Perez Hilton Shares Reason Behind 21-Day Hospital Stay

by

Perez Hilton is getting candid about a scary situation.

Hey everyone, I wanted to share something personal. I recently spent three weeks in the hospital, and it was a really tough experience. I’m sharing my story because I truly hope you can learn from what happened to me – I want to help you avoid making the same mistake I did. It’s a reminder that taking care of yourself is so important.

Perez recently shared a video on YouTube explaining that a foolish mistake led to a 21-day hospital stay. He described the experience as both the worst and best thing that has ever happened to him.

The 48-year-old, whose full name is Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr., said he’d been sick with the flu for about a week and started taking medicine to recover.

“However—big but—I didn’t take any of my medication with food,” Perez added. “I never have.”

The medications caused severe stomach and intestinal problems for him. After just one week of taking them without food, he developed an ulcer, a hole in his stomach, and a serious infection, all of which required immediate hospitalization due to intense pain.

Perez remembers the initial days being filled with discomfort and endless testing, as doctors struggled to locate the source of the perforation.

After five days, I had laparoscopic surgery—a minimally invasive procedure where doctors make small incisions instead of one large cut, he explained.

The author of Boy With Pink Hair described how his surgeon used cameras to carefully examine his internal organs, searching for the source of a leak. After thoroughly checking everything, the surgeon cleaned him to address a significant infection.

His lungs also had to be drained.

Perez explained that his health deteriorated significantly, and he even needed heart medication because his heartbeat became erratic.

During his time in the hospital, he also caught another infection, which he said is a frequent occurrence. It took two weeks before he could finally eat regular food, and he stressed how much the illness had weakened him.

Perez described a long and difficult recovery. He was sick for two weeks, then spent another week regaining his strength before being discharged. He said the final week felt especially tough, as he’d already been hospitalized for two weeks at that point.

Now that he’s back home, Perez shared that he’ll continue getting medication through an IV line in his arm for the next 10 days. This method works better than taking pills.

The best part of being home was definitely seeing his kids again – Mario, who’s 13, Mia, 10, and Mayte, 8.

He remembered coming home to a huge, emotional group hug with his children, who had come to visit. Everyone was crying—they’d been so worried about him.

Although his hospital stay was very challenging, it’s motivated Perez to prioritize his health, get enough sleep, and spend more quality time with his family.

Okay, seriously, you guys HAVE to listen to him. He’s SO right! He was telling us, and I’m telling you now, PLEASE take your meds with food! He learned the hard way – 21 days in the hospital! He doesn’t want that for any of us, and honestly, neither do I. Just… food first, okay? It’s so important, and he’s sharing this so we don’t make the same mistake. I’m just worried about everyone and want you all to be okay!

For more stars who have experienced their own health scares, keep reading. 

Nikki Bella, known from Total Bellas, shared that one of her breast implants moved after being hit during an elbow slam by wrestler Piper Niven in a match that took place in July 2025.

She reassured her sister, Bella Garcia, saying they would get the issue resolved eventually. She explained to the doctor that as soon as she finished her current commitment, she’d return to address the problem and ensure everything looked its best, because she anticipated future use and didn’t want it to appear neglected.

Lupita Nyong’o, known for her role in 12 Years a Slave, received a diagnosis of uterine fibroids—benign growths in or around the uterus—in 2014, the year she won an Academy Award for her performance in the film.

I was so moved when she finally shared her story in 2025. She wrote on Instagram about how she’d been quietly struggling with this for over ten years, and it really resonated with me. It took incredible courage to finally speak out after all that time.

She explained that growing up, many girls are taught to accept period pain as a normal part of being female. This often leads to women suffering in silence with something that impacts so many of us.

 

In July 2025, the actress from Daisy Jones & The Six revealed she was hospitalized for a hernia. This happened because she’d been wearing pants that were too tight, which caused a gap to form in her abdominal muscles.

Oh my gosh, Suki just posted on X – she never posts anymore! And it was…it was about me! She quoted something I said, and then…then she confessed she’s been suffering because of the pants I wore six months ago! Apparently, they were so tight they gave her a hernia and she’s been too afraid to tell me! A hernia! Because of me! I can’t believe she’s finally letting me know…it’s just…everything!

The former star of Beverly Hills, 90210 shared in April 2025 that he was recovering from surgery to fix a nearly burst appendix.

