Perez Hilton's children were inside his home 'just minutes' before blogger's distressing livestream, says family
Warning: This article contains discussion of self-harm which some readers may find distressing.
Perez Hilton's family have confirmed that his children were inside his home just moments before the distressing livestream, but managed to 'flee'.
The Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s Office received reports that the blogger was allegedly 'livestreaming acts of self-harm on social media', prompting deputies to attend his home in Florida yesterday (August 5).
The 48-year-old's family previously released a statement confirming that he was receiving medical care following the 'mental health crisis', but have today (August 6) released an update.
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In a new statement on the star's blog, the family wrote: "Our family cannot express enough our continued gratitude for the overwhelming outpouring of love, support, and prayers we have received during this incredibly difficult time.
The events of the past several days have been nearly unbearable for our family."
His loved ones further confirmed: "Just minutes before the public livestream incident, Perez’s children, niece, and sister were inside the home. When it became clear that Perez was experiencing a severe mental health crisis and harming himself, they immediately fled to protect the children from witnessing any further trauma.
"Our highest priority right now is helping the children begin to heal from what they experienced. An important part of that process is allowing them to safely return home and begin rebuilding a sense of security and normalcy."
Hilton is dad to Mario, 13, Mia, 11, and Mayte, 8, all of whom live in Miami, where they recently moved to be closer to the star's mom, Teresita Lavandeira.
TikTok account banned
Following the disturbing livestream, Hilton’s TikTok account was banned.
A spokesperson for TikTok has since confirmed to LADbible Group that the blogger's livestream was flagged within minutes, but a moderator error delayed its removal.
The platform has official guidelines around the content which is permitted, which includes 'content that shows, promotes, or provides instructions for suicide or self-harm', and also 'graphic, violent, or disturbing content'.
Numerous viewers who were watching the distressing livestream rang 911, which resulted in Hilton being rushed to a local hospital to receive treatment.
Authorities issue statement
Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office said in a statement shared with Variety: "In many incidents involving a person experiencing a mental health crisis or actively harming themselves, deputies prioritize de-escalation by creating time, distance, and opportunities for communication.
"Unless there is an immediate threat to others, slowing the situation and utilizing crisis intervention techniques can reduce the likelihood of a suicide-by-cop encounter and minimize 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 UK reality show Celebrity Big Brother in 2015. He also fronted his own 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 hospitalized with sepsis for three weeks from a perforated ulcer and was forced to undergo emergency surgery.
Hilton 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.
This is a breaking story, more to follow.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in a mental health crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.
If you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Helpline is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Topics: Celebrity, US News, Mental Health
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