Perez Hilton, the 48-year-old celebrity blogger, was taken to a Miami hospital on Tuesday after authorities received multiple calls from concerned fans watching a TikTok livestream. Clips from the video appeared to show Hilton with blood on him and holding a knife.
The incident follows a year in which Hilton, whose real name is Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr., had spoken about working on himself and addressing his past controversies. He had vowed to turn around his complicated legacy after reflecting on troubled periods and a spiritual experience.
Health Setbacks and Reflections
In March, Hilton experienced a near-fatal battle with sepsis. He attributed this to taking flu medication on an empty stomach, which he said led to a cascade of health issues. During this hospitalization, Hilton stated he had a profound experience of divine intervention and felt inspired to reflect on his "very public mistakes" that had caused him "great shame."
This near-death experience, he explained, helped him forgive himself for past actions. Hilton, who is father to three children via surrogacy, had expressed a desire to lead a "smaller, quieter, happier life."
A Controversial Career
Hilton rose to prominence in the early 2000s with his gossip blog, which became a significant source of celebrity news. However, his pursuit of sensational stories often led to criticism for being hurtful. Mila Kunis once described him as having "literally just spread filth," contributing to a culture of online meanness.
Hilton also faced backlash for his practice of outing celebrities he claimed were gay. He stated that he believed visibility was crucial for change and that he would "drag some people screaming out of the closet" if necessary, citing figures like Ellen DeGeneres and Rosie O'Donnell as examples of successful openly gay public figures. However, he later expressed regret for outing individuals, writing in his 2020 memoir that he no longer believed it was acceptable behavior.
Current Status and Representation
At the time of the livestream, Hilton was alone in his home, according to deputies. The video has since been removed from TikTok, and his account has been suspended. Hilton's current condition remains unclear.
His representatives, Golden Artists Entertainment Co-CEOs Dante Rusciolelli and Rebekah Kochan, issued a statement acknowledging the concerning content and stating they had been unable to make direct contact with him. They emphasized that their primary concern is Hilton's health and well-being and requested privacy.
Fans and friends have shared messages of support on social media, expressing hopes for his recovery and continuation on his stated path of personal change.
If you or someone you know needs help in the US, you can call or text the confidential 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. Online chat is also available at 988lifeline.org. In the UK, you can call Samaritans for free at 116 123.