Perez Hilton, the celebrity blogger, is now "able to communicate," his family announced on Wednesday, a day after he was hospitalized following a disturbing TikTok livestream that showed him self-harming. The family expressed gratitude for the widespread support and said they remain hopeful about his condition.
Family Statement and Current Condition
In a message posted to Hilton's blog on Wednesday evening, his family thanked supporters for their prayers and kind messages. "Your compassionate humanity during this profoundly heartbreaking time has meant more than words can express," the statement read. They acknowledged the ordeal has been "incredibly difficult and emotional" but added they "remain hopeful" about Hilton's recovery.
Earlier, Hilton's team and family confirmed he is "receiving medical care" and that the family's focus is on his well-being. The confirmation came after Hilton was taken to a hospital late Tuesday night.
Incident Details and Emergency Response
The hospitalization followed a TikTok live stream in which Hilton appeared covered in blood and was seen self-harming, prompting viewers to contact authorities. The Miami-Dade County Sheriff's Office confirmed to multiple outlets that deputies responded to reports of a man "livestreaming acts of self-harm on social media." Emergency responders were seen outside Hilton's Miami home, and his TikTok account was suspended shortly after.
The sheriff's office told CNN that authorities "spoke with family members on scene, and confirmed he was alone inside" before de-escalating the situation. While TikTok removed the live stream, screen recordings circulated widely on X and Instagram, leading some users to urge others to disable autoplay and mute mentions of Hilton. The incident also drew criticism of TikTok for allowing the graphic content to air.
Background: From Blogger to 'Original Influencer'
Born Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr., Hilton adopted his pseudonym as a play on Paris Hilton's name. He launched his celebrity gossip blog in 2004, becoming one of the most recognizable figures during the early internet era of blogs and online tabloids. He has long called himself the "original influencer."
As news of Hilton's condition spreads, many fans and fellow celebrities have sent messages of support. The family's statement underscores the seriousness of the situation while offering a glimmer of hope for his recovery.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available. In the US, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be reached at 116 123. In Australia, Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org.