Brian shared in an Instagram video that he recently experienced stomach pain which led him to the emergency room. He explained that his appendix had a hole in it – it hadn’t fully burst, but was very close to doing so.

He added, “I’m on the road to recovery. It’s not an easy process. This is my first major surgery.”

During a soccer game against Seattle Reign on September 14th at Lumen Field in Seattle, a midfielder for Racing Louisville collapsed after only a few minutes of play.

According to Reuters, the U.S. Women’s National Team player sat down on the field with a teammate for support, and then collapsed shortly after, prompting trainers to come and evaluate her.

After receiving initial medical attention on the field, Savannah was taken to a nearby hospital for more tests, according to a statement from the National Women’s Soccer League. They reported that she is currently in stable condition and is alert.

Adam Devine revealed that injuries from being hit by a cement truck at age 11 still cause him problems now.

“It’s been a really difficult time,” Devine shared on the In Depth With Graham Bensinger podcast in 2025. “I’ve been experiencing spasms all over my body, and doctors recently told me I was facing a life-threatening situation—I was told I might not have much time left.”

He explained that his pain is intermittent, saying, “My body has a few quirks and isn’t quite working as it should.”

A former contestant on The Bachelor went to the hospital in extreme pain, literally crawling because his back hurt so badly. The pain flared up during a road trip with a friend while they were traveling in an RV.

I was sharing on my podcast recently how strange my body feels. I still have tingling sensations all the way down to my toes, which is really odd. To give you some context, just a few weeks ago I was comfortably squatting almost 300 pounds. Now? I can barely stand on one foot, let alone do a squat. It’s a really unsettling feeling, honestly – it feels like I’ve had a stroke or something. It’s been a humbling reminder of how quickly things can change.

But with the help of a back specialist and some steroids, he added, “We’re on the mend.”

Gina Kirschenheiter, from The Real Housewives of Orange County, revealed that her ex-husband, Matt Kirschenheiter, had a heart attack in March 2025, but he is now recovering.

In March 2025, the actor from 30 Rock experienced a medical issue at a New York Knicks game and had to be taken out of Madison Square Garden in a wheelchair.

The comedian later posted on social media to explain he’d actually been sick with food poisoning, but was starting to feel better.

In February 2025, the former Even Stevens star revealed she was shot in the face during a birthday celebration for her husband, Brendan Rooney. They were on a trip to go clay pigeon shooting when the incident occurred.

In an Instagram post, she explained that she was accidentally shot in the face by someone at a party who fired a weapon unsafely. Thankfully, @thebrendanrooney quickly helped, checked her condition, and took her to the hospital. She was hit five times, and one bullet came dangerously close to her right eye – less than an inch away.

The Kim Possible actress explained that a small piece of something got stuck behind her eye, and doctors believe it’s too dangerous to remove with surgery right now. She’s being closely monitored by doctors, but currently, her vision is normal.

The actress expressed immense gratitude for surviving a frightening experience. She shared her deep love for her daughters, husband, family, and friends, emphasizing how quickly life can change. She urged everyone to cherish their loved ones and hug them whenever possible, as life is precious and unpredictable.

Amy Schumer is grateful for the internet, even though it can be harsh, because it helped her discover a health issue. After noticing she looked “puffier” and facing criticism online, doctors began commenting on interviews, suggesting she might have Cushing syndrome, a condition often linked to high cortisol levels or steroid injections. This prompted Schumer to realize she’d received steroid injections following a breast reduction and C-section. She later learned she had a form of Cushing syndrome that would resolve on its own, and she’s relieved to be healthy. As she shared in a newsletter, receiving this diagnosis and knowing she’d recover was wonderful news.

During a game in December 2024, an AHL player was accidentally cut in the face by another player’s skate and needed 25 stitches to close the wound. After his son made a full recovery, New Jersey Devils General Manager Tom Fitzgerald shared with ESPN how relieved they were, saying, “We feel very lucky, and I wouldn’t want any parent to go through that.”

In March 2022, Hailey Bieber experienced a frightening health scare while having breakfast with her husband, Justin Bieber. She suddenly developed stroke-like symptoms, initially unable to respond when Justin asked if she was okay. She then realized she couldn’t speak and the right side of her face began to droop.

Although the symptoms eventually passed, Hailey went to the hospital and tests revealed she’d had a small blood clot travel to her brain, which doctors identified as a TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack).

