Perez Hilton Hospitalized After Livestream Self-Harm Incident

Celebrity blogger Perez Hilton is receiving medical care after authorities responded to his Miami-area home following reports that he appeared to engage in self-harm during a TikTok livestream on Tuesday night. The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office confirmed that deputies responded to reports of an individual “who was livestreaming acts of self-harm on social media” and safely recovered the person, who was transported to a local hospital by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.

Background and Response

The livestream, which was pulled from TikTok, appeared to show Hilton covered in blood with visible cuts while holding what appeared to be a knife. Viewers pleaded with him and asked for his phone number so they could alert authorities. Deputies spoke with family members at the scene who confirmed Hilton was alone inside the residence. According to NBC News, the sheriff’s office initially “tactically disengaged” while monitoring the situation, using crisis intervention techniques to de-escalate the encounter.

The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office explained its approach in a statement: “In many incidents involving a person experiencing a mental health crisis or actively harming themselves, deputies prioritize de-escalation by creating time, distance, and opportunities for communication. Unless there is an immediate threat to others, slowing the situation and utilizing crisis intervention techniques can reduce the likelihood of a suicide-by-cop encounter and minimize the risk of injury to the individual, deputies and the public.”

Hilton, 48, is undergoing a 72-hour psychiatric evaluation at the hospital, according to TMZ law enforcement sources. The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Crisis Response Unit and licensed mental health professionals are providing support and resources to Hilton’s family.

Family and Team Statements

In a statement posted on Hilton’s website, his team and family confirmed he is receiving medical care. “Many of you have reached out with concern for Perez, and we are incredibly grateful for the overwhelming outpouring of love, support, and prayers,” the statement said. “We can confirm that Perez is receiving medical care, and our family’s focus right now is on his well-being. We kindly ask that you respect Perez’s privacy, as well as the privacy of his family, during this difficult time.”

Dante Rusciolelli, CEO of Golden Artists Entertainment, the talent management firm that represents Hilton, said in a follow-up statement: “Our focus remains on Perez’s health, recovery, and the privacy of both him and his family during this incredibly difficult time. We are grateful for the outpouring of concern and support from fans, friends, and members of the media.”

TikTok’s Response

TikTok’s automated moderation systems flagged the livestream within minutes and routed it to the U.S. moderation team for review, but a moderator error caused a delay in removal. A TikTok U.S. spokesperson told TMZ that the platform “proactively alerted law enforcement to the situation to help get the individual support.” TikTok disputes claims the stream lasted 30 minutes, saying it was about half that time, and several additional live streams Hilton started afterward were each shut down within about 90 seconds. The platform permanently banned Hilton’s account. Law enforcement confirmed the video was not generated by AI and that Hilton suffered multiple lacerations during the evening.

A Difficult Year

The incident follows a year of significant health and personal challenges for Hilton. In March, he was hospitalized for 21 days after developing an ulcer, perforation, and sepsis from taking flu medication without food, requiring laparoscopic surgery. In April, he underwent emergency surgery for a deep vein thrombosis blood clot in his leg. E! News reported on his recovery, during which Hilton described the experience as “the worst and best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

TMZ sources also reported that Hilton was under significant financial stress before the incident. He put his $4 million Las Vegas house on the market and moved to Miami in June, primarily for his older mother. Sources say he struggled to adjust to his new life, missed the career he had built in Las Vegas, and was telling people he was stressed about finances and overwhelmed. He posted a video in May saying his hospital stay had drained his bank account.

Hilton, whose real name is Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr., rose to fame in the mid-2000s through his celebrity gossip website, PerezHilton.com. The single father of three has spoken openly about mental health struggles over the years, including in 2014 when he discussed depression in a YouTube video, and in 2024 when he wrote about feeling “really depressed.”

What’s Next

Hilton remains hospitalized as he undergoes psychiatric evaluation. His family has asked for privacy during this difficult time. The incident has also raised broader questions about how social media platforms handle live content involving self-harm and the role of technology companies in crisis intervention. For those in crisis, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available by calling or texting 988.