Perez Hilton, the 48-year-old celebrity gossip blogger, remains hospitalized in a distressing mental state following a self-harm livestream incident in August. According to friends speaking to the Daily Mail, Hilton, whose real name is Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr., is disoriented and believes it is 2016, nearly a decade behind the current year. He has also been asking friends to bring singer Katy Perry to his bedside, reportedly claiming they are close friends and that he was instrumental in her rise to fame.
Sources close to Hilton indicate that his memory of the livestream itself was already fragmented. A family friend of over 20 years told the Daily Mail that even brief phone conversations reveal Hilton is "still not well at all." He is described as prone to "rambling" and drifting off mid-conversation, with moments of clarity interspersed with confusion about his present situation. He has reportedly expressed conflicting thoughts about returning to work.
On August 4, Hilton broadcast a live video on TikTok where he appeared naked and covered in blood, harming himself with a knife. The footage, which lasted about 15 minutes before being removed, led to police intervention. He was subsequently hospitalized under Florida's Baker Act, which permits the temporary involuntary detention of individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. During his hospitalization, Hilton has had no access to his mobile phone or the internet, with all external communications conducted via the hospital's landline.
Even while hospitalized, Hilton has reportedly shown fixation on the future of his celebrity news website. He has inquired about the site's performance and public perception, though his family has assured him that matters are under control. Before this incident, Hilton was reportedly seeking work beyond his blog, with reality television pitches allegedly not progressing.
While his website traffic saw a temporary surge after the livestream, this interest has reportedly subsided. His small team continues to post content, but it is uncertain if readership will return significantly or if Hilton will be able to resume his role.
Hilton sustained numerous cuts requiring stitches and has limited mobility due to broken bones from falling during the incident. His three children were present at the home when the livestream occurred but have not visited him in the hospital due to the distressful nature of his injuries. His mother has been granted temporary custody of the children, and Hilton must receive psychiatric clearance for any supervised visits.
Sources have indicated that Hilton has not received messages of support from celebrities he had previously been in contact with. In moments of lucidity, Hilton is said to feel isolated and is reportedly being hard on himself, expressing regret over past actions and his current circumstances. Friends suggest that his recovery will be long, and that focusing on his health and potentially co-parenting with his family could provide him with a path forward.