Who is Perez Hilton? 6 things to know about the celebrity blogger

Cuban-American celebrity blogger Perez Hilton recently made headlines following an alarming TikTok livestream.

According to a People report on Wednesday (Philippine time), the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office (MDSO) said that deputies were dispatched to Hilton's residence in Florida after receiving multiple calls from concerned social media users who witnessed the livestream.

He was then transported to a nearby hospital for medical evaluation and treatment.

But long before becoming a trending topic, Hilton built his career as one of the internet's most recognizable and controversial entertainment personalities.

Here are six things to know about him.

1. He is one of the internet's most famous celebrity bloggers

Born Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr., Hilton rose to prominence as a celebrity gossip blogger in the 2000s. A Cuban American and Miami native, he has become one of the most recognizable figures in online entertainment news.

2. He founded PerezHilton.com in 2004

Hilton launched PerezHilton.com in 2004, originally under the name PageSixSixSix.com. The website quickly became one of the internet's most popular celebrity gossip destinations, reportedly attracting hundreds of millions of monthly page views at its peak. He remains the editor-in-chief and owner.

According to the BBC, the pseudonym "Perez Hilton" was a play on the name of Paris Hilton, who was among the world's most famous celebrities when he launched his gossip blog.

3. Forbes recognized him as a top web celebrity

His influence during the early days of digital media earned him widespread recognition. Forbes named him the No. 1 Web Celebrity for three consecutive years: 2007, 2008, and 2009.

He was also recognized by “People en Español” as one of the 15 most influential Hispanics in the United States and was named Hispanic of the Year by “Hispanic Magazine” in 2009.

4. He expanded into music and publishing

Beyond blogging, Hilton ventured into the music industry by launching Perezious Music, a record label that helped introduce artists including Slimmy, Travis Garland, and Semi Precious Weapons.

He has also authored several books, including “Perez Hilton's Red Carpet Suicide" and "Perez Hilton's True Bloggywood Stories,” both released in 2009, and his 2020 memoir, “TMI: My Life in Scandal.”

5. He is a podcast host

Hilton co-hosts “The Perez Hilton Podcast” with Chris Booker, where they discuss celebrity news, pop culture, and entertainment industry developments.

6. He is a father of three

Away from the spotlight, Hilton is a proud gay single dad to three children and often shares bonding moments with his kids on Instagram.

—CDC, GMA News