The family of celebrity entertainment blogger Perez Hilton says they “remain hopeful” after he was hospitalized during a mental health crisis at his South Florida home.
Authorities responded to a neighborhood in Westchester after they received “multiple calls regarding an individual who was livestreaming acts of self-harm on social media” on Tuesday night, according to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office.
The video, which was streamed on TikTok before the platform pulled it, appeared to show Hilton covered in blood, with visible cuts and holding what appeared to be a knife, NBC News reported. In the video, viewers pleaded with him and asked for his phone number so they could alert authorities.
Ethan Miller/Getty ImagesEthan Miller/Getty Images
Perez Hilton attends the grand opening of Caspian’s Cocktails & Caviar at Caesars Palace on January 10, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Family shares new statement
On his website, a new statement attributed to Perez Hilton’s family reads:
“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.
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.
For resources on mental health, visit https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help.”
What happened to Perez Hilton?
After official responded to the scene, NBC6 cameras captured a man inside the residence who appeared to be naked and bloody, before paramedics loaded him into an ambulance and drove away. The sheriff’s office said they had spoken with family members, and only one person was inside the home at the time of the incident.
Deputies initially released a statement in response to an inquiry about Hilton, but they did not mention the 48-year-old by name. Later, the sheriff’s office reported that a person had been “safely recovered” and taken to the hospital.
On Wednesday, they confirmed that person was Hilton and that he was Baker Acted.
Neighbors said they knew a man lived in the home with three children, and that the family had moved in about two months ago, but not that he was a famous blogger.
Maria Granadillo said she was on her way home on Tuesday night when deputies stopped her from reaching her house. Her Ring cameras captured part of what happened, including authorities calling for “Mario” to come out.
“I was like there’s no way, there’s only a guy that’s called Mario next door, that’s the guy they’re trying to get out,” neighbor Maria Granadillo said. “And then the police kind of like withdrew, they waited in the corner and then like about midnight an ambulance came in.”
Authorities responded and said they were de-escalating the situation and using crisis intervention techniques.
Granadillo said she hopes “that he gets better, that he finds the help he needs, [and] that all of the family heals.”
Hilton’s agent and the CEO of Golden Artists Entertainment Dante Rusciolelli released a statement Wednesday afternoon.
“At this time, we do not have any additional confirmed information to share regarding Perez Hilton’s condition. Our focus remains on Perez’s health, recovery, and the privacy of both him and his family during this incredibly difficult time,” the statement said. “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 in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat live at 988lifeline.org. You can also visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional support.