Celebrity blogger Perez Hilton was hospitalized on Tuesday night after self-harming with a knife during a TikTok livestream at his Miami home.
The 48-year-old was taken to a local hospital by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue after concerned fans witnessed the incident online and called emergency services. His family revealed that his three children, sister, and niece were inside the property just minutes before the broadcast began.
Hilton's relatives stated on his website that they immediately fled the residence to protect the children from witnessing further trauma as he experienced a severe mental health crisis. They requested privacy for his family while helping his children heal and rebuild a sense of security.
The statement expressed gratitude for the love and prayers received during an unbearable time for the family. It urged members of the media, paparazzi, content creators, and the public to leave the area surrounding the family home.
Hilton, whose real name is Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr, is a father to three children born via surrogacy. His eldest son, Mario, was born in 2013, followed by daughters Mia in 2015 and Mayte in 2017.
Police Response at Miami Property
Surveillance footage from a neighbor's Ring doorbell camera showed police swarming Hilton's ranch-style house just after 7 p.m. on Tuesday. Four squad cars arrived with sirens blaring after officers received multiple emergency calls regarding his alarming behavior.
The surveillance video captured a deputy calling out, "Mario, it's the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office, please step out of the house." Clips from the video appeared to show Hilton covered in blood while brandishing a knife. Officers remained at the scene until at least 11:11 p.m., attempting to coax him out of the residence.
The Miami-Dade County Sheriff's Office stated that deputies spoke with family members and confirmed Hilton was alone inside before making the decision to "tactically disengage." Authorities explained that prioritizing de-escalation reduces the likelihood of injury and suicide-by-cop encounters when individuals experience mental health crises.
Following his transport to the hospital, members of the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office Crisis Response Unit and licensed mental health professionals stayed at the scene to support the family. Hilton was surrounded by loved ones at the hospital on Wednesday, including his 42-year-old sister, Barbara Lavandeira.
Agency Statement and Account Status
Before direct contact was established, representatives from Golden Artists Entertainment released a statement to TMZ addressing the incident. Co-CEOs Dante Rusciolelli and Rebekah Kochan expressed primary concern for Hilton's health and family while declining to speculate further.
TikTok has since removed the livestream video and suspended Hilton's account. His family confirmed on Wednesday that he remains in the hospital receiving medical care, adding that further updates will be shared through PerezHilton.com when available.
If you or someone you know needs help, the confidential 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the United States can be reached by calling or texting 988, or online at 988lifeline.org.
