Celebrity blogger Perez Hilton was taken to hospital on Tuesday after police responded to reports of him self-harming during a live broadcast on TikTok.
His family announced on Wednesday, August 5, that the 48-year-old blogger is able to communicate, saying the development has given them hope for his recovery.
Family statement and recovery
In a statement published on his personal blog, the family thanked members of the public who sent prayers, kind messages, and support following the incident. They stated that the humanity and compassion shown during an extremely difficult period meant more than words could express.
Although the family described the situation as incredibly difficult and highlighted the emotional strain involved, they expressed optimism about his condition. They confirmed that Perez can communicate, which provided hope to his loved ones, while asking for continued respect for his privacy during his recovery.
Media outlet People also reported on August 6 that his family confirmed he was able to communicate following the incident.
Police response and medical care
Emergency services were alerted on Tuesday after dozens of concerned viewers phoned police while watching the broadcast. Officers rushed to the blogger's house, and emergency personnel subsequently transported him to a medical facility.
Reports from foreign media outlets indicated that he was experiencing a psychotic episode at the time of the event. His three children were not in the house during the incident. Related coverage noted that viewers saw him self-harming with a knife on camera while covered in blood.
Authorities filed an application for involuntary hospitalization. Under relevant legal provisions, such measures are taken when an individual is evaluated as potentially posing a danger to themselves or to others.
Platform moderation and ban
Representatives from TikTok said the platform's automated systems detected the live stream, but a moderation error caused a delay in taking it down. The stream remained live for about 15 minutes before being removed.
TikTok deactivated Hilton's account and later issued a permanent ban against him for violating platform guidelines concerning self-harm content.
Career and background
Perez Hilton, whose real name is Mario Lavandeira Jr., achieved widespread prominence in the early 2000s through his self-titled celebrity blog, where he published gossip and entertainment news.
His website grew into a major pop culture destination, making him one of the most visible commentators in celebrity media. However, his work frequently drew intense criticism, with critics and celebrities pointing to his caustic and controversial style as offensive, particularly toward women.
