Perez Hilton’s family say he is ‘able to communicate’ in fresh update following his hospitalisation
Warning: This article contains discussion of self-harm which some readers may find distressing.
Perez Hilton’s family has issued a fresh update on his condition after he was hospitalised saying they remain ‘hopeful’.
The 48-year-old celebrity blogger was taken to hospital on Tuesday (4 August) following reports of self-harm during a TikTok livestream.
Officers from the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office were called out after Hilton, whose real name is Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr, was seen covered in blood in the graphic livestream.
Advert
In the footage, which is too graphic to share, he also appeared to have cuts on his arms and torso.
Hilton’s concerned family shared an initial update in which they thanked people for the outpouring of love and support, while confirming that Hilton is ‘receiving medical care’.
In a new update shared late on Wednesday (5 August), the family said the ‘difficult’ situation was made ‘even harder’ due to a lack of information given to them.
The new statement read: “Our family wants to once again thank everyone who has reached out with prayers, kind messages, and support for Perez. Your compassionate humanity during this profoundly heartbreaking time has meant more than words can express.
“This has been incredibly difficult and emotional for us, made even harder because very little information has been made available to our family. While we continue to wait for further updates, we remain hopeful.
“We have also been able to confirm that Perez is able to communicate, which has given our family hope.
“We respectfully ask for your continued prayers, understanding, and grace as Perez continues to recover. We will share additional updates as we receive confirmed information and are able to do so. For now, we’re taking things one step at a time and keeping our focus where it belongs, on Perez and his recovery.
“Again, thank you, truly, for all your support and compassion. We are so grateful.”
Hilton, who is a dad-of-three, had recently moved to Miami from Las Vegas
Hilton is hospitalised in Miami, Florida, following his alarming livestream, which prompted a large response from police and first-responders.
The Miami-Dad Sheriff Office shared a statement about the incident without naming Hilton.
The statement shared with CNN read: "Deputies quickly located the individual’s residence, where they spoke with family members on scene, and confirmed he was alone inside.
"In many incidents involving a person experiencing a mental health crisis or actively harming themselves, deputies prioritise de-escalation by creating time, distance, and opportunities for communication.
"Unless there is an immediate threat to others, slowing the situation and utilising crisis intervention techniques can reduce the likelihood of a suicide-by-cop encounter and minimise the risk of injury to the individual, deputies, and the public."
An influencer, who appeared in the livestream, has since spoken and said she believes that Hilton 'needs real help'.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123 or contact Harmless by visiting their website https://harmless.org.uk.
Claire Reid