Perez Hilton, born Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr., was hospitalized Tuesday evening after a TikTok livestream showed him apparently harming himself. The 48-year-old blogger's first words upon regaining consciousness in the hospital were to his mother, expressing "I need help," according to a longtime family friend.
The incident unfolded at Hilton's Miami home, where deputies from the Miami Dade Sheriff's Department responded to multiple calls from viewers reporting the distressing livestream. According to 911 dispatch audio, officers were responding to an apparent suicide attempt and were at the residence for several hours before Hilton was transported to a hospital.
Hilton's family stated that his children, niece, and sister were in the home shortly before the livestream began. "When it became clear that Perez was experiencing a severe mental health crisis and harming himself, they immediately fled to protect the children from witnessing any further trauma," the family said in a statement. The priority, they added, is helping the children heal and begin to rebuild a sense of security.
Friends have expressed confusion regarding the trigger for the crisis, noting that Hilton had been acting normally and discussing future projects earlier that day. "There was nothing specific that happened that anyone knows of. He hasn't been particularly depressed," a source said. They speculated that the stress of a recent move from Las Vegas to Miami may have contributed, as Hilton has reportedly felt overwhelmed in the past.
Hilton moved to Miami earlier this summer, seeking to focus on his family after a serious health scare in March. He was hospitalized for sepsis and underwent two surgeries, an experience he later described as making him a born-again Christian. The medical issues also led to financial pressures, prompting him to launch a line of religious-themed clothing.
Some close to Hilton suggested he was reluctant to leave Las Vegas and moved primarily for his family. "Those close to him started to get the feeling that he didn't want to go to Miami and only did it for his family," a friend noted. He had reportedly confided that he found the Florida move difficult and missed Las Vegas, feeling stressed and overwhelmed.
Sources also indicated Hilton may have been struggling with the perception of his career, observing younger personalities on TikTok engaging in similar content that he pioneered. Reports suggested he was low on funds and facing challenges in finding work, with some reality show pitches not progressing beyond initial stages. While he had reportedly signed a deal for a show about cyberbullying, payment and the specifics of his role were still being worked out.
Hilton's mother has been devastated by the events, with the family friend describing her as frantic and crying. She is reportedly caring for Hilton's three children—son Mario, 13, and daughters Mia, 11, and Mayte, eight—and has made arrangements naming her as guardian should anything happen to her son.