Jared Padalecki is walking back his public support of Perez Hilton amid his recent hospitalization after receiving criticism online.
“I didn’t know. It’s been brought to my attention,” Padalecki, 44, wrote via X on Sunday, August 9. “I’m sorry ❤️.”
Hours earlier, the Supernatural alum uploaded a social media message “wishing [Hilton] well” after the celebrity blogger, 48, shared a disturbing livestream in which he engaged in apparent acts of self-harm, prompting authorities to respond to his Miami home.
Hilton was admitted to a local hospital on Tuesday, August 4, authorities received multiple 911 calls from fans and family members concerned about the influencer’s wellbeing. He was hospitalized and placed on a 72-hour emergency mental health evaluation as he recovers and seeks treatment — including surgery — for his injuries.
Social media users subsequently criticized Padalecki for allegedly supporting Hilton, given the blogger’s past bullying and targeting of various celebrities and their families. Padalecki quietly deleted his message amid the backlash.
“To give more detail re: my post wishing someone well. I had ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA about his past,” the actor tweeted in a follow-up message shared on Sunday. “I had heard of him. Obviously. I had heard that he hadn’t exactly ‘been kind’ to me in the past. So, my thought is always to give grace and forgiveness to those who may have tried to ‘harm’ you … in my experience, it usually works out better than holding a grudge or wishing punishment on someone else.”
He continued, “That having been said, I TRULY didn’t know ANYTHING about the extent to what he has done. That’s my bad. On my life, I have never in my life, not once, looked him up or gone to one of his sites. I simply thought he was a ‘tabloid’ type of sensationalist journalist.”
Padalecki further stressed that he doesn’t “stand for” or support any of Hilton’s past actions.
“Full stop. I’m sorry if my words caused any harm,” he stated. “And, I hope you ALL are well out there, and taking care of yourselves.”
Hilton has not publicly addressed his hospitalization or disturbing social media video, with his family offering multiple updates on his condition in the interim.
“We want to confirm that Perez remains hospitalized under Florida’s Baker Act,” a statement shared Saturday, August 8, via Hilton’s website read. “His communication has been extremely limited and confined to immediate family, medical providers,and others directly involved in his care.”
Hilton’s relatives noted that his condition is “serious but stable,” noting that the influencer sustained “significant blood loss” during his livestream.
“He experienced significant blood loss and sustained additional injuries that will require surgery in the coming days,” the statement continued. “His treatment and recovery will be a long process. We are grateful that Perez was able to spend time with his mother and sister yesterday. As our family remains focused on Perez’s treatment and recovery, we also need the space and privacy to care for everyone affected by this situation.”
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