The deadly Los Angeles wildfires have left countless families displaced and communities reeling, including celebrity hairstylist and Ouai founder Jen Atkin, 44. Atkin shared the heartbreaking news that her home had been destroyed in the Palisades Fire. She and her family, including her husband, Mike Rosenthal, and their dog, safely evacuated as the flames rapidly consumed their neighborhood.
"This is weird to post, but our house is gone," Atkin wrote on her Instagram Stories, accompanied by a tearful photo. "We just got confirmation. Our whole area demolished. So many are displaced and feeling scared right now; it's almost too much to comprehend."
Despite the loss, Atkin expressed gratitude for her community, noting that her neighbors are "taking care of one another and checking in." She emphasized resilience, writing, "We're going to be ok. We always push thru."'
Rosenthal, a director and photographer, also shared his reflections on social media, posting before-and-after photos of their now-destroyed home. "The last 48 hours have been such an intense rollercoaster, alternating between robotic and crushing emotions," he wrote. "Our house is gone. Everything in our house is gone beyond what we packed in the car. I know they are just things, and in many cases replaceable, but those things turned the house into a home."
The family is currently staying in a hotel, and Rosenthal acknowledged their relative privilege amid the tragedy. "We are the lucky ones. We can afford to stay in a hotel. There are thousands of people in shelters right now. I don't even know where to begin," he said, adding, "The devastation is just unimaginable. At this point, it's not just a house or a neighborhood destroyed; it's entire cities. I struggle to fully comprehend the work ahead."
The Palisades Fire erupted on Tuesday, January 7, in the Santa Monica Mountains and has quickly become one of the most destructive wildfires in Los Angeles history. By Wednesday evening, it had consumed more than 25,000 acres, with 0% containment reported. The firestorm has forced over 150,000 residents to flee their homes, destroyed at least 1,500 structures, and claimed five confirmed lives, with countless others injured.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called the fire's spread "unprecedented," noting that strong winds and dry vegetation created the perfect conditions for disaster. Within 12 minutes of its ignition, the fire had grown from 10 acres to 200 acres. Experts from the Wildfire Alliance predict economic losses exceeding $50 billion, underscoring the fire's catastrophic impact.
Jen Atkin is among many celebrities affected by the fire. Others, including Adam Brody and Leighton Meester, Billy Crystal, Anna Faris, Cobie Smulders and Taran Killam, Paris Hilton, and Anthony Hopkins, also lost their homes. In an outpouring of support, Atkin and Rosenthal's followers and colleagues have rallied around them, offering condolences and aid as the couple navigates the long road to recovery.