Perez Hilton, 48, gained notoriety for his harsh critiques of celebrities, often targeting their personal vulnerabilities and appearances. Host Sean Hannity recently criticized Hilton for his past actions, which Hilton now regrets and has distanced himself from. Hilton explained his change in approach, stating, “I realized what I was doing was wrong. I realized I could still be funny, but I didn’t have to be so cheap, and I didn’t have to be so cruel. It was cruel. It’s something that I carry with me. It’s like my scarlet letter, and it’s very heavy baggage.”
Hilton acknowledged making amends with some people he hurt, including Neil Patrick Harris, whom he outed as gay in 2006. At that time, Hilton admits he was on a “witch hunt” to find men Harris had dated. “I made amends with him, and he asked me to write something in his memoir. So I wrote a little something in there, and he was very, very gracious,” Hilton said. He also admitted that many in the LGBTQ+ community hold negative views of him, a sentiment shared by others whom he criticized, particularly women in entertainment whom he often mocked regarding their weight and gave unflattering nicknames.
Not everyone has been forgiving. Hilton recounted a chance meeting with Jennifer Aniston in a parking garage in Los Angeles, where he described her as a “soap opera character.” Aniston reportedly responded, “No, I’m a real person.” Hilton reflects on his past behavior as “very childish,” although he maintains “some of it was funny.”
Hilton’s controversial history has made it challenging for the public to empathize following a recent mental health crisis. During a livestream on a Tuesday night, Hilton appeared covered in blood, allegedly having inflicted self-harm while making disturbing remarks while completely naked. This prompted several 911 calls, leading to a swift police response.
Dispatchers labeled the incident as a “suicide attempt,” and authorities arrived at Hilton’s residence. To prevent a “suicide-by-cop” situation, officers used de-escalation strategies. Eventually, they communicated with Hilton and ensured he was transported to a hospital for care.
Hilton’s family released a statement expressing gratitude for the concern shown by many. “Many of you have reached out with concern for Perez, and we are incredibly grateful for the overwhelming outpouring of love, support, and prayers,” they stated. “We can confirm that Perez is receiving medical care, and our family’s focus right now is on his well-being,” the statement continued. “We kindly ask that you respect Perez’s privacy, as well as the privacy of his family, during this difficult time. 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.”
