Celebrity blogger Perez Hilton was hospitalized after livestreaming apparent self-harming behavior at his Miami, Florida home on Tuesday, August 4.
TikTok users called police to report Hilton apparently cut himself with a knife during a video livestream.
The video shows the naked 48-year-old blogger with what appears to be blood smeared all over his body. He made slicing motions on his arms, chest and neck with the knife while moaning into the camera.
Hilton, a father-of-three, was alone in the house at the time of the incident.
Concerned TikTok users notified police who responded to Hilton’s Miami home on Tuesday night. After speaking with members of Hilton’s family outside the house, police “tactically disengaged” and retreated from the house.
“In many incidents involving a person experiencing a mental health crisis or actively harming themselves, deputies prioritize deescalation by creating time, distance, and opportunities for communication,” the Miami-Dade sheriff’s office said in a statement.
“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.”
After mental health personnel communicated with Hilton, he was “safely recovered and transported by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue to a local hospital, where he is receiving medical attention,” police said.
Hilton’s reps issued a statement to TMZ: “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.”
Hilton rose to fame with his gossip blog Perezhilton.com, named after socialite and Hilton heiress Paris Hilton, in 2006. He was heavily criticized as one of the first “mean” gossip bloggers who outed closeted celebrities.
AfterElton.com published an article titled “Just How Dangerous is Perez Hilton?” The article explored how Hilton’s actions harmed closeted celebrities, because anti-gay bias was prevalent in Hollywood at the time.
But Hilton dismissed the criticism. He cited Ellen Degeneres and Rosie O’Donnell as 2 openly gay stars who were very successful.
“I know there is some controversy about outing people, but I also believe the only way we are gonna have change is with visibility,” he said. “And if I have to drag some people screaming out of the closet, then I will. I think that lots of celebrities have an archaic fear that being gay will hurt their career but look at Rosie. Look at Ellen.”