Perez Hilton, the celebrity gossip blogger whose real name is Mario Lavandeira, is in serious but stable condition at a Florida hospital after a TikTok livestream last Tuesday in which he appeared to harm himself, his family said in a statement posted Saturday to his website.
The statement, issued by his team and relatives, confirmed he remains hospitalized under Florida's Baker Act, a state law that allows authorities to detain someone involuntarily if they pose a threat to themselves or others. He has experienced significant blood loss and sustained injuries that will require surgery in the coming days, the family said, adding that his treatment and recovery will be a long process.
Police response and platform action
The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office told Global News that deputies responded Tuesday night to reports of someone livestreaming acts of self-harm on social media. Deputies located the residence, spoke with family members on scene, and confirmed the individual was alone inside. The sheriff's office said deputies prioritized de-escalation and crisis intervention techniques, tactically disengaging while continuing to monitor the situation and support the family.
In a follow-up statement, the sheriff's office said the individual had been safely recovered and transported by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue to a local hospital. The office's Crisis Response Unit and licensed mental health professionals were on scene providing support and resources to the family.
A U.S. spokesperson for TikTok told Global News the livestream was flagged and routed to the content moderation team within minutes. The platform banned Hilton's account because the content violated community guidelines and alerted law enforcement to help get him support. The footage was subsequently pulled from the platform.
Family requests privacy
The family's statement pushed back against what it described as false and inaccurate media reports. It emphasized that Hilton has not communicated with the media or issued any public statements, and that only statements published directly to PerezHilton.com should be considered credible.
The family also asked media and the public to leave their home and surrounding area, stop following family members, and cease photographing Hilton's children, who they said remain safe and are being cared for by immediate family.
Hilton, who rose to prominence in the mid-2000s with his eponymous celebrity gossip blog, recently published a memoir titled TMI: My Life In Scandal. The incident has drawn renewed attention to the pressures of internet fame and the role of social media platforms in crisis intervention.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available. In an emergency, call 911. For immediate mental health support, call or text 988. A directory of support services is available through the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention.
Based on reporting by Global News.