Gossip blogger Perez Hilton's first reported words from his hospital bed following an apparent self-harm livestream were "I need help," according to a source close to his family speaking to the Daily Mail. The 48-year-old, born Mario Lavandeira Jr., was taken to a Miami hospital late Tuesday after a livestream on TikTok, which was reportedly called a "suicide attempt" in a 911 dispatch.
An insider described Hilton as "really suffering" and "a man in a lot of pain," noting that while he is "stable and alert" and "able to articulate himself" to his mother, Teresita Lavandeira, he is "still in a dark place." His mother was reportedly the one who met law enforcement at his home and informed them of the mental health crisis.
Family Update and Children's Protection
In an update released Thursday, Hilton's sister, Barbara Lavandeira, stated that when it became clear Perez was experiencing a "severe mental health crisis and harming himself," Barbara, Hilton's niece, and Hilton's three children "immediately fled to protect" the children "from witnessing any further trauma." The family's priority is to help the children "begin to heal" and "safely return home and begin rebuilding a sense of security and normalcy."
Circumstances Leading to Incident
The Daily Mail's insider indicated that the incident was unexpected, stating there was "nothing specific that happened that anyone knows of" and that Hilton "hasn’t been particularly depressed." The source claimed he was "actually looking forward to new opportunities and new projects" and that website traffic had been increasing. The friend suggested the stress from a recent move from Las Vegas to his Miami home, along with two hospitalizations earlier this year and subsequent medical bills, may have contributed to the crisis, noting that Hilton "can get very overwhelmed sometimes."
A Las Vegas acquaintance mentioned that Hilton had expressed missing Vegas and hoped to return, confessing he felt "overwhelmed." This acquaintance also found Hilton's turn to religion after his hospitalizations "a little strange" but attributed it to a man who had "almost lost his life."
Career and Personal Life
An industry insider reportedly suggested Hilton may be struggling to process his career's current standing compared to his earlier fame in the 2000s. "Seeing everyone on TikTok do what he did years ago isn’t easy," the insider claimed. Hilton had reportedly left Las Vegas to prioritize his role as a father, as "Being a good dad is part of his identity."
Hilton's mother, Teresita, is reportedly devastated and taking care of his children, having informed the Department of Children and Families that she is willing to care for them for as long as necessary.
TikTok removed the livestream within 15 to 20 minutes, citing a "moderator error."
If you or someone you know is affected by issues related to mental health, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 800-273-TALK (8255) or by texting the Crisis Text Line at 741741.