Influencer Max Emerson and fiancé Andrés Camilo lost their home in the Los Angeles wildfires — and the tragedy led to them calling it quits on their nearly decade-long relationship.
“After nine years together we’ve decided to separate,” Emerson and Camilo wrote via a joint Instagram statement on Monday, January 13, alongside a series of pics throughout their relationship. “The fire that took our home accelerated this decision by giving us clarity and simplicity. We were already beginning to explore different paths- this tragedy is serving as a catalyst for a clean break.”
The duo explained that they have realized it’s “time to start” their lives again “as individuals,” but noted that they don’t regret the years they spent together.
“Our time together wasn’t wasted,” they continued. “We still love each other fully, deeply, and unconditionally. That love doesn’t end; it evolves. We are part ways with respect and gratitude, carrying forward all that we’ve learned.”
Emerson and Camilo revealed earlier this week that their residence was one of the homes lost during the wildfires, which began raging through Los Angeles on January 7 when high winds caused brush fires to spread quickly through the Pacific Palisades and surrounding neighborhoods.The fires have destroyed more than 12,000 structures, and placed over 150,000 people under mandatory evacuation orders.
At the time, Emerson and Camilo took to Instagram to reveal that nearly their “entire” neighborhood had “burned to the ground,” but clarified that they were safely in Utah for work.
“We’re very grateful to be somewhere that feels safe right now,” Emerson said in the January 10 video. Camilo added, “We’re feeling a great sense of loss for everything in our home, for everything that our neighbors are going through. Everyone that’s been displaced.”
While Emerson said they were both “grieving for our planet right now,” Camilo noted that they are grieving the loss of all their personal items as well, which included things like “art,” “photos” and other “prized possessions.”
“We are filled with gratitude and a deep sense of loss,” Emerson captioned the post, promising to share more in the coming days as “the amount of things to consider is overwhelming at the moment.”
Emerson returned to Instagram on January 11 to share a video of the pair’s home up in flames along with a carousel of photos from happier times. He revealed that he and Camilo “fully restored” the house “with the hop of starting our family” there.
“Words cannot fully convey the devastation we feel for all that was lost in less than twenty four hours,” he captioned the post. “Despite some of our dreams being put on hold, we remain optimistic and excited for the future… and it’s all because of the tsunami of love and support we’re receiving from our family, friends and community. It’s all very overwhelming, so please be patient if we aren’t super communicative in the next couple weeks. Thank you for always showing up for us.”
Emerson concluded the post by giving a shoutout to their neighbor, who “did everything he could to save our home.”
