TJ Jackson, the son of Tito Jackson, struck a nerve with his fans on Wednesday when he said that he was ‘praying’ for Perez Hilton after the embattled gossip blogger was hospitalized in the wake of a disturbing self-harm incident.
Jackson, who is the nephew of the late Michael Jackson, defended his forgiving position on X (formerly Twitter) after multiple replies suggested that Hilton, 48, didn’t deserve that much grace because of his past behavior.
But the 48-year-old singer was adamant in follow-up posts that he wasn’t ‘taught to want worse for people.’
The Daily Mail has reached out to Hilton and Jackson’s representatives for comment but has not heard back yet.
Jackson’s defense of Hilton comes as the Daily Mail exclusively reported Hilton’s heartbreaking first words from his hospital bed.
Hilton had infamously claimed, falsely, that reports leading up to news of Michael Jackson’s death in 2009 were just a publicity stunt to publicize the King of Pop’s This Is It concerts in London.
TJ Jackson, the son of Tito Jackson, struck a nerve with his fans on Thursday when he said that he was ‘praying’ for Perez Hilton after the embattled gossip blogger was hospitalized in the wake of a disturbing self-harm incident; pictured in 2022 in London
Hilton, 48, was seen covered in blood in a horrific TikTok livestream in which he was seen self-harming with a knife. The gossip blogger was subsequently rushed to a hospital after police were able to subdue him; pictured in November 2025
In his initial post, Jackson explained to his followers why he had no interest in seeking out the horrific videos of a blood-soaked Perez self-harming with a knife.
‘Everybody is talking about this Perez Hilton video. I haven’t seen it but from what I’ve heard it’s horrible,’ Jackson began. ‘One thing I’ll say…He hasn’t been nice to many celebs including my family.
‘Nevertheless I never want to see anyone broken and in such a dark place. I am praying for his healing and his health,’ the performer wrote.
The comments on Jackson’s post appeared to be evenly split between fans who applauded his forgiving approach and posters who proclaimed that Hilton wasn’t worthy of anyone’s sympathy.
In response to one user who wrote that they hoped to never see the video of Hilton’s crisis and also hoped that the gossip blogger was safe, Jackson said he agreed ‘100%.’
‘And hopefully one day he will find his way and inspire others who make a living negative talking/slandering others to choose a different route and be better themselves, to lean into LOVE more,’ he added. ‘That’s the way to really live life to the fullest.’
But the pushback on Jackson’s forgiving stance continued into Thursday, when he returned to defend his sympathetic response to Hilton.
‘I’ve gotten so many comments disagreeing with my last posts on Perez Hilton that it’s actually sad to me,’ Jackson wrote on X.
In his initial post, Jackson explained to his followers why he had no interest in seeking out the horrific videos of a blood-soaked Perez self-harming with a knife
The comments on Jackson’s post appeared to be evenly split between fans who applauded his forgiving approach and posters who proclaimed that Hilton wasn’t worthy of anyone’s sympathy
But the pushback on Jackson’s forgiving stance continued into Thursday, when he returned to defend his sympathetic response to Hilton; Jackson is pictured in 2019
The performer explained that his family had instilled values in him that prevented him from feeling glee in response to Hilton’s misfortunes
After one user applauded his decision to pray for Hilton, Jackson quoted the post and shared a quotation from Martin Luther King Jr. that had inspired him
The performer explained that his family had instilled values in him that prevented him from feeling glee in response to Hilton’s misfortunes.
‘Again, I know he was absolutely awful to so many (including my family) but I just wasn’t raised or taught to want worse for people. It’s just not the way,’ Jackson declared. ‘There is no beauty in “revenge” or joy in “karma.”
‘If you disagree, I believe, you are playing the wrong game in life or at least living by the wrong set of rules… A healthy ego doesn’t need to feel justified,’ he added.
Jackson went even further in urging people to give Hilton space as he recovered.
‘I believe he (yes, even he) deserves privacy and will pray for his healing and strength for his kids and family during this painful time and hope you all do too,’ Jackson concluded.
After one user applauded his decision to pray for Hilton, Jackson quoted the post and shared a quotation from Martin Luther King Jr. that had inspired him.
