Perez Hilton faces long recovery after self-harm livestream
The US blogger is in a "serious but stable" condition in hospital, according to his family.
Perez Hilton is facing a lengthy recuperation after a self-harm incident broadcast live online.
The American blogger is currently in a "serious but stable" state following his hospitalization, as confirmed by his family. Emergency services were dispatched to his Miami residence on Tuesday after concerned viewers reported the incident during a TikTok livestream.
The Miami sheriff's office verified their response to a scene on Tuesday where a man was "livestreaming acts of self-harm." While they did not disclose his identity, authorities stated the individual was alone in the home.
A statement released on the 48-year-old's official website indicated he "experienced significant blood loss," and that his treatment and subsequent recovery would be a "long process."
The statement further noted that Hilton is being held in the hospital under Florida's Baker Act, a provision designed to offer services to individuals undergoing a mental health crisis. The father-of-three, whose legal name is Mario Lavandeira, is anticipated to undergo surgery in the coming days.
A spokesperson for TikTok stated that their automated moderation systems flagged the livestream within minutes, alerting the company's US moderation team for review. TikTok acknowledged that a moderator error led to a delay in the content's removal. However, the company did notify law enforcement, shut down several subsequent streams within 90 seconds, and permanently banned the account.
The moniker Perez Hilton is a nod to Paris Hilton, who was at the peak of her celebrity when the gossip blog debuted in 2005. The website quickly garnered 8 million daily hits during a period when the internet was still relatively new. It drew criticism for its harsh commentary on celebrities such as Miley Cyrus and Lady Gaga. In later years, Hilton expressed remorse for his "mean or cruel" past remarks. He has also participated in reality television programs, including Celebrity Rap Superstar and Celebrity Big Brother.