Perez Hilton, the celebrity gossip blogger, has been hospitalized in serious but stable condition following an incident of self-harm during a TikTok livestream. His family confirmed the situation, stating that his treatment and recovery will be an extensive process.
Emergency services were called to his Miami home on Tuesday after viewers expressed concern during a TikTok livestream. The Miami sheriff's office confirmed they responded to a scene involving a man livestreaming acts of self-harm. The individual was alone in the residence at the time.
According to a statement released on Hilton's website, he experienced significant blood loss. He is reportedly being held in hospital under Florida's Baker Act, a law intended to provide services for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. The father of three, whose birth name is Mario Lavandeira, is expected to undergo surgery in the coming days.
A spokesperson for TikTok stated that the platform's automated moderation systems identified the livestream for review within minutes. However, a moderator error reportedly caused a delay in its removal. TikTok subsequently alerted law enforcement, took down subsequent streams within 90 seconds, and banned the account.
Hilton, whose pseudonym is a nod to Paris Hilton, launched his celebrity gossip blog in 2005. The site became a prominent fixture in early internet culture, drawing millions of daily hits at its peak. The blog was known for its often harsh commentary on celebrities, including Miley Cyrus and Lady Gaga. In later years, Hilton has expressed regret for past instances of being "mean or cruel."
He has also participated in various reality television programs, such as Celebrity Rap Superstar and Celebrity Big Brother.