Perez Hilton hospitalized after family says children fled home during livestream self-harm

Key points

• Hilton’s family issued a statement on Thursday saying his children, niece, and sister were inside the home 'minutes before' the livestream and 'fled to protect from witnessing any further trauma.'
• The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office confirmed that deputies responded to multiple calls regarding a livestream of self-harm, spoke with family members, and confirmed Hilton was alone in the residence.
• Hilton, 48, was transported to a local hospital by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and is currently receiving medical attention; his family confirmed he is able to communicate.
• TikTok removed the livestream and Hilton’s account after the platform flagged the content, though the stream remained active for approximately 15 minutes before being taken down.
• Hilton had been hospitalized at least twice in the months preceding this incident for an ulcer, sepsis, and deep vein thrombosis, and recently told followers he had found God.

Background

Perez Hilton, legally Mario Lavandeira, rose to fame in the early 2000s for his celebrity gossip blog, which was often criticized for invasive coverage. He relocated to Miami from Las Vegas in June 2026 with his children. In May 2026, he disclosed significant medical and financial pressures, including hospital bills despite having insurance. Prior to this week’s incident, he had privately apologized to celebrities like Britney Spears and Khloé Kardashian for past harsh coverage, according to earlier reports.

How outlets are covering it

NBC News emphasized the immediate impact on Hilton’s family, highlighting that his children and relatives fled the home to avoid witnessing the self-harm. Variety focused on the police response, noting that deputies were ordered to 'tactically disengage' while monitoring the situation, and highlighted statements from his management agency, Golden Artists Entertainment, which expressed concern for his privacy. CNN detailed the role of social media users who urged Hilton to stop during the stream and noted the sheriff’s office’s use of crisis intervention techniques to de-escalate the situation. All sources agreed that Hilton was safely recovered and hospitalized, but differed in their emphasis on the family’s trauma versus the law enforcement response.

Why it matters

The incident highlights the risks of public mental health crises on social media platforms and the challenges of moderation speed. It also underscores the vulnerability of children in celebrity households during such events, as well as the ongoing scrutiny of TikTok’s content moderation policies following the 15-minute delay in removing the livestream.

What to watch

Hilton’s family is focused on his recovery and the emotional healing of his children, who are under 14. Authorities are monitoring the situation, and the family has requested privacy. There is no immediate indication of further legal or public statements from Hilton, as he is currently hospitalized and unable to engage with the public.