Perez Hilton’s family are remaining hopeful after confirming the celebrity blogger is able to communicate as he continues to receive medical treatment a day after he was taken to hospital following an apparent mental health crisis.
Perez Hilton’s family are remaining hopeful after confirming the celebrity blogger is able to communicate as he continues to receive medical treatment a day after he was taken to hospital following an apparent mental health crisis
The entertainment commentator, 48, whose real name is Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr., was taken to a local hospital in Miami after emergency services responded to reports of concerning activity during a livestream on social media.
Now, in a public statement posted on Hilton’s website, his family said they had received limited information but confirmed he was receiving care and was able to communicate.
Authorities have also confirmed there is no active criminal investigation into the incident.
The update comes as Hilton’s representatives, family and colleagues continue to ask for privacy while he recovers.
In the statement published on Hilton’s website, his family said: “This has been incredibly difficult and emotional for us, made even harder because very little information has been made available to our family.
“While we continue to wait for further updates, we remain hopeful.”
They added: “We have also been able to confirm that Perez is able to communicate, which has given our family hope.”
The family also thanked those who had contacted them in recent days, praising “everyone who has reached out with prayers, kind messages, and support for Perez”.
They added fans’ “compassionate humanity during this profoundly heartbreaking time has meant more than words can express”.
The statement continued by asking for “continued prayers, understanding, and grace as Perez continues to recover” and said the family would “share additional updates as (they) receive confirmed information and are able to do so.”
Perez’s loved ones went on: “For now, we’re taking things one step at a time and keeping our focus where it belongs, on Perez and his recovery.
“Again, thank you, truly, for all your support and compassion. We are so grateful.”
According to Page Six, the Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s Office said officers were dispatched to Perez’s Miami home after receiving multiple calls regarding an individual live-streaming acts of self-harm on social media.
Deputies spoke with family members before later confirming Perez had been safely transported by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue to a local hospital to receive medical attention.
The sheriff’s office also said its Crisis Response Unit and licensed mental health professionals attended the scene to provide support and resources to Hilton’s family.
Perez’s representatives at Golden Artists Entertainment, Dante Rusciolelli and Rebekah Kochan, said in a statement that they were aware of the online content involving their client but had been unable to make direct contact with him.
They said their “primary concern” was Perez’s “health and well-being, as well as the well-being of his family”.
In a subsequent statement to Page Six, the pair added they “do not have any additional information to share” at this time.
They also said: “We are grateful for the outpouring of concern and support from fans, friends and members of the media.
“We respectfully ask that everyone continue to honor his privacy while he receives the care he needs.”
Page Six also reported Perez’s sister, Barbara ‘Barbie’ Lavandeira, was seen arriving at the family home in Miami, where Hilton lives with his mother, Teresita Lavandeira.
Authorities were also present at the property, with the publication reporting that the response formed part of standard procedures to assist the family and manage media activity.
The developments follow what sources described to Page Six as a challenging year for Perez, which reportedly included a cross-country move, significant health issues and financial difficulties following multiple surgeries.
Perez, who is the father of three children through surrogacy, rose to prominence in the 2000s through his celebrity gossip website before expanding into podcasting and entertainment commentary. Following his hospitalisation, his podcast co-host, Chris Booker, confirmed the programme would be paused, saying it was “all TBD at the moment”.
