Justine Bateman denounces ‘disaster tourists’ Harry and Meghan

“Family Ties” star Justine Bateman is not buying the story that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle traveled from Montecito to Pasadena on Friday solely to help victims of the devastating Eaton fire.

Bateman accused the self-exiled royal couple of using their “surprise visit” to Pasadena for publicity purposes and a “photo shoot.” The Los Angeles-based actor and filmmaker, who played Mallory Keaton alongside Michael J. Fox in the hit 1980s sitcom, also called the couple “ambulance chasers” on Eaton Fire Response. Since last Tuesday, the fire has killed at least 16 people, destroyed thousands of homes and was only 27% contained as of Sunday evening.

“As the world follows story after story, Meghan Markle and Harry are no better than ambulance chasers,” Bateman wrote on Are they politicians now? They don’t live here; they’re disaster tourists.

Although the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have not publicly responded to Bateman’s post, a representative for the couple told Page Six that they found his comments “offensive” and that “anyone would think he was “It’s just a photo opportunity.” The source also said Meghan, born and raised in Los Angeles, felt “completely” heartbroken “for all the lives that have been lost and for those whose homes were destroyed in these fires.”

Bateman’s message came the day before Meghan announced she was delaying the release of her new lifestyle show, “With Love, Meghan,” which was supposed to debut Tuesday on Netflix and show her in her lavish garden. Montecito or demonstrate your culinary skills in a well-appointed kitchen.

In a statement released to People, Meghan said the series premiere would be delayed until March, “while we focus on the needs of those affected by the wildfires in my home state of California.” The Daily Beast’s Europe editor Tom Sykes wrote that Meghan, “often criticized for being out of touch,” probably realized it wouldn’t be the right time “to release a ton of aspirational footage of her baking cookies and cakes with her famous friends. .”

In his message, Bateman appears to emphasize the fact that they have no official government status. Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo took the time to escort them around his city and show them the affected neighborhoods, according to the Orange County Register. He expressed gratitude to Fox 11 for their visit and praised them for being “as helpful as possible.”

But as Bateman suggested, his tour is the kind of service often given to local or national leaders, or members of the British royal family. As Sykes of the Daily Beast also reported, these figures typically avoid going to the scene of a disaster because first responders are still dealing with the crisis because they don’t want to distract vital personnel.

As for Bateman accusing Harry and Meghan of not living in Los Angeles, even some critics of the couple cited Meghan’s local ties and her stated need to help her hometown.

But Bateman alluded to ongoing criticism that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex want to be seen as influential do-gooders, as media coverage of celebrities online over the past week has largely moved away from anything that has nothing to do with the Los Angeles fires. Headlines focused on the many A-list stars who had to evacuate or mourn the loss of their homes and lifelong memories.

Harry and Meghan, whose home is about 90 miles north of the wildfires, have consistently kept their names in the news, mostly through reports about their response to the fires, some prompted by statements from their representatives. It also happens that Meghan made a notable return to Instagram on New Year’s Day, launching a PR campaign to promote “With Love, Meghan.”

In a statement posted on their official website Sussex.com, they said their foundation was working with chef José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen, a longtime partner, to serve meals to first responders and victims of the fire. And like many other celebrities, they also shared a list of resources for victims and places where people can donate. Then came a follow-up article reported by People, in which their representatives appeared to confirm that they had opened their $29 million home to “friends and loved ones” forced to evacuate.

On Friday and Saturday, several media outlets reported on their visit to the Pasadena Convention Center and other locations. At the start of their visit, the Sussexes, dressed “incognito,” were joined by Gordo and Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the wife of California Governor Gavin Newsom, as they thanked Los Angeles County first responders, donated supplies and connected with affected families and seniors. people, People and the Orange County Register reported.

The Orange County Register also described how the couple “caravanned” to the burned areas, where entire neighborhoods had been decimated, and then to the Rose Bowl, where first responders had set up their emergency response center. ’emergency.

In footage released by FOX 11, the two men were also seen conversing with Gordo and with José Andrés. “It’s great people, great personalities and a big heart to come here and meet the first responders, meet the people affected,” Gordo told the news station. “It’s very important.”

Gordo insisted that Harry and Meghan “didn’t come here to do publicity.” They came here to work. He said they initially served food “anonymously,” while wearing masks. But of course, their notoriety meant they couldn’t remain anonymous for long.

Harry and Meghan’s visit sparked much debate online, with Bateman becoming one of their most prominent critics. Bateman has also been on Fox News, fiercely criticizing Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass for their wildfire preparedness and disaster response.

In response to Bateman’s post, another Sussex critic cited reports that authorities limited people’s access to their properties in Pasadena for security reasons. “Sick people can’t see their houses, but these two clowns and photographers were allowed through,” the critic said.

But the couple has had many defenders on different platforms. One person, commenting on the People article, said that “showing support in a crisis is not at all out of place for members of our British royal family and would in fact be expected.” The person also said, “If the problem is simply ‘more celebrities are coming forward and being talked about’ – well, we’ve reached a sad point if famous people feel the need to hide their desire to help out of fear of what it might be. affect their public relations.

When someone responded that there are a lot of celebrities “who help with disaster but don’t have their pictures taken or ask for publicity,” another person said, “Not many couples have the kind of notoriety and crazy media interest than the Sussexes. They don’t let that stop them from doing good.

Another person said: “They donated money… opened their homes to friends who lost theirs and are now volunteering on the ground. I hate how people try to turn everything about themselves into a negative.

Originally published: January 13, 2025 at 10:19 a.m. PST