Further investigation at UCLA discovered Hailey had a hole in her heart called a patent foramen ovale (PFO). This hole allowed the blood clot to reach her brain, causing the TIA.

Hailey has since undergone a successful procedure to close the PFO and is now doing well.

The same year Hailey faced a health issue, Justin also experienced one. In June 2022, he revealed he had been diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, a condition that caused temporary paralysis on one side of his face. This forced him to cancel the remaining dates of his Justice World Tour.

In a video posted to Instagram, Justin explained the virus affected nerves in his ear and face, preventing him from blinking, smiling, or moving his nostril on the affected side. He also shared that it had become increasingly difficult to eat.

Fortunately, the paralysis eventually went away. Hailey shared on Good Morning America that Justin was recovering well, calling the situation scary and random, but expressing gratitude that he was going to be okay.

Jamie Foxx recently shared details about the health scare he experienced in April 2023, which he had initially kept private. He explained that while in Atlanta, he suffered a severe headache and asked for aspirin, but then lost consciousness. He doesn’t remember the next twenty days.

Initially, a doctor gave him a cortisone shot and sent him home, but his sister, Deidra Dixon, was worried and took him to the hospital. Doctors discovered he had a brain bleed that caused a stroke.

After surgery, twenty days passed before he woke up on May 4th. He was in a wheelchair and unable to walk, so he went to Chicago for rehabilitation and therapy.

Foxx expressed his gratitude for the prayers he received, saying he needed them all to get through the ordeal.

Let me tell you, filming this competition show was intense! During the very first challenge, while I was running a mile, I actually collapsed. It felt like I completely went down – honestly, it felt like I ‘died’ for a moment. It was scary, but thankfully, the medical team was right there.

She shared on the show Fit for TV: The Reality of The Biggest Loser that her memory of the event was fragmented. She recalled hearing a helicopter, feeling like she was floating, and then seeing her grandfather. After that, everything went dark, but she then experienced a bright light. It was then she realized she had died that day.

She explained that her organs were failing. She hadn’t known she had rhabdomyolysis, a condition where the body essentially begins to shut down.

Emilia Clarke, known for her role in Game of Thrones, revealed a harrowing health battle in a 2019 essay for The New Yorker titled “A Battle for My Life.” While filming the series, she experienced a sudden, severe headache while at the gym. She described collapsing and being violently ill, realizing something was seriously wrong with her brain.

A hospital scan quickly revealed a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), a life-threatening stroke caused by bleeding around the brain. She had suffered an aneurysm, a rupture in an artery. Emilia underwent immediate surgery to repair it, but the pain was excruciating. During her recovery, she experienced aphasia, making it difficult to speak, and often found herself mumbling incoherently.

Though the aphasia eventually passed and she was discharged from the hospital after a month, a 2013 scan revealed the aneurysm had doubled in size, requiring a second surgery. This procedure initially failed, causing a massive bleed and putting her life at risk. Doctors had to perform a more invasive surgery, accessing her brain directly through her skull.

Fortunately, Emilia reports she has now made a full recovery and is at 100%.

Cori Broadus, Snoop Dogg’s daughter, recently shared how much she appreciates her family’s support after experiencing a stroke in January 2024. She immediately reached out to them, sending a text and photo, and they quickly came to her aid, as she told Will Marfuggi of TopMob News in December 2024. While she could have been discharged after the stroke, existing health issues – including lupus and kidney problems – required a longer hospital stay. Cori is now recovering well. She says she’s feeling great and has been working to regain some motor skills, but is otherwise doing fine.

I’ve always admired Shailene Woodley, and I was really touched by what she shared recently. She talked about how tough her early twenties were, health-wise. She explained that she actually lost some of her hearing and couldn’t even walk for more than five minutes without needing to rest for hours. Everything she ate caused her stomach pain, and she was going back and forth between doctors who couldn’t quite figure things out.

Because she comes from a holistic background and studies herbalism, she decided to take a multi-faceted approach, working with both traditional doctors and alternative healers. It was a ten-year journey, and she shared how the physical discomfort led to a lot of anxiety around food and even body dysmorphia – a real struggle with feeling comfortable in her own skin.

Thankfully, she’s in a much better place now. She said the issues eventually resolved themselves, and she’s very healthy and happy, and I’m so glad to hear it. It’s inspiring to see her openness about such a difficult time and her commitment to healing both physically and mentally.

Read More

2026-03-23 22:22