John Legend brought music and hope to a group of incarcerated firefighters who have been courageously battling the raging Los Angeles wildfires.
In a heartfelt moment, the 12-time Grammy winner performed his iconic 2004 hit “Ordinary People” for the CDCR Fire (Camp) Program crew after their gruelling 24-hour shift combating the Eaton Fire.
On Sunday, Legend shared the touching experience with his followers on Instagram through a reel, offering a glimpse into his time with the firefighting crew. Those participating in the CDCR Fire Program are incarcerated individuals with minimum-custody status, generally serving sentences of eight years or less.
They earn up to $10.24 per day for their labour, which involves some of the most dangerous and physically demanding tasks in fire containment efforts. While some firefighters appeared visibly moved by Legend’s soulful performance, others wore expressions of exhaustion after their demanding day on the frontlines.
“Yesterday, I spent time with some of the nearly 1,000 incarcerated firefighters who have been battling LA’s wildfires,” Legend wrote in the post’s caption. “After a 24-hour shift, they described their intense work on the line. They are often the first to arrive and the last to leave, performing the toughest and riskiest tasks to protect our communities.”
He continued, reflecting on the resilience and unity he witnessed: “Something that stuck with me from this group was that no matter where we come from, we all have the capacity to serve, protect, and rebuild, not just for ourselves but for our community.”
Legend’s connection to the devastating wildfires is personal. Earlier this month, he and his wife, Chrissy Teigen, were forced to evacuate their own home due to the spreading flames. Fortunately, as of January 13, the family has been able to return.
Main Image: People Magazine
