Miami authorities on Aug. 4 responded to the home of Perez Hilton after several reports alleged the podcaster was seen harming himself on a TikTok livestream.
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said it received “multiple calls regarding an individual who was livestreaming acts of self-harm on social media.” The office later confirmed that the individual has been “safely recovered and transported” to a local hospital and is receiving medical attention.
A disturbing but unverified video circulating online appears to show the 48-year-old celebrity blogger nude and covered in what seems to be blood while exhibiting signs of distress and holding a sharp item.
Deputies arrived at the home and spoke to family members on the scene to confirm he was alone inside, the sheriff’s office said in a statement Aug 4.
The sheriff’s office told USA TODAY it was monitoring the situation and “providing the needed support to his family.”
“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,” the sheriff’s statement reads.
USA TODAY has reached out to Hilton’s representative for comment.
Perez Hilton moved to Miami in June
In June, he announced in an Instagram video that he moved back to Miami with his three children and his mother, Teresita Lavandeira.
He is a father to Mario Armando Lavandeira III, 13, Mia Alma, 11, and Mayte Amor, 8, all of whom he welcomed through surrogacy.
Born Mario Lavandeira, Hilton is known for his celebrity gossip website, which reached a massive audience after its 2004 launch. He built a controversial reputation for his bold opinions on the interpersonal dynamics of the biggest stars and has faced backlash from celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Miley Cyrus, Khloe Kardashian, Lady Gaga and more.
In a 2012 interview with the New York Times, Hilton appeared to express regret about the nature of his blog, saying, “What’s important for me is not being liked, but it is that people think I am no longer toxic to the world.”
“I’m aware of the fact there are going to be a lot of people with lingering resentment and a lot of skeptics,” he told the outlet. “And that’s okay because I am not pretending to be perfect.”
If you or someone you know may be experiencing a mental health crisis, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing or texting “988.”