Perez Hilton Released From Hospital After Self-Harm Livestream

Perez Hilton Treated for Overdose After Self-Harm Livestream

Perez Hilton is continuing his recovery. 

A month after the celebrity gossip blogger (real name Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr.) was hospitalized over a concerning livestream where he appeared to violently harm himself, his family confirmed he is continuing on the next chapter of his recovery journey.

“We wanted to share an update with everyone who has continued to reach out, send messages, and share well wishes for Perez and our family,” Hilton’s family wrote in a statement shared to his website on Sept. 14. “After weeks in the hospital receiving treatment for his physical injuries, Perez entered a residential treatment program where he can focus fully on his mental health and recovery.”

Although the 48-year-old’s family acknowledged his move to a new care facility was an “important step,” they emphasized, “There’s still a long road ahead.”

“Perez is expected to remain in residential treatment for several more weeks, potentially longer, depending on what his treatment team believes is best for his recovery,” the family continued. “He still does not have access to his phone or laptop, and his contact with family and friends remains limited so that he can focus fully on getting better.”

The family went on to shut down several false claims about the internet personality circulating, including that he has lost 10 years of his memory or has been requesting to see Katy Perry. As they put it, “He is lucid and communicates clearly with his family.”

Following confirmation that Hilton’s mother Teresita Lavandeira filed for temporary custody of his three children, aged 8 to 13, last month, the Lavandeira family also said the kids “remain together, safe, and doing well in the care of their grandmother.”

“Our family’s priority continues to be giving them as much stability, routine, and ‘normalcy’ as possible while their dad focuses on his recovery,” his loved ones continued in their update. “We are incredibly grateful for everything their grandmother is doing for them.”

And while criticizing “disturbing” comments about Hilton—including those suggesting they wish he had died—they asked commenters to look beyond his internet persona. 

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“Whatever anyone may think of ‘Perez Hilton,’ his past, or things he has said over the years, there’s a real human being behind the name,” the family stated. “Mario is a father of three, a son, a brother, and a friend who reached a point where he was struggling so deeply that he thought the people he loved would somehow be better off without him.”

And while Hilton’s family did not defend his past inappropriate online behavior, they implored the public to have compassion during this difficult time for him. 

“No one has to forget his past or accept his apologies but we hope we can all agree that celebrating someone’s suicide attempt crosses a line,” the statement added. “Three children came frighteningly close to losing their father forever. There is nothing funny or entertaining about that.”

Noting that Hilton is focusing on “fully getting healthy,” his family championed September as Suicide Prevention Month. 

“We hope this can also serve as a reminder that mental health struggles can affect anyone,” they added. “Even when others may not see what someone is going through.”

If you or someone you know needs help, call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the network, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.