Celebrity3 min(s) read
Perez Hilton's sister has spoken out about some of the signs she noticed before finding her brother injured in his Miami home.
The 48-year-old had sparked concerns among viewers after he appeared to be covered in blood and brandishing a knife while on TikTok live, leading to the emergency services being called to his home.
Soon after, a spokesperson for the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office told NBC News that deputies had been called to Hilton's home following reports of an individual "who was livestreaming acts of self-harm on social media."
An update from the department then confirmed that the individual was "safely recovered" before being transported by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue to a hospital for medical treatment.
Now, Hilton's sister has recalled the awful moment when she found her blogger brother covered in blood in his home.
Barbara Lavandeira recalled that fateful day to Page Six, with a detailed first hand account of what happened from her perspective on August 4.
Columnist Hilton, real name Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr., rung alarm bells after livestreaming acts of self-harm on TikTok, as his sister recalled: "August 4 will forever be one of the darkest days my family and I have ever experienced."
She revealed she suspected that something was wrong as Hilton was in his bedroom with the door shut and locked, as he usually left it open.
Lavandeira, who was visiting from California, asked him if he was okay, and says he claimed he was fine despite failing to answer further knocks.
"Something just felt wrong," she said, as he also wasn't answering his phone.
She unlocked the bedroom door and found her brother in the bathroom, as she harrowingly explained: "When I opened the door, my nightmare became a reality," she said.
"Mario was standing in front of the shower, naked, cut up, covered in blood."
She went on: "What I can say with certainty is that I didn't recognize my brother when I looked at him,
"I saw it in his eyes. They didn't look the same."
Lavandeira said that Hilton smiled at her soon after, though she felt like she was 'staring at someone else'.
She called 911 once the children were away from the home, and covered her brother in towels to try and slow the bleeding.
She said that he had lost a 'significant amount of blood,' though he could still speak in a quiet voice.
She explained that her decision to speak publicly came after 'rumors, false reporting, fake exclusives and made-up quotes' started to circulate.
"I can only share what I personally witnessed and experienced, but I want people to hear directly from someone who was actually there," Lavandeira stated.
"I'm simply asking people to recognize that he has changed tremendously over the past 20 years and has genuinely tried to become a better person," she said of Hilton's past, asking for forgiveness from the public.
She also urged people not to get his family members involved, as Lavandeira added: "Whatever anyone thinks about Mario, his children and our mother are innocent,
"They shouldn't be punished or tormented because of how people feel about him."
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.
3 min(s) read
celebrity3 min(s) read
us3 min(s) read
us3 min(s) read
us3 min(s) read
Perez Hilton's family has shared an update on the celebrity blogger's condition after he was hospitalized after self-harming on a TikTok livestream.
The 48-year-old had sparked concerns among viewers after he appeared to be covered in blood and brandishing a knife while on live, leading to the emergency services being called to his home.
A spokesperson for the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office told NBC News that deputies had been called to Hilton's home following reports of an individual "who was livestreaming acts of self-harm on social media."
A subsequent update from the department confirmed that the individual had been "safely recovered" before being transported by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.
According to the statement, deputies spoke with family at the property, who confirmed the individual had been alone inside the home.
Hilton - whose real name is Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr. - was taken to hospital for treatment, and his family has now shared a statement updating fans that the blogger is able to "communicate".
They said in a statement on Hilton's website: "Our family wants to once again thank everyone who has reached out with prayers, kind messages, and support for Perez. Your compassionate humanity during this heartbreaking time has meant more than words can express.
"This has been incredibly difficult and emotional for us, made even harder because very little information has been made available to our family. While we continue to wait for further updates, we remain hopeful.
"We have also been able to confirm that Perez is able to communicate, which has given our family hope."
They added: "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. Again, thank you, truly, for all your support and compassion. We are so grateful."
Hilton, who is a father to three children through surrogacy, had been alone in his home at the time of the incident.
Officers who'd attended the scene chose to "tactfully disengage" while continuing to "monitor the situation" before taking Hilton to hospital.
The Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to Page Six that the individual had “been safely recovered and transported by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue to a local hospital, where he is receiving medical attention,” adding that their “Crisis Response Unit and Licensed Mental Health Professionals” were “on scene providing support and resources to the individual’s family.”
Hilton’s representatives at Golden Artists Entertainment, Dante Rusciolelli and Rebekah Kochan, told Page Six in a statement that they were “aware of the concerning content circulating online” involving Hilton.
