Mario Lavandeira, widely known as Perez Hilton, was hospitalized on Tuesday after authorities responded to his Miami-Dade, Florida, home and found him livestreaming acts of self-harm on social media, according to the Miami-Dade sheriff's office.
A statement released on Hilton's celebrity gossip website confirmed he is receiving medical attention. "Our family's focus right now is on his well-being," the statement read, also requesting privacy for Hilton and his family during this difficult time.
Rob Shuter, who co-hosted VH1's "The Gossip Table" with Lavandeira in 2015, shared insights into the man behind the public persona. Shuter recalled Lavandeira confessing a need for the job and financial stability, revealing a fragility beneath the provocative blogger's facade. "Perez Hilton, the loudmouth blogger, the provocateur, the self-appointed king of celebrity gossip, was someone far more fragile than the public ever imagined," Shuter stated.
For years, Hilton built a significant online presence by focusing on celebrity scandals and personal lives, often with harsh commentary. His website, PerezHilton.com, became a central hub for celebrity news and gossip in the early 2000s. Shuter noted that Hilton "helped create an era in which humiliation became a business model," detailing how Hilton "mocked people's appearances, sexuality, addictions, mental health struggles, breakups and public breakdowns."
Shuter, who represented Ashlee Simpson as her publicist during Hilton's peak influence, described the damage Hilton inflicted on his clients, stating, "He mocked her relentlessly, amplified every mistake and turned vulnerable moments into public spectacle. Too often, it felt gleefully vicious."
The media landscape has shifted significantly since Hilton's rise to prominence, with social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok becoming dominant forces. Shuter observed that as the culture moved on, Hilton's online influence waned. The changing media environment, coupled with financial challenges, including raising three children as a single parent, appeared to impact Lavandeira.
Despite the criticism he faced, Lavandeira has reportedly made attempts to apologize and express regret for his past actions. However, Shuter acknowledged that "Real damage was done and forgiveness cannot be demanded." Shuter emphasized the importance of compassion, even in difficult circumstances. "Whatever anyone thinks of Perez Hilton, this is no longer celebrity gossip. This is a human being in profound distress," he said.
He added, "If we reserve compassion only for people we admire, then it isn't compassion at all. Grace should be given to people even if they've shown very little of it themselves."
For those in the U.S. experiencing distress, the confidential 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available by calling or texting 988, with online chat services at 988lifeline.org.