Perez Hilton taken to hospital after livestreaming acts of self-harm, officials say
Celebrity gossip journalist Perez Hilton was taken to a hospital in Miami on Tuesday night after livestreaming “acts of self-harm” on social media, police said.
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said it received multiple calls about the incident and responded to the scene. Deputies spoke to family members and learned Hilton was alone inside the home.
In the TikTok livestream, which has since been taken down, Hilton appears to be bloodied and in a distressed mental state.
Hilton, whose real name is Mario Lavandeira, was taken to a local hospital for medical attention, law enforcement said.
“The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Crisis Response Unit and Licensed Mental Health Professionals are also on scene providing support and resources to the individual’s family,” the sheriff’s office said.
An update was posted to his website on Wednesday afternoon, saying, “If and when we are able to share any updates, we will do so with everyone as soon as we can.”
“We can confirm that Perez is receiving medical care, and our family’s focus right now is on his well-being,” the statement said. “We kindly ask that you respect Perez’s privacy, as well as the privacy of his family, during this difficult time.”
Hilton, 48, grew to prominence in the 2000s when he started a controversial celebrity blog. The journalist has courted many controversies over the years for his unfiltered take on celebrity life, not hesitating to criticize those celebrities who he disliked.
TikTok said the video was flagged by its automated moderation system and sent to its team for review, but an error by a moderator caused a delay in its removal. The steam remained up for about 15 minutes, according to TikTok.
The company said it alerted law enforcement immediately and banned the account.
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or a suicidal crisis, you can reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. You can also chat with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline here.
For more information about mental health care resources and support, The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) HelpLine can be reached Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.–10 p.m. ET, at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or email info@nami.org.