They added: "At this time, we have not been able to make direct contact with him, despite our ongoing efforts to reach him,” adding that their “primary concern” was the blogger's “health and well-being, as well as the well-being of his family.”
They added: "We are grateful for the outpouring of concern and support from fans, friends and members of the media. We respectfully ask that everyone continue to honor his privacy while he receives the care he needs."
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.
The family of Perez Hilton have shared a further update on his condition since being hospitalized after appearing to self-harm on a TikTok livestream.
As previously reported, the 48-year-old had sparked concerns among viewers after he appeared to be covered in blood and brandishing a knife while on live, leading to the emergency services being called to his home.
A spokesperson for the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office told NBC News that deputies had been called to Hilton's home following reports of an individual "who was livestreaming acts of self-harm on social media."
A subsequent update from the department confirmed that the individual had been "safely recovered" before being transported by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.
Hilton - whose real name is Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr. - was taken to hospital for treatment, and his family has now revealed he will need surgery for "significant blood loss".
They said in a statement shared on Hilton's website: "We want to confirm that Perez remains hospitalized under Florida’s Baker Act. His communication has been extremely limited and confined to immediate family, medical providers, and others directly involved in his care. He has not communicated with the media or issued any public statements."
Florida's Baker Act provides individuals with emergency services and temporary hold for up to 72 hours for a mental health examination, per the Marion County Clerk.
They reiterated that there have been many false reports about the blogger's condition, and the only accurate statements would be shared on his site by his team and family.
It continued: "Perez’s condition remains serious but stable. 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. We are grateful that Perez was able to spend time with his mother and sister yesterday.
"As our family remains focused on Perez’s treatment and recovery, we also need the space and privacy to care for everyone affected by this situation."
The family also asked for members of the public and media to leave the area around Hilton's home, where several had been seen gathering in the wake of the incident, as well as to avoid taking photos of his three children at this difficult time.
The statement added: "For more than a decade, PerezHilton.com has maintained a 'no kids policy,' meaning the site does not publish photographs of children unless they are attending a public event or their family has chosen to make those photographs public on social media.
"Perez’s children remain safe and are being cared for by immediate family. Please allow them and the rest of the family the peace and privacy they desperately need during this incredibly difficult time. Thank you for your continued support, compassion, and understanding."
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.
Perez Hilton is reportedly recovering in hospital after being transported to a medical facility following what appeared to be a self-harm livestream from his Miami home.
The 48-year-old celebrity blogger, whose real name is Mario Lavandeira Jr., was taken to hospital on Tuesday after a disturbing broadcast on TikTok that prompted emergency responders to attend his property. Audio from a 911 dispatch reportedly classified the incident as a "suicide attempt."
According to the Daily Mail, sources close to Hilton's family said he is currently struggling emotionally in the aftermath of the incident.
"He's a man in a lot of pain," one insider said.
"I think right now he's focused on the physical, but it's all tied together. No one deserves the torment he's going through."
The source claimed Hilton is now "stable and alert" and has been communicating with family members while receiving treatment.
However, they added: "I don't think he's quite self-aware enough yet [to understand exactly what happened]. He's still in a dark place as I understand it. Just very very sad."
It was only after arriving at hospital that Hilton reportedly spoke the words that alarmed those closest to him.
According to the outlet, his first comments from his hospital bed were: "I need help."
Family members have since shared further details about the incident. In a statement released on Thursday, Hilton's sister, Barbara Lavandeira, said that when it became clear he was "experiencing a severe mental health crisis and harming himself," relatives and his three children "immediately fled to protect" the youngsters from witnessing any further trauma.
"Our highest priority right now is helping the children begin to heal from what they experienced," the statement said.
"An important part of that process is allowing them to safely return home and begin rebuilding a sense of security and normalcy."
The livestream reportedly remained online for between 15 and 20 minutes before being removed.
TikTok later attributed the delay to a "moderator error," according to Deadline.
Friends of Hilton told the Daily Mail they were shocked by the apparent crisis, claiming there had been no obvious warning signs beforehand.
"That's the thing," one source said.
"He was getting excited about future projects. It had been a good day up to then."
"There was nothing specific that happened that anyone knows of," the insider continued. "He hasn't been particularly depressed."
They added: "He was actually looking forward to new opportunities and new projects. The numbers on his website had been low, but they had been going up, not down."
While there was reportedly no single trigger identified, those close to Hilton believe the pressures of a recent move from Las Vegas to Miami, combined with health issues and mounting expenses, may have contributed.
