Perez Hilton’s family says his children were inside his Miami home just minutes before an alarming TikTok livestream that ended with him hospitalized.
Perez Hilton’s family says his children were inside his Miami home just minutes before an alarming TikTok livestream that ended with him hospitalized, and they are now focused on helping the kids recover from what they experienced.
In an Aug. 6 statement posted on PerezHilton.com, Hilton’s family said, “The events of the past several days have been nearly unbearable for our family.” The family said that “just minutes before the public livestream incident, Perez’s children, niece, and sister were inside the home.” When it became clear he was “experiencing a severe mental health crisis and harming himself,” the family said they “immediately fled to protect the children from witnessing any further trauma.”
Hilton is the father of Mario, 13, Mia, 11, and Mayte, 8. The children live in Miami, where the family recently moved to be closer to Hilton’s mother, Teresita Lavandeira.
The family said their “highest priority right now is helping the children begin to heal from what they experienced,” adding that part of that process is “allowing them to safely return home and begin rebuilding a sense of security and normalcy.” They also asked for privacy around the home: “For the children’s safety, privacy, and well-being, we respectfully ask members of the media, paparazzi, content creators, and the public to leave the area surrounding the family’s home and not return.”
NBC News reported that Hilton, 48, whose real name is Mario Lavandeira, started a livestream on his TikTok account Tuesday before the platform pulled it and his account down. NBC News said that in the video, he appeared to be covered in blood, with visible cuts and holding what appeared to be a knife.
A spokesperson for the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office told NBC News that deputies responded Tuesday night to reports of someone “who was livestreaming acts of self-harm on social media.” The sheriff’s office did not name Hilton, but said the person was “safely recovered” and taken by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue to a hospital for medical attention. The notes also state authorities were called for reports of a “suicide attempt,” and that Hilton was hospitalized under Florida’s Baker Act.
Hilton’s representatives at Golden Artists Entertainment Co. said in an Aug. 5 statement posted to Instagram that they were aware of “the concerning content circulating online involving our client, Perez Hilton,” but had not been able to reach him. “Our primary concern is Perez’s health and well being, as well as the well being of his family,” the statement said. “Until we have confirmed information, we will not speculate or comment further.”
According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, a parent’s mental health crisis can affect children depending on what they witnessed, how much instability follows and what support systems are put in place. The organization says “mental illnesses in parents represent a risk for children in the family,” and that these children have “a higher risk for developing mental illnesses than other children.” The group also notes that “an inconsistent, unpredictable family environment also contributes to psychiatric illness in children,” and that a parent’s mental illness can affect parenting abilities and, in turn, harm a child.
CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 27: Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr. and family attend the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation's 30th Annual A Time for Heroes Family Festival at Smashbox Studios on October 27, 2019 in Culver City, California. (Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images for Elizabeth Glazer Pediatric AIDS Foundation)The same guidance points to protective factors that can reduce risk, including “help and support from family members,” “a stable home environment,” psychotherapy for the child and parent, and “a strong relationship with a healthy adult.” It also says professionals treating mentally ill adults should ask about the children, and that if there are serious concerns, an evaluation by a qualified mental health professional may help.
Hilton’s family said they plan to share updates “through PerezHilton.com when we have additional information we are able to share,” and added, “Again, thank you for your compassion, understanding, and continued prayers.”
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 or go to 988lifeline.org to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
