Perez Hilton Enters Treatment Program After Hospitalization as Family Shuts Down False Reports

Perez Hilton, the celebrity blogger whose real name is Mario Lavandeira, has entered a residential treatment program focused on mental health and recovery, according to his family. The news comes after he spent weeks in the hospital dealing with physical injuries tied to an August 4 livestream that worried viewers enough to call police. His family says he’s expected to remain in treatment for several more weeks, possibly longer.

Since the hospitalization, rumors have been flying online, and his family is pushing back on them directly. Reports claiming he lost ten years of memory, believes it’s 2016, has stitches, or asked for a certain pop star are all false, according to the family. They say he is lucid and communicating clearly. While in treatment, he has no phone or laptop access and only limited contact with family and friends. His three children are safe and in the care of their grandmother.

His family also addressed something darker: comments from people online who said they wished he had succeeded. In their statement, they stressed that whatever anyone thinks of the name Perez Hilton, there’s a real person behind it who reached a point of deep struggle and is now getting help. They described him as surrounded by people who want to see him healthy and happy again. If someone in your life is struggling, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available by call or text. How do you think we should talk about public figures who are going through a crisis?