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Long before influencers mastered the art of self-made fame, Perez Hilton chased celebrity with the keystrokes of his computer.
The viral blogger and media personality recently made headlines after police were called to his Miami home over reports of self-harm. A disturbing but unverified video circulating online appeared to show Hilton, 48, nude and seemingly covered in blood while exhibiting signs of distress and holding a sharp item.
The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office confirmed to USA TODAY that it had received "multiple calls regarding an individual who was livestreaming acts of self-harm on social media"
on Tuesday, Aug. 4. The office later confirmed that the individual was "safely recovered and transported" to a local hospital and is receiving medical attention. In a follow-up statement Wednesday, Aug. 5, Hilton's family confirmed he is "receiving medical care."
USA TODAY reached out to Hilton's representatives for comment.
Hilton, born Mario Lavandeira Jr., helped define fame culture in the late 2000s with his no-holds-barred coverage of entertainment and celebrity news. The South Florida native and New York University alum launched his eponymous blog in 2004 after previously having stints in media relations and journalism.
Who is Perez Hilton and why is he famous?
His PerezHilton.com blog chronicled celebrity gossip throughout the aughties and 2010s, often creating controversy along the way with stars from Lady Gaga to Miley Cyrus.
The content creator became known for his outspoken writing style, which often featured insult humor and outlandish claims. Hilton's acerbic candor drew the ire of celebrities, and in some cases, landed him in legal trouble.
"I am not some safe, cookie-cutter, queer-eye-for-the-straight-guy homo," Hilton told the Los Angeles Times in a 2006 interview. "I am dangerous. I am going to push the envelope. I am going to be who I am: a loud, gay Latino that has opinions and in my own way, subserviently, I am trying to make the world a better place."
Perez Hilton statement released by family
"Many of you have reached out with concern for Perez, and we are incredibly grateful for the overwhelming outpouring of love, support and prayers," Hilton's family wrote on Wednesday, Aug. 5. "We can confirm that Perez is receiving medical care, and our family's focus right now is on his well-being."
The family requested privacy and added, "If and when we are able to share any updates, we will do so with everyone as soon as we can."
Britney Spears: Hilton targets pop star amid personal troubles
In the early years of his blog, Hilton criticized pop princess Britney Spears amid the singer's highly publicized personal struggles. The blogger reportedly blasted Spears as an "unfit mother" in 2007 after an incident in which she struck a car with an umbrella.
Following the overdose death of actor Heath Ledger in 2008, Hilton made custom T-shirts with the message, "Why couldn't it be Britney?," according to the New York Post.
Hilton later expressed regret over his harsh stance on Spears in a 2021 interview with Sky News.
"I know that I did not express myself as well as I could have," Hilton told the British outlet. "I didn't lead with empathy and compassion, which thankfully it seems like most people now are understanding the severity of Britney's situation. But I absolutely apologize and carry deep shame and regret."
Legal troubles: Perez Hilton named in lawsuits involving Britney Spears, Jennifer Aniston, more
Over the years, Hilton has been embroiled in several high-profile lawsuits over his use of sensitive celebrity content.
Hilton was included in actor Colin Farrell's 2005 sex tape lawsuit after the blogger allegedly posted a link to the footage of Farrell and then-girlfriend Nicole Narain.
In 2007, Hilton was sued by Zomba Label Group for copyright infringement after he allegedly posted several unauthorized recordings by Britney Spears. The lawsuit was settled the following year.
The blogger was also the subject of a 2007 defamation lawsuit from DJ Samantha Ronson, who was romantically linked to actress Lindsay Lohan at the time. Ronson sued after Hilton shared a report claiming that Ronson had planted cocaine in Lohan's car and arranged for the actress to be photographed while under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Hilton was later awarded $85,000 by the court after the original website behind the report settled the case with Ronson.
That same year, Hilton was sued by Universal City Studios Productions for posting a nude photo of actress Jennifer Aniston, which was taken from unreleased footage of her film "The Break-Up."
Outing LGBTQ celebrities
Hilton, who is gay, became notorious for openly speculating about the sexuality of LGBTQ celebrities.
Some of the stars Hilton targeted included Lance Bass of NSYNC, Neil Patrick Harris and Matt Bomer.
"In American culture, a lot of people still think that being gay is bad and that being gay will hurt your career. I generally don't think that," he told the Los Angeles Times in a 2006 interview. "I am never going to take ownership of someone's coming out – that's their moment and their decision. I will say that I may be leading the conversation, and I might grease the wheel and make it easier for them."
However, the blogger later said he regretted his button-pushing commentary in his 2020 memoir "TMI: My Life in Scandal."
Altercations: Hilton gets into fight with Black Eyed Peas manager
Hilton alleged in a 2009 video blog that he was assaulted by Black Eyed Peas manager Polo Molina following a dispute with Peas rapper Will.i.am at the MuchMusic Video Awards after-party.
The blogger claimed he was struck in the eye by Molina. Hilton also allegedly called Will.i.am a homophobic slur during the incident, which was allegedly prompted by derogatory remarks Hilton had made about the Black Eyed Peas and Will.i.am's bandmate Fergie.
Hilton later filed a lawsuit against Molina to cover medical costs from the altercation, as well as compensate him for the physical and emotional distress that he suffered.
Perez Hilton disputes Michael Jackson's death
Shortly following the 2009 death of singer Michael Jackson, Hilton wrote an article disputing that the King of Pop had gone into cardiac arrest, calling the news a publicity stunt.
The blogger later deleted his post after realizing Jackson had in fact died.
Miley Cyrus criticizes Perez Hilton after he shared alleged nude photo of underage singer
In 2010, Hilton shared a link to a photo of actress and singer Miley Cyrus on Twitter. The photo was allegedly a nude close-up shot of the "Hannah Montana" star, who was 17 at the time.
After some accused the blogger of sharing child pornography, Hilton said the nudity scandal was "fake" and that Cyrus was clothed in the photo.
Cyrus slammed Hilton in a subsequent interview with Ryan Seacrest and denied she was the person shown in the nude photo. "That's like, some idiot being an idiot – that's not me, you know what I'm saying?" the singer said, per The Hollywood Reporter.
Lady Gaga accuses Hilton of stalking
In 2013, pop star Lady Gaga accused Hilton on social media of mocking her hip injury, which forced her to cancel several performances on her Born This Way Ball tour.
"Still have the text Perez sent me of me in a wheelchair [with] the words KARMA written across [and] Madonna pointing a gun at me. Day of my accident," Gaga wrote on Twitter.
Gaga later alleged Hilton was stalking her after a Twitter user claimed the blogger had been spotted in the singer's New York City apartment building. Hilton refuted the allegation in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, saying, "I am a critic and not a stalker."
Alec Baldwin daughter Ireland Baldwin speaks out after 'years' of Perez Hilton criticism
Ireland Baldwin addressed Hilton's health news in a candid post on her Instagram stories Wednesday, Aug. 5. Baldwin, the daughter of Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger, also opened up about her fraught history with the celebrity blogger.
"Perez Hilton has publicly humiliated my family for years, sexualized me from a young age, commented on my weight and body (as a child) ... and has always been a despicable human being," Baldwin, 30, wrote. "But his children deserve better and a healthy father, and I am so sad for all of them. I hope he gets the help he needs and heals."
Contributing: Anthony Robledo and Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is Perez Hilton? The blogger's controversial career
