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Spencer Pratt Amanda Edwards/Getty Images
Spencer Pratt is reflecting on his and Heidi Montag’s efforts to generate income after losing their home in the Los Angeles wildfires.
“I made, like, $4,000 on TikTok this week, but on TikTok Live, where people can just give to me direct, I think maybe $20,000. So that’s phenomenal, and life-changing. That’s the power of individual supporters, people just backing you and getting behind you,” Pratt, 41, told Variety in an interview published on Friday, January 17. “And that’s the most powerful when you don’t have to rely on ads or AI and algorithms when just actual human beings just want to give. It’s unbelievable and incredible.”
When their home burned down earlier this month after the couple was forced to evacuate, Pratt began encouraging his followers on social media to stream Montag’s music. By January 12, Montag’s 2010 album Superficial was No. 1 on the iTunes U.S. album chart and the titular song ranked ahead of Rosé and Bruno Mars’ “APT.” on the iTunes U.S. singles chart.
Despite their success, Pratt said had “no idea” how much money he and Montag, 38, made from the music.
“I don’t know if it comes in checks or when, but everybody keeps telling me, ‘Don’t expect any money.’ I’m more excited about the energy and opportunities that come from it. I don’t think these streams and all these charts [make money],” Pratt said. “Based on what people are telling me, the music business is about touring, it’s about merchandise, it’s about all the things that come with it; that’s how the artists make money unless you’re doing billions of streams, which I’m still energetically [pushing]. It’s not happening yet! I’m being optimistic because truly, it’s the only way to get through all this.”
After Pratt, Montag and their sons Gunner, 6, and Ryker, 2, left the area, a pair of TikTok followers created a GoFundMe campaign on the family’s behalf. The followers have since transferred the campaign to Pratt and Montag, who stressed that they did not want to ask for contributions. Per the GoFundMe, the family has raised over $138,000 so far.
While many fans are supportive, some have criticized the couple for the campaign. Pratt and Montag, however, are not fazed by the “backlash.”
While many celebrities have gotten criticism for asking for donations after wildfire destruction, Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag are telling Us why they aren’t bothered by the “backlash.” “We’re very used to negative things, so it’s pretty standard,” Pratt, 41, exclusively told Us Weekly on Wednesday, January 15. “If people want to send their own […]
“We’re very used to negative things, so it’s pretty standard,” Pratt exclusively told Us Weekly on Wednesday, January 15. “If people want to send their own money to whoever they want, it’s the equivalent to buying a celebrity’s merch, buying their movie tickets. People can do whatever they want with their own money and, thank God, there’s people who want to support and send us whatever.”
He continued, “Nobody’s required to, and it’s not a tax. People can say whatever they want and they’re entitled to their opinion. But, all the people that are messaging, they’re asking to send money, they’re asking to do the Amazon wishlist. … These are their choices.”
Check the LAFD website for local wildfire alerts and click here for resources on how to help those affected.
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