to the top of the iTunes charts in the United States.

She received some assistance from fellow celebrities; Paris Hilton, who unfortunately lost her home to the fires as well, and Emily Ratajkowski were among those who amplified her music on social media.

Spencer has maintained a firm position in response to the criticism of the GoFundMe, stating: “We’re quite accustomed to negative reactions, so this is just par for the course. Essentially, if people choose to donate money to whoever they prefer, it’s similar to purchasing a celebrity’s merchandise or movie tickets.

He stated: ‘Individuals have the freedom to use their own funds as they see fit, and fortunately, there are individuals willing to aid and contribute to our cause.’

Spencer pointed out: ‘People aren’t obligated to, and it’s not a tax. They can express whatever opinions they have. However, those who are contacting [us] often request financial assistance or ask for items from an Amazon wishlist.’

He mentioned that it was his TikTok companions who established a GoFundMe campaign independently, which grew significantly and wonderfully. Later, they moved it to our care. We’re incredibly grateful for their initiative and they also arranged an Amazon wishlist.

Heidi expressed her discomfort about requesting funds on a crowdfunding site, but Brandon and Courtney responded by saying something like: “We understand your reservations, but let us clarify – we have connections who wish to contribute to your cause. Even a single donation can make a difference for you.

She explained: “To be clear, we didn’t anticipate anyone donating. Yet, surprisingly, there have been numerous individuals expressing interest in contributing $5.

Spencer emphasized that numerous individuals contributed modest sums such as five dollars, equating it to buying a cup of coffee for someone. Essentially, the collective donations amounted to purchasing a round of coffees for everyone involved. However, he also mentioned that there were some who donated more substantial amounts, and he expressed gratitude towards each and every one of them personally.

Addressing those who criticize him, he remarked: “Until just a few days ago, people didn’t believe we were wealthy celebrities, and it’s becoming quite aggravating. If you search ‘Spencer’ online, you’ll find that it simply states: ‘Lacking wealth, no net worth.’

I went on to say: “Now, our home is in flames, and so is my parents’ abode. Yet, strangely enough, we find ourselves thrust into the limelight as affluent celebrities. It’s maddening because the media has never acknowledged us as celebrities, nor have they ever referred to us as wealthy individuals.

Spencer argued: “There’s no one with a sound mind who considers us wealthy celebrities. These criticisms seem to be coming from people who are just trying to stir up trouble, or troll us. The folks who have been observing our lives on social media and supporting us can see that we are not wealthy celebrities.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve been sharing my everyday experiences on Snapchat for an astounding 11 years now, day in and day out. My followers have grown to understand that we’re not flashy celebrities living extravagant lives, but rather, everyday folks who enjoy the simple pleasures like savoring a good meal from our favorite Mexican eateries or sourcing organic eggs for breakfast. They’ve come to expect transparency from us, and that’s exactly what we deliver – we film it all.

He mentioned that over the past eight years, they’ve invested all their savings into their home and lifestyle with the intention of passing it down to their children. They’ve meticulously maintained every aspect of it, year after year. Their house spans approximately 3,000 square feet, which isn’t a grand estate in the Palisades.

Spencer nostalgically reminisced about the past: ‘From the kitchen appliances to the washing machines, everything was flawless. We invested all our savings there, and we’d buy quality groceries from Erewhon. Our lifestyle was essentially: invest in our home, eat healthy food, and that was it. Every year, we took one trip to visit Heidi’s parents in Colorado.’

He reiterated his stance: ‘Any income we earn from television or social media ventures is merely to cover our expenses. Therefore, when people suggest that Heidi and Spencer are wealthy celebrities asking for money, I can only wish I were in their shoes, enjoying tacos in Cabo.’

Heidi and Spencer faced criticism due to their emotional breakdowns as they talked about losing their home on Good Morning America, which occurred on a Wednesday.

Heidi tearfully recounted on the show, “Spencer said, ‘Take whatever you wish to hold onto.’ To which I replied, ‘But what should I pick?’

Feeling utterly swamped by an abundance of tasks that simply cannot be replicated, I found myself momentarily unable to think straight. In response, I reached for the comforting presence of my children’s teddy bears.

She finds her house a sanctuary from the outside world, and it’s tough to grapple with the idea of its absence on a day-to-day basis.

Meanwhile, Spencer expressed: “Our children’s room is truly enchanting, I’m afraid to say. Every evening we read stories, making it a regular part of our lives. There’s an abundance of love in that space.

He stated: ‘I seem to be a specter. I don’t possess even a solitary photograph prior to the advent of the iPhone. I lack all those trivial trinkets found on your shelves in your parents’ home. All of them are missing, there isn’t even a trace left.’

Read More

2025-01-18 06:34

Previous post Irina Shayk’s Chic Stroll Upstaged by Silver Puffer Wearing Dog: Click Here!
Next post EUR USD PREDICTION