TikTok confirms error as it addresses disturbing Perez Hilton livestream staying live for 15 minutes
Warning: This article contains discussion of self-harm which some readers may find distressing.
TikTok has revealed a moderation error led to the delayed removal of Perez Hilton's disturbing livestream on Tuesday (4 August).
Celebrity blogger Hilton was taken to hospital after he hosted a graphic live stream on the social media site in which he appeared to engage in self-harm, with police being called to his house over fears for his welfare.
TikTok's automated moderation system flagged the livestream within minutes, and it was routed to the moderation team for review.
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However, a TikTok spokesperson has now told Fox Business that a moderator error meant it wasn't taken down as quickly as it could have been.
TikTok has said it proactively alerted law enforcement to the situation to help get Hilton, whose real name is Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr, the support he needed.
It's added that TikTok says several further livestreams were removed within 90 seconds and Hilton's account has been banned.
LADbible Group has approached TikTok for comment.
Perez Hilton's family make statement
Officers from the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office were called out to Hilton's home and confirmed he had been 'safely recovered and transported by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue to a local hospital, where he is receiving medical attention'.
Hilton’s concerned family shared an initial update in which they thanked people for their messages of concern and support and confirmed Hilton is ‘receiving medical care’.
A further statement they gave on Wednesday (5 August) explained their challenging situation had been made 'even harder' due to them being given a lack of information.
The second 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.”
Though they didn't name Hilton directly, the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office also shared a statement on the incident.
They told CNN: "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."
Who is Perez Hilton?
Perez Hilton, real name Mario Lavandeira, is a celebrity gossip columnist whose pen name is a pun on socialite Paris Hilton.
He launched his website PerezHilton.com in 2004, originally using free WiFi in coffee shops because he couldn’t afford to install an internet connection in his home.
But he became infamous in the Noughties for his controversial coverage of the era’s biggest stars.
He had high-profile friendships with the likes of Lady Gaga, Amanda Bynes and Lindsay Lohan, but other celebs such as Mila Kunis called out what she described as his ‘mean’ coverage.
Hilton appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2015. He also fronted ITV show Perez Hilton Superfan in 2011, with appearances from Katy Perry, Kelly Rowland and Enrique Iglesias.
Writing in his 2020 memoir TMI: My Life in Scandal, Hilton said: “I have a ton of regrets, particularly because I now see that I never needed to be so mean or cruel.
“One of the many things I regret is that I hurt so many people by giving them nasty nicknames, and above all that I was unkind to the children of celebrities.
“I have apologised publicly and privately to dozens of people."
In March 2026, Hilton was hospitalised with sepsis for three weeks from a perforated ulcer and was forced to undergo emergency surgery.
He said that following the experience, he would ‘start taking the kids to church every week’.
Hilton is a single father to three children: Mario, 13, Mia, 11, and Mayte, 8.
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.
Daniel Murphy