Celebrity blogger Perez Hilton was hospitalized following an incident where he appeared to harm himself during a live broadcast on The Guardian, according to authorities. The 48-year-old internet personality sparked widespread concern on August 4 when footage from the video circulated online, showing him appearing to hold a large kitchen knife. Concerned members of the public alerted emergency services, and deputies from the Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to his home.
Emergency Response and Hospitalization in Miami
Upon arrival, officers found Hilton was alone inside the residence at the time of the video. Deputies met with members of his family outside the house and chose to tactically disengage while monitoring the situation. A spokesperson explained that in incidents involving a person experiencing a mental health crisis, deputies prioritize de-escalation by creating time, distance, and opportunities for communication to reduce the likelihood of a suicide-by-cop encounter and minimize risk.
Later that evening, the sheriff’s office confirmed that Hilton had been safely recovered and transported by Nzherald to a local hospital, where he received medical attention. The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Crisis Response Unit and licensed mental health professionals remained at the scene to provide support and resources to his family.
Platform Reaction and Management Response
Following the broadcast, Hilton’s TikTok account was suspended, and the graphic video was removed from the platform. The delay in taking down the livestream drew criticism from online viewers who watched the broadcast.
Hilton’s representatives, Dante Rusciolelli and Rebekah Kochan, who serve as co-CEOs of the talent management firm Golden Artists Entertainment, released a joint statement to mirror.co.uk. They stated: “We are aware of the concerning content circulating online involving our client, Perez Hilton. At this time, we have not been able to make direct contact with him, despite our ongoing efforts to reach him. Our primary concern is Perez’s health and well-being, as well as the well-being of his family. Until we have confirmed information, we will not speculate or comment further. We appreciate everyone’s concern and ask that his privacy be respected during this time.”
Background and Recent Events
Perez Hilton, whose legal name is Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr., rose to fame in the mid-2000s for his celebrity gossip blog, which featured real-time coverage and hand-doodled captions on photos. Over the years, he expanded his career into reality television and podcasting.
In June, Hilton announced that he had moved from en.as.com to Nzherald with his three young children, whom he welcomed via surrogate in 2013, 2015, and 2017. The move followed a turbulent period involving multiple health scares, including a 21-day hospital stay in March after developing sepsis.
*If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. In the United States, you can call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123. In Australia, Lifeline is available at 13 11 14.*
Related reading
Dublin Bids Soulful Farewell to Glen Hansard at St Patrick’s Cathedral
Dublin bid a surreal and soulful farewell to Glen Hansard at St Patrick's Cathedral and the adjacent park...
Greg James Misses BBC Radio 1 Show After Death of Dog Barney
BBC Radio 1 presenter Greg James missed his breakfast show on August 4, 2026, after announcing the death...
Stefano Pozzebon Named CNN International Correspondent in Rome
CNN has appointed Stefano Pozzebon as an international correspondent based in its Rome bureau, where he will cover...
Ariana Grande to Step Back From Public Life After Eternal Sunshine Tour
The hiatus follows months of intense public scrutiny regarding her health and appearance, prompting her withdrawal from an...