Perez Hilton has been one of the most recognizable — and controversial — figures in celebrity media for more than two decades. The blogger rose to fame in the early 2000s for his unfiltered descriptions and teases of Hollywood stars through his website, PerezHilton.com, which helped shape the celebrity gossip landscape during the height of the blogging era.
Below, Hollywood Life has rounded up five things to know about Perez, from his career to his personal life.
Perez Hilton’s Real Name Is Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr.
Perez was born with the name Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr. on March 23, 1978, in Miami, Florida. He attended New York University, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in drama in 2000 before pursuing a career in entertainment media.
Perez Is Famous for His Celebrity Gossip Blog
Perez launched his blog, PerezHilton.com, in 2004. The site quickly exploded in popularity thanks to its celebrity news, rumors and deeply opinionated commentary. During the late 2000s, PerezHilton.com became one of the internet’s most-visited entertainment websites, though the platform was home to some of the most cruel jokes and mockery about public figures.
He Is Also a TV Personality & Published Author
Beyond blogging, Hilton expanded into television and publishing. Over the years, he has appeared on reality competition shows including Celebrity Big Brother, Worst Cooks in America and Celebrity Rap Superstar. He has also published multiple books, including Perez Hilton’s Red Carpet Suicide, Perez Hilton’s True Bloggywood Stories, The Boy With the Pink Hair and his 2020 memoir, TMI: My Life in Scandal.
Perez’s Career Has Been Marred by Controversy
Perez became one of Hollywood’s most polarizing media personalities for his often harsh coverage of celebrities. He faced criticism over cyberbullying, publishing invasive paparazzi photos and attempting to out celebrities before they publicly discussed their sexuality. In later years, Hilton acknowledged many of his past actions and said he regretted aspects of his early blogging style, stating that he has worked to change both personally and professionally.
He Is a Father of Three Children
Outside of his career, Hilton is a father to three children: Mario, Mia and Mayte. He said in a previous Los Angeles Times interview that he planned to become a single dad since “boyfriends and husbands may come and go, but kids are forever.”
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