Jared Padalecki drew swift criticism online after offering public support to Perez Hilton in the wake of the gossip blogger’s hospitalization following an act of self-harm last Tuesday.
The 44-year-old Supernatural star wrote on Saturday that Hilton, 48, was “in my thoughts” and told him “you got this,” urging him to “surround yourself” with “love and support” after what was described as a “severe mental health crisis” during a bloody livestream that led TikTok to ban Hilton’s account.
The response from Padalecki’s fanbase was immediate. Many reminded the actor of Hilton’s long and controversial public history, including allegations of cruel online bullying, outing LGBTQIA celebrities, and publicly speculating about stars’ health and pregnancies.
The 6-foot-5 Texan – who boasts 14.3 million social media followers – deleted his original X post and tweeted on Sunday morning: ‘I didn’t know. It’s been brought to my attention. I’m sorry.’
‘To give more detail re: my post wishing someone well… I had ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA about his past,’ Padalecki continued.
Addressing the backlash, Padalecki explained: “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.”
Jared Padalecki, pictured November 29, faced backlash after tweeting that Perez Hilton was “in my thoughts” and writing “you got this” following the controversial blogger’s hospitalization for self-harm last Tuesday
Hilton, pictured October 30, suffered what was described as a “severe mental health crisis” during a blood-filled livestream that resulted in his TikTok account being banned
The Boys guest star went on to say he had not understood the full scope of Hilton’s past conduct. “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 then made clear he was not defending Hilton’s record, adding: “I DO NOT stand for, or support, ANY of the actions I just now found out that he has committed. Full stop. I’m sorry if my words caused any harm. And, I hope you ALL are well out there, and taking care of yourselves.”
The Daily Mail has reached out to Padalecki’s rep for comment but did not immediately hear back.
Two years ago, The Rookie guest star revealed he used to suffer from dramatic suicidal ideation so badly it prompted him to check himself into a mental health clinic in 2015.
‘I called my wife and she said, “Get home,”‘ Padalecki told the I’ve Never Said This Before podcast.
‘And so, I got home, went to a clinic for a couple weeks and looked into it and haven’t been suicidal since – not for a moment.’
The Gilmore Girls alum went on to launch his Always Keep Fighting campaign through Represent.com – which used to support people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide.
Padalecki also probably related to Hilton as a father-of-three – having welcomed son Thomas, 14, son Austin, 12, and daughter Odette, nine – during his 16-year marriage to his Supernatural and Walker co-star, Genevieve Cortese.
The PHP co-host’s three children – son Mario, 13, daughter Mia, 11, and daughter Mayte, eight – by surrogate, niece and sister were all inside his Miami-area home the night he used a knife to slash himself on social media.
Padalecki’s fans promptly informed him of Hilton’s (born Mario Lavandeira) past antics entailing vicious bullying, outing LGBTQIA celebs and openly speculating on their health/pregnancy issues (pictured November 11)
The 6-foot-5 Texan deleted his original X post and tweeted on Sunday morning: ‘I didn’t know. It’s been brought to my attention. I’m sorry’
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Padalecki continued: ‘I DO NOT stand for, or support, ANY of the actions I just now found out that he has committed. Full stop. I’m sorry if my words caused any harm. And, I hope you ALL are well out there, and taking care of yourselves’
Two years ago, The Rookie guest star revealed he used to suffer from dramatic suicidal ideation so badly it prompted him to check himself into a mental health clinic in 2015
Padalecki went on to launch his Always Keep Fighting campaign through Represent.com – which used to support people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide (pictured in 2022)
The Gilmore Girls alum also probably related to Hilton as a father-of-three – having welcomed son Thomas, 14, son Austin, 12, and daughter Odette, nine – during his 16-year marriage to his Supernatural and Walker co-star, Genevieve Cortese (pictured May 10)
The PHP co-host’s three children – son Mario, 13, daughter Mia, 11, and daughter Mayte, eight – by surrogate, niece and sister were all inside his Miami-area home the night he used a knife to slash himself on social media (pictured July 1)
Hilton’s family confirmed Saturday on his website that he remains hospitalized under Florida’s Baker Act: ‘Perez’s condition remains serious but stable. He experienced significant blood loss’
Hilton’s family confirmed Saturday on his website that he remains hospitalized under Florida’s Baker Act.
‘Perez’s condition remains serious but stable,’ the official statement read.
‘He experienced significant blood loss and sustained additional injuries that will require surgery in the coming days. 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.’
The Patreon streamer – who boasts 9.3 million social media followers – has also received well wishes from the Jackson family, Adrianne Curry and Ireland Baldwin – all of whom were previously victimized by his words.
Padalecki is next scheduled to appear at Fan Expo Chicago happening August 14-16 at the Donald E Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois where he charges $160 for photos and $140 for autographs.
He will next portray Leighton Meester’s onscreen bodyguard Jack Stapleton in the upcoming Netflix holiday rom-com, Guarding Stars.
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.
