Draya Michele Receives Backlash for Promoting Sereniby Air Purifier amid L.A. Fires: 'Tone Deaf'

Mar. 15, 2025

Draya Michele.Photo:Draya Michele/Instagram

Draya Michele/Instagram

Draya Micheleis facing criticism for promoting air purifiers amid theongoing wildfires in Los Angeles.

Draya Michele setting up an air purifier.Draya Michele/Instagram

“There’s no price on peace of mind but having it is more valuable than most worldly things,” Michele added.

“She and her team contacted us because she genuinely uses the product and believed it could help others dealing with the severe air quality in Los Angeles,” the statement said. “Together, we explored ways to make our purifier as affordable as possible during this difficult time. We’re a small, family-run startup that only launched a few months ago, and we’re incredibly grateful for her genuine support.”

A representative for Michele did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

According toBossip, one person commented directly on Michele’s post, “Draya using the L.A. fires to promote an air purifier on her Instagram. Like she never does anything right. Tone deaf.”

Another user reportedly wrote, “At the least she could be giving them away. But selling a product at a time like this is sure proof of creamed corn for brains.”

Draya Michele in November 2023.Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty

Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty

A fourth personexplainedwhy the post felt insensitive, writing, “Soooo ain’t nothing wrong with Draya promoting an air purifier that [is] at least 400, while ppl homes are on fire?? [The] purifier isn’t the problem, it’s the price that is.”

However, some people came to Michele’s defense, with one commenterclaimingthat people “just hate that girl and everything she does for some odd reason.”

Anotherwrote, “I must be tone deaf too because I don’t see the problem with Draya promoting an air purifier! It seems like the perfect time for an air purifier to be promoted.”

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The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautioned L.A. residents of the poor air quality in a Jan. 11smoke advisorythat read, “Potential direct smoke impact from the Palisades, Eaton, and Hurst Wildfires burning has caused unhealthy air quality in Los Angeles County.”

The department added that wildfire smoke is made of “small particles, gases and water vapor” and can cause “burning eyes, runny nose, scratchy throat, headaches and illness.”

“Predicting where ash or soot from a fire will travel, or how winds will impact air quality, is difficult, so it’s important for everyone to stay aware of the air quality in your area, make plans, and take action to protect your health and your family’s health,” said L.A. Health Officer Muntu Davis, MD. “Smoke and ash can harm everyone, even those who are healthy. However, people at higher risk include children, older adults, pregnant individuals, and those with heart or lung conditions or weakened immune systems.”

The wildfires, which started on Jan. 7, have so fardisplaced more than 80,000 peopleand caused 16 reported fatalities.

source: people.com