Katie Price has voiced her fears for Perez Hilton following his hospitalisation for self-harming during a TikTok livestream. The US celebrity blogger sparked concern on Tuesday when viewers alerted emergency services, who attended his Miami home and used crisis intervention techniques.
Hilton, whose real name is Mario Lavandeira, was taken to hospital for medical evaluation. His family later thanked the public for their 'overwhelming outpouring of love, support, and prayers' as they focus on his recovery.
Price's Reaction
In the aftermath, several celebrities have spoken out, with Price vowing to 'reach out' to him, having been friends with the media personality for years. Speaking to The Sun, Price said: 'I am really concerned for Perez and his mental health. It's so sad to see him like this. I'm shocked by what has happened. I've always liked Perez.'
Price, who met Hilton in Los Angeles in 2008 while filming her reality show with then-husband Peter Andre, added: 'I've spoken to him so much over the years, including about surrogacy.' She continued: 'I will reach out to him and his family.'
Shared Experiences
Price likened her public persona to Hilton's, noting: 'I'm a celebrity like him – controversial. He's not everyone's cup of tea, but then again, neither am I.' Price has been open about her own mental health struggles, including severe depression, breakdowns in 2018 and 2021, PTSD, and a suicide attempt. She has stayed at The Priory and had therapy to understand her conditions.
Hilton, who rose to fame in the 2000s with his gossip website, previously spoke highly of Price after their first meeting, writing: 'They were good fun. We had a lovely time chatting with Jordan and Peter. Their self-deprecating humour is definitely appealing.'
Family Update
Hilton's family issued an update via his blog, stating he is 'able to communicate' amid the 'incredibly difficult' time. They added: 'This has been incredibly difficult and emotional for us, made even harder because very little information has been made available to our family. While we continue to wait for further updates, we remain hopeful.'
The family concluded: 'We respectfully ask for your continued prayers, understanding, and grace as Perez continues to recover. For now, we're taking things one step at a time and keeping our focus where it belongs, on Perez and his recovery.'
TikTok's Response
TikTok issued a statement after being criticised for allowing Hilton's graphic stream to remain live for 15 minutes. The company told Deadline that a 'moderator error' caused a delay in taking down the video. Hilton's account has been suspended.
