For more than 20 years, Perez Hilton has been one of entertainment’s most polarizing media personalities, building a career on celebrity scoops, commentary and pop culture coverage. Now, attention has shifted to Perez himself after he was hospitalized following a concerning TikTok livestream that prompted authorities to respond to his home.
Learn more about Perez, why he was hospitalized, and other updates below.
Perez, who was born on March 23, 1978, in Miami, Florida, is an American celebrity blogger, columnist and media personality of Cuban descent. After graduating from New York University with a degree in theater, he founded PerezHilton.com in 2004. The site became one of the most influential celebrity gossip blogs of the 2000s, known for publishing celebrity scoops, opinionated commentary and tabloid photos marked up with his handwritten captions and doodles. Perez later expanded his career by writing four books, launching podcasts, appearing on reality shows including Celebrity Big Brother and Worst Cooks in America: Celebrity Edition—which he won—and starring in his own VH1 series, What Perez Sez.
Throughout his career, Perez has also drawn criticism for his confrontational writing style, publicly speculating about celebrities’ sexual orientation before they came out, and other posts that many viewed as invasive or insensitive. In recent years, he has publicly reflected on those controversies and said he regrets some of his past behavior.
On August 4, 2026, Perez was taken to a hospital after a concerning TikTok livestream prompted viewers to call authorities. According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to his home and safely made contact with Perez before Miami-Dade Fire Rescue transported him to a local hospital for medical evaluation. Officials also said licensed mental health professionals responded to support his family.
Perez was hospitalized after appearing to harm himself during the TikTok livestream, which led concerned viewers to request a welfare check. In a statement, the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said, “Our deputies utilized de-escalation techniques and crisis intervention protocols to safely engage the individual. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue transported the individual to a local hospital for medical evaluation. The Crisis Response Unit and licensed mental health professionals also responded to provide support to family members.”
His managers, Dante Rusciolelli and Rebekah Kochan, later added, “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.”
