Content warning: This article discusses self-harm.
Perez Hilton is no longer on TikTok after the platform flagged a concerning livestream and contacted law enforcement. The company said the broadcast violated its rules, while authorities later confirmed that Hilton received medical attention. TikTok acknowledged that a moderation error delayed the initial removal. However, it said the platform quickly ended later broadcasts and permanently banned Hilton’s account.
Perez Hilton’s livestream raised enough concern for TikTok to alert law enforcement and take action
TikTok told TMZ that its automated systems flagged Hilton’s Aug. 4 livestream within minutes and sent it to a U.S. moderation team for review. A company spokesperson said that a moderator error delayed the removal.
The platform disputed online claims that the original broadcast remained active for about 30 minutes. TikTok said it lasted roughly half that time. According to the company, Hilton attempted several additional livestreams, but moderators ended each one within about 90 seconds before banning his account.
TikTok also said it “proactively alerted law enforcement” so Hilton could receive support. The company said the broadcast and subsequent streams violated its community rules on suicide and self-harm content.
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said it received numerous calls from viewers who were concerned after Hilton appeared to engage in self-harm during the livestream. Deputies went to his Florida home and determined that he was alone inside, a spokesperson told People.
Authorities said officers used de-escalation and crisis intervention techniques rather than immediately entering the home. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue later transported Hilton to a local hospital for medical attention. The sheriff’s Crisis Response Unit and licensed mental health professionals also provided resources to his family.
Hilton’s representatives said they had been unable to reach him directly during the initial response. They emphasized that their priority was his health and his family’s well-being and asked the public to respect his privacy.
Attorney Bryan Freedman, Hilton’s longtime friend and former lawyer, later said the situation deserved “kindness and compassion.” Hilton had not issued a public statement about the livestream or the TikTok ban as of publication.
The incident comes as other prominent streamers have discussed the pressure of constant online broadcasting. IShowSpeed recently spoke about feeling alone during a prolonged stream, while Kai Cenat said he stepped back from Twitch while addressing his mental health.
The platform’s response now faces scrutiny because of the acknowledged moderation delay. TikTok maintains that its systems detected the broadcast quickly, alerted authorities and stopped the later streams before permanently removing Hilton’s account.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.
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