Perez Hilton‘s self-harming TikTok livestream horrified viewers, prompting some to contact police and report the content.
Despite the content going against the platform’s community guidelines, the stream was not immediately removed and persisted for about 15 to 20 minutes.
A U.S. spokesperson for the digital platform told Deadline that a “moderator error” caused a delay in shutting down the livestream after the automated moderation systems flagged it for removal within minutes of the stream starting.
The blogger, whose real name is Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr., appeared on a TikTok livestream naked and covered in a red fluid, which looked like blood. He was also wielding a knife, apparently cutting himself. At one point in the stream, the social media personality co-hosted with several other streamers who pleaded with him to stop harming himself and end his stream.
According to TikTok, law enforcement was alerted to the situation and closed several streams within 90 seconds, resulting in an account ban after the social media personality violated TikTok’s Community Guidelines.
Perez Hilton was reportedly taken to a hospital for observation, and a post on his blog provided a health update stating, “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 update noted that the blogger was “receiving medical care” and his family’s focus was his well-being, adding, “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.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with difficult life circumstances or uncomfortable thoughts and emotions, call or text 988 to reach the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
