Perez Hilton's family has revealed that his children were home when his mental health crisis began to unfold, and now they're asking the media for space so the family can safely return home.
In a statement published on the celebrity blogger's website on Thursday, Hilton's family said the events of the last several days had been "nearly unbearable."
"Just minutes before the public livestream incident, Perez's children, niece, and sister were inside the home," the statement read. "When it became clear that Perez was experiencing a severe mental health crisis and harming himself, they immediately fled to protect the children from witnessing any further trauma."
On Tuesday night, Miami police responded to an influx of calls after a disturbing video was livestreamed on TikTok in which a bloodied Hilton harmed himself repeatedly with a box cutter and knife. Frightened fans and moderators from the social platform were among those who called authorities.
After surrounding Hilton's Miami residence, the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office said around 9pm that he had been "safely recovered and transported by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue to a local hospital, where he is receiving medical attention."
In the family's statement Thursday, they said that their highest priority right now was helping Hilton's three children and niece "begin to heal from what they experienced."
"An important part of that process is allowing them to safely return home and begin rebuilding a sense of security and normalcy," the statement continued.
"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. Please allow his children the privacy and space they need during this unimaginably difficult time."
Hilton's family also shared that, although very little information on Perez's condition has been provided to them, they had been able to confirm that he "is able to communicate," which they say has given them hope during "this heartbreaking time."
Earlier Thursday, conservative political commentator Sean Hannity released an episode featuring Hilton that was recorded in recent weeks. During the Hang Out podcast episode, Hilton expressed regret over disparaging attacks he made on the celebrities he covered over the course of his career.
"I have a lot of regrets," he told Hannity. "Attention is like a drug, and I was definitely an attention addict back then. I mean, I still am, but I think now I do a better job of keeping it in check. And when you're an addict, you don't care if you're hurting people."
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The "OG influencer" said that he attempted to make amends with some of the celebrities he targeted, including Britney Spears and Khloe Kardashian, whom he said were receptive to his apologies.
He also privately approached Neil Patrick Harris to apologise for aggressively trying to out him as a gay man in 2006, before the actor had spoken about his sexuality publicly. Harris also accepted the mea culpa.
Hilton said that he had changed his ways. "I realised what I was doing was wrong — that I could still be fun — but I don't have to be so cheap, and I don't have to be so cruel. It was cruel, and it's something that I carry with me.
"It's like my scarlet letter, and it's very heavy baggage."
In March, Hilton was hospitalised for severe sepsis for 21 days. During the ordeal, he said that God presented himself to him.
Perez claimed that he'd changed dramatically since the health scare. In recent months, he's posted about the Bible, launched a religious merch line and spoken about his religious awakening on the podcast circuit. – Los Angeles Times/TNS
Those contemplating suicide can reach out to the Mental Health Psychosocial Support Service (03-2935 9935/014-322 3392); Talian Kasih (15999/019-261 5999 on WhatsApp); Jakim’s family, social and community care centre (011-1959 8214 on WhatsApp); or Befrienders Kuala Lumpur (03-7627 2929/e-mail sam@befrienders.org.my/befriender centres in malaysia).
