Stevie Nicks defended himself after a “selfish” post about the Maui wildfire
Stevie Nicks says: “Oh well” to their haters.
The Fleetwood Mac singer is being defended by several die-hard fans after he was criticized on Sunday for a “privileged” Instagram post about Maui’s ongoing wildfires.
The post asked Nicks for comment.
The “Leather and Lace” singer penned the post shortly after it was revealed the fire had killed 96 people.
“As I’m sure you’ve heard — the island of Maui, where I own a house I’ve lived in since the ’80s — and the little village, the town, the most magical place on earth, Lahaina, are up for the past few years, except for the foundations burned down a few days,” read the post.
“And to make matters worse, my young niece, her husband and young son had just arrived for a much needed vacation before starting her school year (en route to becoming a psychologist) for 10 days,” the singer continued Post Office. “They had a fun day and a half and then the fire broke out.”
The post revealed there was a power outage at the home around 5am that lasted until midday and 75-year-old Nicks had no way of contacting her niece Jessi.
“You could never have guessed that this amazing city that had survived so much for so long would burn down and disappear into the history books leaving behind so much sadness, destruction and death,” lamented the singer. “This island defines Fleetwood Mac and I and our families in so many ways.”
“My truth was that I wanted a house here just so I could spend time in Lahaina and walk the streets; “Visiting the art galleries – sitting on the rock face – most of the opals I wear on my fingers came from a shop on Front Street,” the singer recalled. “I hope the nice lady who owned this shop was able to grab all her opals and escape. I hope she made it.”
Since the release, several people have called the singer’s response to the situation numb.
“I really like you Stevie, but this seems so self-centered,” criticized one user. “As a person of money and influence, you could direct people to resources to help native Hawaiians, but instead you’ve focused on your family’s vacations, which is a great privilege.”
“Oh Stevie, I love you, but Native Hawaiians have lost their homes for generations to come,” said a second person. “Your niece’s vacation was ruined at best, you shouldn’t have posted that.”
Other fans defended the singer, claiming she was using her platform to mourn the burned city.
“You all comment like she’s not a 75 year old idiot who doesn’t even know you can donate over the internet… show her some mercy,” defended one fan.
“Just because she’s famous doesn’t mean she can’t mourn for her home; It’s not selfish,” criticized a second user. “Sounds like she was even worried about her niece, which is a normal reaction. Celebrities don’t owe people anything.”
The wildfires – believed to be the deadliest in more than 100 years – have wreaked havoc on the tiny island, driving hundreds of residents from their homes.
On Wednesday the The Hawaii Tourism Authority pleaded with tourists leaving the island.
“Visitors on non-essential travel are asked to leave Maui, and non-essential travel to Maui is strongly discouraged at this time,” the agency wrote in a statement. “In the coming days and weeks, our combined resources and attention must be focused on the recovery of residents and communities who have been forced to evacuate their homes and businesses.”
Several celebrities, including Game of Thrones and Honolulu native Jason Momoa, have asked potential tourists to stay away.
“Maui is not the place to vacation right now,” he wrote on Instagram. “DO NOT TRAVEL TO MAUI,” the Aquaman star posted on Instagram.
“Don’t convince yourself that your presence on an island that is suffering so badly is necessary,” he continued, calling for it Donate and travelers to cancel their planned trips.
Media mogul Oprah Winfrey – who owns several properties on the island – was spotted handing out supplies and speaking to residents at Wailuku’s War Memorial Stadium, which has been converted into a housing facility for those displaced by the blaze.
