Entertainment News4 min(s) read
Hollywood gossip blogger Perez Hilton could face months or even years in a secure psychiatric facility following a self-harm livestream on TikTok, close sources and legal experts have revealed.
Hilton, 48, whose real name is Mario Lavandeira Jr., was hospitalized after being detained under Florida's Baker Act when viewers witnessed him repeatedly slash himself with a knife.
Doctors at HCA Florida Kendall Hospital are currently treating him for significant blood loss and additional injuries that will require upcoming surgeries.
A source close to the personality indicated that he likely faces permanent physical scarring from the incident and remains unable to grasp the full extent of the crisis.
"Perez knows that something happened and he knows that things aren't good right now," a friend revealed to the Daily Mail.
"But he doesn't have a lot of presence of mind. He's not able to fully process what happened." The friend added, "This is not going to be something where in five days, I'm like, "he's fine," This is months, maybe years."
Once medically discharged from the hospital, Hilton will not return home. Instead, he will be transferred to a secure mental health facility where specialists will have 72 hours to evaluate his condition.
While he could theoretically be released if deemed no longer a danger to himself or others, legal experts consider that outcome unlikely.
Florida attorney Mark Astor, who specializes in Baker Act cases, explained that automatic release after three days is improbable given the circumstances. "You don't just get to walk out of there after 72 hours," Astor stated to the Daily Mail.
"Whether it's a mental health issue, drugs, or all of the above, they need to get to the bottom of what has happened here. Period."
Astor outlined the legal options authorities face, noting, "Number one, they could release him. Number two, they get him to agree to stay on a voluntary basis."
He added, "Or number three, they could file what's known as a petition for involuntary placement," which would trigger a confidential court hearing before a Miami-Dade judge within five days.
During such a hearing, representatives would evaluate whether long-term involuntary holding is necessary. "Most of the time these things take place inside the actual facility," Astor noted.
"There's going to be a prosecutor from the state attorney's office, and either a private defense lawyer or a court-appointed public defender."
He noted that "There'll probably be a doctor there from the facility saying this is why we need more time." While standard court orders can hold a patient for up to six months, Astor anticipates an initial 30-day placement.
Hilton's 72-year-old mother, Teresita Lavandeira, has remained at his bedside, while his three children (Mario, 13; Mia, 11; and Mayte, 8) remain in her care away from the hospital.
His family, including sister Barbara Giarraffa, could seek a transfer to a private treatment facility or petition for legal guardianship to assume control over his medical decisions.
"If he's willing to get help, great. It's possible they come to an agreement with the state for what's known as a bed-to-bed transfer," Astor explained. "They could potentially file for a guardianship. In effect, they would be saying to the judge, listen, we want to get the state out of the picture here."
Astor added, "He's got a family that loves him and we want to be the decision-makers for him."
Reflecting on the public nature of the breakdown, Astor observed, "This has probably been a long time coming. He just reached the point of no return," noting, "The fact that he did it online on TikTok suggests he was praying for help: 'Somebody come and save me.'"
However, Astor expressed optimism for Hilton's ultimate recovery, saying, "The idea here is to get him back in the game, not to tarnish him or take his children away. I think he's going to get the help he needs and he's going to be a dad again."
In an official statement, Hilton's team confirmed: "Perez's condition remains serious but stable." They noted, "He experienced significant blood loss and sustained additional injuries that will require surgery in the coming days."
The statement concluded, "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," adding, "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."
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
2 min(s) read
us3 min(s) read
us3 min(s) read
celebrity3 min(s) read
us2 min(s) read
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 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.
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'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 blogger Perez Hilton has given a major update on his health after he was hospitalized for self-harming on a live stream.
Hilton, who rose to fame covering the covers of celebs like Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan during the mid-00s, was live streaming on TikTok Tuesday night, where he appeared to be covered in blood and brandishing a knife.
After being taken to hospital, authorities confirmed that his disturbing behaviour on the live stream had resulted in several calls to police from concerned viewers.
Now, Hilton's family has given a significant update on his health after his hospitalization.
In a statement posted to Hilton's website, his family confirmed that he remained hospitalized and that his recovery would be a "long process."
"He experienced significant blood loss and sustained additional injuries," the statement read, "that will require surgery in the coming days."
The statement went on: "His treatment and recovery will be a long process."
Hilton's family also confirmed that he was hospitalized under the Florida Baker Act, a law that allows doctors to force an emergency mental health exam and to hold a person in a safe place for up to 72 hours "if they are a danger to themselves or others."
TikTok has now responded to claims that Hilton's live stream on the app wasn't taken down immediately, enabling people to tune into the disturbing content.
In a statement to the Washington Post, a spokesperson for the video-sharing app confirmed that the platform's own moderation system flagged Hilton's post within minutes of the stream starting, sending it to the moderation team for review.
However, a "moderator error" meant that there was a delay in removing the video from the platform.
TikTok denied claims that Hilton's stream went on for 30 minutes, instead claiming it ran for around half that time, and that following the delay, his account was immediately banned.
The app has, it said, also made moves to close several subsequent streams and reposted content containing Hilton in distressing scenes.
Following the livestream, TikTok then reported it to authorities.
Perez Hilton, real name Mario Lavandeira, first launched his eponymous blog in 2004. Throughout the mid-00s it became a firebrand for covering gossip items and unflattering pictures of some of the biggest stars of that era, such as Britney Spears and Paris Hilton.
Hilton has fallen foul of some of the celebrities he's covered, too. Lady Gaga and Demi Lovato have been amongst his most vocal critics.
.webp_SmgFsc?tr=cr-292.0.1244.952,f-webp,q-70,w-100)
.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)