Stars Gather to Celebrate the Reopening of Palisades Village After L.A. Wildfires
Almost 19 months after the tragic Palisades Fire forever altered the Los Angeles community, locals came together to commemorate a significant milestone in the ongoing rebuilding process.
“The Palisades has been my home for nearly my entire life. I was brought home to [the Palisades] in 1979, and later, while expecting my son Ryder, I was fortunate enough to buy back the house where I was raised and decided to raise my children in the Palisades,” Kate Hudson revealed during the grand reopening of Caruso’s Palisades Village on Saturday, August 15, with Us in attendance. “This community holds immense significance for me, and this evening is profoundly personal.”
Before introducing her longtime friend and OneRepublic member Ryan Tedder for a special performance, Hudson, 47, delivered an inspiring message to her neighbors.
“We’ve endured so much. Losing countless places and landmarks that carried our memories is heartbreaking, and I believe we all still carry that weight tonight,” she expressed. “But we must celebrate this moment. We must celebrate our rebuilding journey.”
In January 2025, the Palisades Fire ravaged over 23,000 acres across L.A. and its neighboring areas. According to CalFire, more than 6,500 structures were lost, 975 were damaged, and at least 27 lives were claimed.
Billy Crystal was among the residents who lost a home. Although he couldn’t join in person over the weekend, the Oscar-winning actor, a member of the community since 1979, shared a heartfelt, pre-recorded message with his wife, Janice Crystal.
“Look around, and you can see something wonderful happening,” he stated. “You can feel it. We’re on our path to recovery, and for those of us who unfortunately lost everything in the fires, there’s one thing we will never lose,” he added.
Janice responded, “Our love for the Palisades.”
The Palisades Village, which remained unharmed during the fires, has been a hub for some of the city’s finest shopping, dining, and entertainment experiences.
On Saturday, both new and returning businesses — including Jennifer Meyer, Paige, Alphabet Bar & Grill, and others — opened up for eager shoppers and diners, ready to support the community with their purchases.
“I have been waiting 19 months to say, ‘Welcome to Palisades Village!’” wrote developer and Pacific Palisades fire survivor Rick Caruso on Instagram after the grand reopening. “Just two days after the Palisades fires, the Caruso team came together, gathered our strength, and started to rebuild Palisades Village. 19 months later, bolstered by the love, resilience, and strength of this community, we are proud to take a significant step in the Palisades’ revival.❤️”
As the stores closed for the evening, the Caruso team organized a celebratory concert for the community, featuring performances by the Hollywood Film Orchestra, David Foster, Katharine McPhee, American Idol alum Pia Toscano, local high school members, and more.
Actor Anthony Hopkins also made a special appearance to welcome back residents of the Palisades.
“August 15th represents a significant milestone in our journey to recover in the Palisades,” Caruso, 67, stated via Instagram. “We didn’t come this far just to stop here ❤️.”
