Perez Hilton’s family issue update on star’s health after hospitalisation

The family of gay celebrity gossip blogger Perez Hilton have issued a statement about his health after he was hospitalised following reports he appeared to self-harm during a TikTok livestream.

The family and team of Hilton, whose real name is Mario Lavandeira, posted to Hilton’s website on Wednesday (5 July). Their statement outlined that Hilton is “receiving medical care” and that he “is able to communicate.”

On Tuesday (4 July) emergency services were called to the 48-year-old’s Miami home after it was reported a man was “livestreaming acts of self-harm on social media”. He was transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.

The BBC reported that while TikTok’s moderation systems flagged the livestream, a moderator error delayed its removal. A TikTok spokesperson added the company alerted law enforcement to the situation, closed several subsequent streams within 90 seconds, and banned the account.

In April, Hilton was hospitalised for 21 days for severe sepsis and a subsequent emergency admission for a deep vein thrombosis that required surgery.

‘Perez is able to communicate, which has given our family hope’

The full statement from Hilton’s family and team reads: “Many of you have reached out with concern for Perez, and we are incredibly grateful for the overwhelming outpouring of love, support, and prayers.

“We can confirm that Perez is receiving medical care, and our family’s focus right now is on his well-being.

“We kindly ask that you respect Perez’s privacy, as well as the privacy of his family, during this difficult time.

“If and when we are able to share any updates, we will do so with everyone as soon as we can.

“Thank you for your compassion, understanding, and continued support.”

Later the same day, the family issued another update sharing that Hilton “is able to communicate, which has given our family hope.”

They wrote: “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 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”

The statement concluded: “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.”