The family of celebrity blogger Perez Hilton has shared an update on his condition, saying he is “able to communicate” following his hospitalization earlier this week, while also revealing they had left his Miami-area home shortly before the incident occurred out of concern for their own safety.
Hilton, 48, whose real name is Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr., was taken to hospital late Tuesday after the Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of a livestream in which he appeared to harm himself.
The stream was flagged and removed by TikTok’s moderation system within minutes, and his account has since been deactivated.
Authorities confirmed Hilton was hospitalised under Florida’s Baker Act, which allows individuals to be held for evaluation if they are believed to pose a risk to themselves or others.
In a statement posted to his website, Hilton’s family and team wrote: “This has been incredibly difficult and emotional for us, made even harder because very little information has been made available to our family. We have also been able to confirm that Perez is able to communicate, which has given our family hope.”
They went on to thank fans for their outpouring of support.
“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,” adding that they would share further updates “as we receive confirmed information and are able to do so.”
Chris Booker, who has co-hosted The Perez Hilton Podcast with Chris Booker since 2015, also addressed the situation publicly, saying the show’s future is “all TBD at the moment as our collective focus is on his health.”
He added: “I am so profoundly sad for Perez and his family and what they’re all going through. It’s truly unimaginable.”
Golden Artists Entertainment, the talent agency representing Hilton, said in a statement it had been unable to make direct contact with him despite ongoing efforts, and that its focus “remains on Perez’s health, recovery, and the privacy of both him and his family during this incredibly difficult time.”
