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Perez Hilton's family is speaking out after an alarming livestream prompted fans to call police.
The longtime celebrity blogger, 48, who was rushed to the hospital after the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office received "multiple calls" about a man "livestreaming acts of self-harm on social media," is "receiving medical care," his family said in a statement on his website.
"Many of you have reached out with concern for Perez, and we are incredibly grateful for the overwhelming outpouring of love, support, and prayers," the 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."
The sheriff's office previously confirmed to USA TODAY Aug. 4 that Hilton was "safely recovered and transported" to a local hospital and received medical attention after the incident. In an unverified video circulated online, the podcaster was seen nude, covered in what appeared to be blood and exhibiting signs of distress while holding a sharp item.
The office added it was monitoring the situation and "providing the needed support to his family."
In March, Hilton was hospitalized for several weeks after he developed an ulcer, perforation and sepsis and underwent laparoscopic surgery from taking medication on an empty stomach.
In June, the blogger returned to his Miami hometown with his mother and three children, Mario Armando Lavandeira III, 13, Mia Alma, 11, and Mayte Amor, 8, all of whom he fathered through surrogacy.
Who is Perez Hilton?
Born Mario Lavandeira Jr., Hilton is known for his eponymous celebrity gossip website, which reached a massive audience after its 2004 launch. He built a controversial reputation for his bold opinions on the interpersonal dynamics of the biggest stars and has faced backlash from celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Miley Cyrus, Khloe Kardashian, Lady Gaga and more. His antagonism, and popularity, have both waned over the years.
In a 2012 interview with The New York Times, Hilton appeared to express regret about the nature of his blog, saying, "What's important for me is not being liked, but it is that people think I am no longer toxic to the world.
"I'm aware of the fact there are going to be a lot of people with lingering resentment and a lot of skeptics," he told the outlet. "And that's okay because I am not pretending to be perfect."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Perez Hilton's family breaks silence after shocking livestream, hospitalization
