Perez Hilton
Perez Hilton

MIAMI — Celebrity blogger and podcaster Perez Hilton was hospitalized Tuesday night after deputies responded to his Miami-area home following reports that he had livestreamed acts of self-harm on social media, according to the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office.

A spokesperson for the sheriff's office confirmed in a statement that deputies responded after receiving multiple calls about an individual livestreaming self-harm, though the initial statement did not name Hilton directly. In a follow-up statement, the office said the person was "safely recovered" and transported by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue to a local hospital, where he was receiving medical attention.

How the incident unfolded

According to the sheriff's office, deputies located the residence and spoke with family members who were on scene, confirming that the person inside the home was alone at the time. Rather than attempting an immediate confrontation, authorities said deputies chose to "tactically disengage" while continuing to monitor the situation, a de-escalation approach the department said it commonly uses in incidents involving a person experiencing a mental health crisis or engaging in self-harm.

The sheriff's office said its Crisis Response Unit, along with licensed mental health professionals, was dispatched to the scene to provide support and resources to Hilton's family throughout the incident. The video that prompted the response had been streamed on TikTok before the platform removed it; several viewers reportedly commented during the broadcast, urging Hilton to stop and asking for a way to reach him or alert authorities on his behalf.

Neighbors near the home told local NBC affiliate NBC6 that they believed the person involved was Hilton, though law enforcement did not immediately confirm his identity by name in its public statements.

Hilton's representatives respond

The co-CEOs of Golden Artists Entertainment, the talent management firm that represents Hilton, issued a statement Tuesday night acknowledging the situation. "We have not been able to make direct contact with him, despite our ongoing efforts to reach him," co-CEOs Dante Rusciolelli and Rebekah Kochan said in the statement, adding that their primary concern was for Hilton's health and well-being, as well as that of his family.

A recent move back to his hometown

The incident comes just weeks after Hilton, 48, announced that he and his three children, all born via surrogacy, were relocating back to Miami after roughly three and a half years living in Las Vegas. In a video posted to Instagram on June 17 announcing the move, Hilton also discussed a recent hospital stay, telling followers he felt compelled to return to his native city. In a separate follow-up video, Hilton and his children expressed enthusiasm about the relocation, with Hilton speaking about seeking peace and good health for his family going forward.

A long career in celebrity media

Hilton, whose legal name is Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr., built his public profile in the early-to-mid 2000s through his gossip website, PerezHilton.com, which he launched after studying acting at New York University. The site became known for its irreverent, often pointed commentary on celebrities, and Hilton went on to expand his presence with a fashion blog, a musical project and numerous television appearances over the following two decades. More recently, he has continued reaching audiences through "The Perez Hilton Podcast with Chris Booker," on which he and co-host Chris Booker discuss current entertainment news.

In 2010, Hilton publicly stated he intended to move away from the more combative tone that had defined his early blogging, telling television host Ellen DeGeneres at the time that he wanted to be part of the solution rather than part of the problem when it came to bullying, particularly among teenagers.

A health scare earlier this year

Tuesday's incident follows a separate health scare Hilton disclosed publicly earlier this year, when he said in a lengthy Instagram video that he had been hospitalized for roughly three weeks after what began as a bout of the flu developed into more serious complications. That earlier hospitalization was referenced again in his June announcement about relocating to Miami, suggesting the move was tied in part to a broader effort to prioritize his health.

As of Tuesday night, authorities had not released additional details about Hilton's medical condition following his transport to the hospital, and his representatives said they had still not been able to reach him directly. The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office said its Crisis Response Unit remained available to support Hilton's family as the situation continued to develop.

News outlets including NBC News, CNN and Newsweek have reported on the incident based on statements from the sheriff's office and Hilton's representatives, though full details about the circumstances leading up to the livestream, and Hilton's condition since being hospitalized, had not been made public as of early Wednesday.

This is a developing story, and further details are expected to emerge as authorities and Hilton's representatives provide additional updates.

This story discusses self-harm. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide or self-harm, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or visit 988lifeline.org for support. Help is also available at SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources.

Read more