"There wasn't like a big event," the source said.
"We think it's the stress from the move. He can get very overwhelmed sometimes. Everyone knows that. But never to this extent."
Perez Hilton is reportedly recovering in hospital after a disturbing self-harm incident that was broadcast live on TikTok, but sources say the celebrity blogger is now struggling with shame over what happened.
A person who has known Hilton for almost two decades told the Daily Mail: "As I understand it, he is mortified."
Despite that, the 48-year-old has reportedly asked to see the footage of the incident for himself.
"He wants to watch it to see what everybody else saw, but his family knows that would be really bad right now," the source claimed.
Hilton has apparently not watched the roughly 15-minute livestream, with relatives deliberately keeping the footage away from him while he recovers.
"The family is now protecting him from himself," the insider said. "He doesn't need to see his lowest point of his life, especially not this soon afterwards."
Hilton was hospitalized in Florida last week under the state's Baker Act, which permits people experiencing a mental health crisis to be temporarily detained for treatment.
He currently has no access to his phone, the internet or other electronic devices. However, the source said he has "asked about" the livestream and is "worried" about what was said and shown online.
"As I understand it, he asked what people are saying," the insider said.
His loved ones are reportedly trying to shield him from negative reactions while he remains vulnerable.
"Right now, everyone is telling him that the world is very supportive of him," the source explained. "We don't want him to see any negative commentary, or what happened. That would be the worst thing possible."
They added: "What Perez needs is to feel like there are people in his corner. That will give him the strength to go on."
Hilton's reception online has reportedly been mixed. Some public figures have expressed sympathy for him despite his controversial history, while others have pointed to his past treatment of celebrities.
One person who has spoken compassionately about Hilton is former America's Next Top Model contestant Adrianne Curry, despite previously alleging that the blogger had targeted her for years.
The source said exposing him to hostile reactions could be particularly damaging while he is recovering.
"If he sees the comments that he brought it on himself, or people who wish him harm, that will do more harm than good with him," they said. "He really needs support right now."
On August 4, Hilton harmed himself during a TikTok livestream, with emergency responders sent to his address by horrified viewers.
His family later revealed that his three children, Mario, 13, Mia, 11, and Mayte, eight, had been inside the home shortly before the incident.
It was later confirmed by his family that he had sustained "significant blood loss" and additional injuries that required surgery.
The insider said Hilton understands at least some of what happened, although he reportedly does not remember the incident itself.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.
Perez Hilton has reportedly been taken to hospital in Miami, Florida, after authorities responded to concerns that he had been livestreaming acts of self-harm on social media.
A spokesperson for the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office told NBC News that deputies had been called to the home of the former celebrity blogger following reports of an individual "who was livestreaming acts of self-harm on social media."
While the sheriff's office did not identify Hilton by name, the statement was issued in response to questions about the media personality.
A subsequent update from the department confirmed that the individual had been "safely recovered" before being transported by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.
According to the statement, deputies spoke with family at the property, who confirmed the individual had been alone inside the home.
A TikTok livestream that circulated online on Tuesday allegedly showed Hilton with blood visible on his body and cuts to his arms and torso while appearing to draw a knife across himself. The video has since been removed from the platform.
Dante Rusciolelli and Rebekah Kochan, co-heads of management company Golden Artists Entertainment, which represents Hilton, said they were aware of the footage.
"We are aware of the concerning content circulating online," they said in a statement.
"At this time, we have not been able to make direct contact with him, despite our ongoing efforts to reach him."
They added: "Our primary concern is Perez's health and well-being, as well as the well-being of his family."
Hilton, whose real name is Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr, rose to prominence in the early 2000s through his celebrity gossip website, PerezHilton.com, which launched in 2004 and became one of the internet's most recognizable entertainment news platforms.
Throughout his career, Hilton has also attracted controversy. He faced criticism for publicly outing LGBTQ celebrities before they had spoken about their sexuality themselves, was accused of stalking by Lady Gaga in 2013, and was previously sued over recordings involving Britney Spears.
He also sparked backlash while serving as a judge at the 2009 Miss America pageant after making derogatory remarks about a contestant who opposed same-sex marriage.
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of self-harm or suicide, seeking support from a trusted person or a qualified mental health professional can make a difference. If you believe someone is in immediate danger, contact your local emergency services right away.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.
.webp_lli6Ty?tr=cr-74.9.445.380,f-webp,q-70,w-1024)
.webp_lli6Ty?tr=cr-74.9.445.380,f-webp,q-70,w-100)