‘One of my favorite MLK quote’s is “I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.” And not saying it’s always been easy but as I get older it’s clear to me… it’s the only way,’ Jackson said.
Perez infamously came into conflict with Jackson’s family in 2009, when he falsely claimed that reports that Michael Jackson had gone into cardiac arrest were merely a publicity stunt to promote his planned London residency, which he had been rehearsing for prior to his death.
Perez infamously came into conflict with Jackson’s family in 2009, when he falsely claimed that reports that Michael Jackson (pictured on March 5, 2009) had gone into cardiac arrest were merely a publicity stunt to promote his planned London residency
However, after it became clear that Jackson had died, Hilton deleted his post and replaced it with a link to reports of the pop icon’s passing; Hilton pictured in 2023
‘Get your money back, ticket holders!!!!’ Hilton wrote in a post alleging a hoax.
He also claimed that ‘[Jackson] pulled a similar stunt when he was getting ready for his big HBO special in ’95 when he “collapsed” at rehearsal!’
However, after it became clear that Jackson had died, Hilton deleted his post and replaced it with a link to reports of the pop icon’s passing.
Hilton was rushed to a hospital on Tuesday after police managed to subdue him in the wake of a horrific TikTok livestream in which he self-harmed with a knife while covered from head to foot in blood.
The livestream was eventually taken down, and TikTok banned Hilton’s account, but the social media platform came under fire from users and critics over how long it allowed the disturbing display to be broadcast.
And on Wednesday, it was revealed that Hilton’s three children, as well as his niece and sister, were at his home just minutes before his horrific livestream began.
According to a statement on Hilton’s website, his family ‘immediately fled’ to prevent the children from ‘witnessing any further trauma’ when it became apparent that Hilton was in the midst of a ‘severe mental health crisis and harming himself.’
‘Our family cannot express enough our continued gratitude for the overwhelming outpouring of love, support, and prayers we have received during this incredibly difficult time,’ the statement began.
And on Wednesday, it was revealed that Hilton’s three children, as well as his niece and sister, were at his home just minutes before his horrific livestream began; pictured in 2023 in Las Vegas
Four squad cars were spotted pulling up to the celebrity blogger’s ranch-style house with sirens blaring just after 7pm Tuesday
‘The events of the past several days have been nearly unbearable for our family.’
‘Our highest priority right now is helping the children begin to heal from what they experienced. An important part of that process is allowing them to safely return home and begin rebuilding a sense of security and normalcy.’
‘For the children’s safety, privacy, and well-being, we respectfully ask members of the media, paparazzi, content creators, and the public to leave the area surrounding the family’s home and not return. Please allow his children the privacy and space they need during this unimaginably difficult time.
‘We will continue to provide updates on Perez’s condition through PerezHilton.com when we have additional information we are able to share.
‘Again, thank you for your compassion, understanding, and continued prayers.’
Hilton’s three children were born via surrogacy. His eldest son, Mario, was born in 2013, followed by two daughters, Mia in 2015 and Mayte in 2017.
Surveillance video captured the moment police swarmed the Miami home when concerned fans alerted 911 to Hilton’s alarming self-harming behavior on a TikTok livestream.
Four squad cars were spotted pulling up to the celebrity blogger’s ranch-style house with sirens blaring just after 7pm Tuesday after officers received multiple emergency calls about his behavior.
Hilton launched his celebrity gossip blog back in 2004 which was originally called PageSixSixSix.com. Shortly after, he changed the name to PerezHilton.com; Seen in 2008
The video, captured by a neighbor’s Ring doorbell camera, reveals officers then trying to coax Hilton, born Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr, out of the home.
‘Mario, it’s the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, please step out of the house,’ a deputy calls out as more police arrive.
Clips taken from the video, which the Daily Mail will not publish, appeared to show Hilton covered in blood while brandishing a knife.
Hilton was eventually taken to the hospital, where he was surrounded by loved ones on Wednesday, including his 42-year-old sister, Barbara Lavandeira.
If you or someone you know needs help in the US, please call or text the confidential 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. If you are in the UK, call Samaritans at 116 123 for free. If you are in Australia, call Lifeline 13 11 14 or Kids Helpline at 1800 55 1800.
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