‘Disturbing’: TikTok faces criticism after Perez Hilton livestreams self-harm

Many online questioned how long the blogger’s broadcast remained up on the app and shared mental health resources

Social media users have criticized TikTok after the celebrity blogger Perez Hilton livestreamed himself self-harming on the platform, prompting many to question how long the broadcast remained live and others to share mental health resources and encourage those in need to seek help.

On Tuesday night, Hilton, 48, livestreamed himself engaging in self-harm as viewers pleaded for him to stop. Shortly after, local authorities responded to his home in Miami, Florida, where he was transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.

In the aftermath, social media users and influencers have criticized TikTok for hosting the live stream. Instagram user Gina Luciano said: “I find it disgusting and disturbing that TikTok allowed that livestream to go on for as long as it did. It just goes to show you that that app promotes bullying.”

Luciano continued: “Don’t watch that video, don’t watch any clippings of that live stream. It’s not content. It’s not entertainment. It’s a cry for help.”

Dana Bowling, another Instagram user said: “Can we file a class action suit against TikTok for exposing adults and teens to that trauma…? No one should be ok with this.”

Although several users claimed the live stream lasted more than 30 minutes, a TikTok US spokesperson disputed those reports, saying the broadcast was approximately half that length. The spokesperson said TikTok’s automated moderation systems flagged the live stream within minutes and referred it to the platform’s US moderation team for review.

Several subsequent live streams were removed within 90 seconds and Hilton’s account was ultimately banned, the spokesperson added.

The company said it also alerted local law enforcement officials and that the live stream violated its community guidelines, which prohibit content depicting or promoting suicide or self-harm.

Despite TikTok’s removal of the live stream, screen recordings of the footage have since widely circulated across other platforms including X and Instagram, in turn prompting users to advise others to turn off video autoplays and mute mentions of Hilton.

“Assume every Trending Topic link with his name on it will lead you to the video. Don’t click on the link. The video is everywhere right now. To be extra sure, turn video autoplay off (it’s in Settings) and mute the phrase ‘Perez Hilton,’” one person said on Bluesky.

Another person similarly said: “PLEASE mute ‘Perez Hilton’ (as a term) if images of self harm, a person in crisis… are bad for you. Please.”

Other users have encouraged those struggling with mental health issues to seek support. TV personality and influencer Tefi Pessoa wrote on her Instagram story: “If Perez Hilton’s live triggered you in any way, please call 988. There is help, I promise. I love you.”

The Guardian reached out to X for comment. Meta declined to comment.

Many users also commented directly on Hilton’s Instagram posts to express their concern, with one writing: “A lot of people care and are concerned for you. Please take care of yourself Perez. Please know that you are loved.”

Someone else said: “Perez I hope you are stabilized and doing alright now, that video has us all concerned. Please heal up.”

On Wednesday afternoon, Hilton’s team and family released a statement confirming that Hilton is receiving medical care.

“Many of you have reached out with concern for Perez, and we are incredibly grateful for the overwhelming outpouring of love, support, and prayers. We can confirm that Perez is receiving medical care, and our family’s focus right now is on his well-being. We kindly ask that you respect Perez’s privacy, as well as the privacy of his family, during this difficult time,” the statement said.

“If and when we are able to share any updates, we will do so with everyone as soon as we can. Thank you for your compassion, understanding, and continued support,” it added.

Hilton, whose real name is Mario Lavandeira, rose to fame in the early 2000s when he started PerezHilton.com, a celebrity gossip blog with aggressive commentary that many, including celebrities, likened to online bullying.

Born in Miami to Cuban parents, Hilton graduated from New York University before working in a variety of roles, including a brief stint as an actor and later as a publicist, before finding success as a celebrity blogger under a moniker inspired by Paris Hilton.

Speaking to the Guardian in 2014, Hilton described himself as being “sassy without being nasty”.

In his 2021 memoir, the father of three reflected on his earlier work, writing: “I have a ton of regrets, particularly because I now see that I never needed to be so mean or cruel.”

Earlier this year, Hilton revealed that he underwent “emergency surgery” for deep vein thrombosis after doctors discovered the condition following a three-week hospitalization due to sepsis.

Reflecting on the experience, Hilton said God “presented himself to me”, adding: “I’ve been crying but happy tears … because this is just …so crazy. I’ve been reading the Bible, and so much of what is said here I had already been thinking of. It’s just overwhelming in the best, most beautiful way.”

In the US, you can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org