A family fighting on two fronts

Perez Hilton's mother has filed for temporary custody of his three children as the celebrity gossip blogger remains hospitalised following a deeply alarming incident last week, during which he appeared to self-harm on a TikTok livestream from his Miami home.

Teresita Lavandeira has submitted a petition to the courts seeking temporary custody of Hilton's three minor children, according to TMZ. She has also requested that all court records relating to the case be sealed in order to protect the children's privacy.

The children in this case should not be subjected to any further trauma related to the incidents that are the basis of the petition.

Hilton — whose real name is Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr — is father to a son and two daughters, all born via surrogate. His mother's legal move comes as the family continues to manage what they have described as an extraordinarily difficult period, balancing Hilton's medical needs with the emotional wellbeing of his children.

'Serious but stable' — and a long road ahead

In a statement published on Hilton's website on Saturday, his family confirmed that his condition remains serious but stable, and warned that his recovery would be a lengthy one. He experienced significant blood loss during the incident and sustained additional injuries that will require surgery in the coming days.

An older woman with short red hair wearing a cream turtleneck sweater stands beside a tall man in a black leather jacket, both smiling in front of a red event backdrop.
Perez Hilton poses with his mom at a Vegas Comedy event. The celebrity blogger and internet personality is known for his long-running pop culture commentary site and his close bond with his family.

The family said Hilton had been able to spend time with his mother and sister, but stressed that communication with him remained extremely limited, confined to immediate family, medical providers, and others directly involved in his care. They also made clear that Hilton had not spoken to the media or issued any public statements since being hospitalised.

As our family remains focused on Perez's treatment and recovery, we also need the space and privacy to care for everyone affected by this situation.

For the latest updates on celebrity health stories and welfare, visit the Daily Insight celebrity section.

What happened on Tuesday night

Police were called to Hilton's home in Miami-Dade County's Westchester neighbourhood late on Tuesday after multiple fans watching his TikTok livestream raised the alarm. Viewers could see Hilton appearing to be covered in blood while apparently harming himself, with commenters urging him to stop. The Miami-Dade County Sheriff's Office confirmed officers attended the property and spoke with family members on the scene before de-escalating the situation.

A Sheriff's department patrol car with red and blue lights activated parked on a residential street at night, with houses and trees visible in the background.
Sheriff's deputies responded to Perez Hilton's Miami-area residence following a self-harm incident.

Hilton's family said his three children, along with his sister and niece, had been present at the home just minutes before the incident unfolded. Once it became clear he was experiencing what they described as a severe mental health crisis, the family immediately left to prevent the children from witnessing further trauma.

TikTok confirmed its moderation system flagged the livestream within minutes, though a spokesperson acknowledged that a moderator error caused a delay in its removal. The platform has since banned Hilton's account. Reports that the stream ran for around 30 minutes were disputed by TikTok, who said it lasted approximately half that time.

A figure who defined an era

Hilton first rose to prominence in the 2000s through his celebrity gossip website, becoming one of the most recognisable and divisive figures of the early internet era. He later moved into television, appearing on shows including Celebrity Rap Superstar and Celebrity Big Brother, and has co-hosted The Perez Hilton Podcast with Chris Booker since 2015. His podcast co-host Chris Booker said in a statement that the show's future is currently up in the air, with all focus on Hilton's health.

A middle-aged man with short blonde hair, a beard, a gray graphic t-shirt, and layered necklaces including a cross takes a selfie with three children in a hallway — a boy in glasses and a blue shirt, a girl with a ponytail wearing blue Stitch ears, and a younger girl with red glasses laughing with her mouth open.

The family's most emphatic message throughout has been one of protection — for Hilton as he undergoes treatment, and for his children as they begin what will no doubt be a difficult process of recovery. They have asked the media and paparazzi to respect the space around the family home as that process begins.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please contact Samaritans on 116 123, available 24 hours a day.