Warning: This article contains discussion of self-harm which some readers may find distressing.
Perez Hilton’s family has shared a new update after the celebrity blogger was hospitalized this week, revealing the severity of his injuries and saying he is “able to communicate”.
The 48-year-old, whose real name is Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr, was taken to hospital on Tuesday after emergency services were called to his home in Miami.
According to the Evening Standard, authorities were contacted by members of the public who reported seeing Hilton harm himself during a livestream on TikTok.
His account was suspended from the platform not long afterward. TikTok’s automated moderation systems flagged the livestream within minutes, though a moderator error caused a delay in its removal. The livestream lasted approximately 15 minutes before being taken down, and the platform subsequently banned Hilton’s account entirely.
In a statement released Saturday, the family disclosed the full extent of Hilton’s injuries. “Perez’s condition remains serious but stable,” the family said. “He experienced significant blood loss and sustained additional injuries that will require surgery in the coming days. His treatment and recovery will be a long process.”
The family also revealed that just minutes before the livestream incident, Perez’s children, niece, and sister were inside the home. “When it became clear that Perez was experiencing a severe mental health crisis and harming himself, they immediately fled to protect the children from witnessing any further trauma.”
In an earlier statement, a spokesperson for his family said the last several days have been ‘incredibly difficult’ and asked for patience while more confirmed information becomes available.
In their statement, relatives thanked people for their support and said they had received some reassurance about his condition, even though many details are still unclear.
The statement said:
“We have also been able to confirm that Perez is able to communicate, which has given our family hope.
“We respectfully ask for your continued prayers, understanding, and grace as Perez continues to recover. We will share additional updates as we receive confirmed information and are able to do so.
“For now, we’re taking things one step at a time and keeping our focus where it belongs, on Perez and his recovery.
“Your compassionate humanity during this heartbreaking time has meant more than words can express.”
The family also clarified that the only credible updates about Hilton’s condition are those published directly on his website, PerezHilton.com. They reported being grateful that Perez was able to spend time with his mother and sister on Friday.
The family added that the situation has been especially difficult because so little official information has reached them directly, but stressed that they ‘remain hopeful’ as they wait for further news. They are taking things one step at a time with focus on Perez and his recovery.
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office also commented on the incident, confirming deputies attended a scene involving a man ‘livestreaming acts of self-harm’, though the agency did not identify Hilton by name.
Officials said that in incidents involving someone in crisis, deputies generally focus on ‘de-escalation by creating time, distance, and opportunities for communication” in an effort to manage the situation safely.
They said that approach is intended to lower the risk for everyone involved, including the person at the center of the emergency.
Deputies also confirmed the man was alone inside the home when first responders arrived.
Hilton is currently hospitalized under Florida’s Baker Act, which allows for the temporary and involuntary detention of someone experiencing a severe mental health crisis. His communication has been extremely limited and confined to immediate family, medical providers, and others directly involved in his care.
Hilton rose to prominence in the 2000s as one of the internet’s most recognizable celebrity gossip bloggers, building his brand around a name inspired by Paris Hilton, who was then one of the world’s biggest stars.
His family did not provide any timeline for recovery or indicate when another update might come, saying only that further confirmed information would be shared ‘as we receive’ it and asking members of the media, paparazzi, content creators, and the public to respect the family’s privacy and leave the area surrounding their home.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in a mental health crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.
If you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Helpline is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.