Jared Padalecki deleted a public message supporting Perez Hilton during his hospitalization after saying he had been unaware of the extent of the celebrity blogger’s controversial history.
The Supernatural actor initially reached out to Hilton on August 8 after the blogger was hospitalized following a disturbing TikTok livestream in which he appeared to harm himself. Padalecki encouraged him to accept support and told him that difficult periods can pass.
A day later, Padalecki removed the message after commenters directed his attention to Hilton’s past celebrity coverage. “I didn’t know,” the actor wrote in his initial response. “It’s been brought to my attention. I’m sorry.”
Padalecki later explained that he knew Hilton had been a sensationalist tabloid personality and had heard that the blogger had written unkind things about him, but said he had never researched Hilton or understood the broader criticism surrounding his work.
Padalecki Says He Had ‘Absolutely No Idea’ About Hilton’s Past
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Padalecki expanded on the deletion in a follow-up message reported by Entertainment Weekly. “I had ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA about his past,” he wrote.
The actor said he had heard of Hilton and knew the blogger had not always been kind to him personally, but his instinct had been to respond with forgiveness rather than hold a grudge.
Padalecki said he had never visited Hilton’s website or researched his history and had simply regarded him as a sensationalist tabloid journalist. “I DO NOT stand for, or support, ANY of the actions I just now found out that he has committed,” Padalecki wrote, before apologizing to anyone hurt by his original message.
His Original Message Focused on Hilton’s Well-Being
Padalecki’s since-deleted August 8 post had focused entirely on Hilton’s immediate condition. “Just wanted to reach out and let you know that you’re in my thoughts,” he wrote, according to TheWrap.
He encouraged Hilton to be kind to himself and surround himself with people who could offer support, ending the message with, “This too shall pass. You got this.”
Padalecki has previously spoken publicly about his own experiences with depression and suicidal ideation. In 2015, he launched the Always Keep Fighting campaign to raise awareness around depression, addiction and self-harm.
Padalecki Says Forgiveness Was Behind His Initial Response
In explaining why he reached out before knowing more about Hilton’s history, Padalecki said he generally believes in offering grace to people who may have harmed him. He said that approach had usually served him better.
Hilton became notorious during the rise of celebrity blogging for insulting nicknames, invasive speculation about celebrities’ private lives and coverage that drew criticism for outing queer public figures.
Padalecki said learning about that broader history changed his understanding of the person he had publicly supported. “That’s my bad,” he wrote.
Hilton’s Family Says He Remains in Serious but Stable Condition
Hilton was hospitalized on August 4 after authorities responded to concerns about a livestream from his Miami home.bHis family said in an August 8 update that he remained hospitalized under Florida’s Baker Act and that his condition was “serious but stable.”
According to PEOPLE, Hilton’s family said he would require additional medical treatment and that his recovery would be a long process. The family also said Hilton’s communication had been extremely limited and asked that statements published directly through PerezHilton.com be treated as the only authorized updates about his condition.