Stephen King Calls for Oscars Cancellation Due to Los Angeles Wildfires

The author likened holding the ceremony during the devastation to Nero playing the lyre while Rome burned.

Stephen King has urged the cancellation of the 97th Academy Awards, scheduled for March 2, citing the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles.
King compared the situation to the legend of Nero playing music while Rome burned, criticizing the Oscars as inappropriate during such a crisis.
The wildfires, which began over a week ago, have claimed at least 27 lives and destroyed or damaged more than 12,000 buildings in the Los Angeles area.
The announcement of Oscar nominations, originally set for January 17, has already been postponed to January 23 due to the disaster.
Despite the devastation, the Academy has stated that the awards ceremony will proceed as planned.