Celebrity blogger Perez Hilton has been rushed to hospital after his TikTok followers reported a concerning livestream.
Worried viewers reportedly saw Hilton, 48, self-harm in a video streamed on the social media app on Tuesday (2 August), following which emergency services swiftly arrived at his house in Miami.
He was “safely recovered” and transported by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue to a local hospital, where he is receiving medical attention.
Hilton’s team shared a statement Wednesday on the blogger’s website, saying: “Many of you have reached out with concern for Perez, and we are incredibly grateful for the overwhelming outpouring of love, support, and prayers.
“We can confirm that Perez is receiving medical care, and our family’s focus right now is on his well-being,” the statement continued.
“We kindly ask that you respect Perez’s privacy, as well as the privacy of his family, during this difficult time. If and when we are able to share any updates, we will do so with everyone as soon as we can.
“Thank you for your compassion, understanding, and continued support,” the statement concluded, signed by “The Perez Hilton Team and Family.”
Without naming Hilton, the Miami-Dade sheriff’s office released a statement saying they received reports of a man “livestreaming acts of self-harm on social media,” and confirmed he was at home alone.
Addressing their handling of the situation, they said they had “tactically disengaged”, adding: “In many incidents involving a person experiencing a mental health crisis or actively harming themselves, deputies prioritise de-escalation by creating time, distance, and opportunities for communication.
“Unless there is an immediate threat to others, slowing the situation and utilising crisis intervention techniques can reduce the likelihood of a suicide-by-cop encounter and minimise the risk of injury to the individual, deputies and the public.”
The former Celebrity Big Brother contestant’s managers released a joint statement to TMZ, confirming they were “aware of the concerning content circulating online”.
Dante Rusciolelli and Rebekah Kochan said they had “not been able to make direct contact with him, despite our ongoing efforts to reach him”, and that their “primary concern” was Hilton’s health and well-being, “as well as the well-being of his family”.
They continued: “Until we have confirmed information, we will not speculate or comment further. We appreciate everyone’s concern and ask that his privacy be respected during this time.”
The Independent has contacted Hilton’s reps for additional comment.
Hilton – real name Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr – is known for his eponymous gossip blog, which, in the 2000s, caused controversy for its no-holds-barred posts as well as its practice of outing celebrities who were keeping their sexuality private.
He himself expressed regret for his actions in the book TMI: My Life in Scandal, which was published in 2020. “I regret that I thought it was OK to out celebrities,” Hilton wrote. “That is something I no longer believe.”
Hilton has three children, born via surrogacy. He appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2015 and became the seventh housemate to be evicted, two days before the final.
If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.
If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
