Perez Hilton Hospitalized After Harming Himself on Livestream, Officials Say

• Blogger Perez Hilton is under medical care after reportedly livestreaming a broadcast in which he was engaging in self-harm.
• Suicide prevention experts say people who are feeling emotionally overwhelmed can be more susceptible to suicidal thoughts.
• They say there are practical things people and those around them can do to lower the risk of suicide.

Warning: This article contains sensitive content that some readers may find disturbing. Discretion is advised.

Celebrity blogger Perez Hilton has been hospitalized after reportedly engaging in self-harm during a livestream broadcast.

Officials in the Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s office said that deputies responded to Hilton’s Florida home after receiving reports of a person “who was livestreaming acts of self-harm on social media.”

The video was streamed on TikTok before the platform pulled it. While the video was live, viewers pleaded with Hilton and asked for his phone number so they could alert authorities.

A TikTok official later told FOX Business that the livestream was flagged within minutes, but a “moderator error” delayed its removal.

TikTok said it immediately alerted law enforcement. The social media platform added that the livestream violated the platform’s Community Guidelines.

In a statement, Hilton’s family confirmed that he’s currently receiving medical care. “Our family cannot express enough our continued gratitude for the overwhelming outpouring of love, support, and prayers we have received during this incredibly difficult time,” the family said.

Social media may amplify mental health issues

Hilton, 48, gained notoriety in the early 2000s by publicizing and sometimes belittling celebrities who made public gaffes. In 2010, he said he would stop making fun of people on his website to discourage teenage bullying.

Hilton, whose real name is Mario Lavandeira, is a single father with three children, all under the age of 14 and born via surrogacy. He is not related to the Hilton hotel chain family.

In a YouTube video posted on June 28, Hilton talked about how he was feeling “overwhelmed” and “in a bit of a spiral” after moving his family to Miami three years ago. Earlier this year, Hilton spent 21 days in the hospital after some life threatening health issues.

Christine Yu Moutier, MD, the chief medical officer at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), said she couldn’t speak directly about Hilton’s case, but she said a person who is feeling overwhelmed can be more vulnerable to suicidal inclinations.

“When someone is overwhelmed, their brain can experience what researchers call ‘thought constriction’ — a narrowing of thinking that reduces coping strategies and the person’s usual problem-solving with many options; and where suicide as a solution to overwhelming pain becomes more of a focus,” Moutier told Healthline.

“Emotions feel larger, options feel fewer, and the person can get stuck in a loop of hopelessness,” Moutier said, adding that online platforms can increase that risk.

“Social media can amplify the risk of self-harm for many, especially for those with vulnerabilities like mental health conditions or other risk factors for suicide,” she said.

Moutier noted that social media sites can take actions to reduce risks.

“Platforms have an important responsibility: reducing graphic content, limiting sensational details, and promoting help-and-hope messaging can reduce harm,” Moutier said.

What to know about suicide prevention

According to the AFSP, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States.

In 2024, there were more than 48,000 suicide-related deaths in the United States, a 1% decrease from 2023.

The AFSP also reports there were 2.2 million suicide attempts in the United States in 2024, a sharp increase from 2023.

The non-profit organization notes that suicide-related deaths were four times higher among males compared to females.

The group reports that suicide is the second leading cause of death among youth and young adults ages 15 to 34, although suicide rates in this age group decreased by 4% from 2023 to 2024.

Moutier said there are numerous things a person can do if they are having suicidal thoughts. Among them:

• Call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for confidential support 24/7.
• Remove lethal means such as medications and firearms from your house and store them outside your home temporarily.
• Tell a trusted friend, family member, or clinician how you’re feeling.
• Use grounding strategies and pause before making big decisions, especially when your current state of mind is affecting you.

If someone close to them is exhibiting signs of suicidal thoughts, Moutier recommended taking action immediately:

• Take the situation seriously and don’t dismiss it as “attention seeking.”
• Ask directly and compassionately: “Are you thinking of harming yourself or ending your life?” Asking directly does not increase risk and gives the person permission to talk.
• Listen without judgment. Validate the person’s feelings, avoid minimization, and avoid moralizing language. Statements such as “I’m so glad you told me,” “I want to help you get the support you need,” and “You don’t have to face this alone” are important.
• Connect the person in distress with support services.
• Follow-up by checking in and supporting treatment engagement.

“We all have a role: individuals should practice self-care and avoid risky content,” Moutier said. “Friends, family, and clinicians should respond with compassion and connect people to help. Platforms and the media should apply safeguards to reduce harm and promote help-seeking.”