Perez Hilton

Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr. (born March 23, 1978) is a Cuban-American celebrity gossip columnist/blogger of Galician background. He is known by the pseudonym Perez Hilton and his blog, Perezhilton.com (formerly Page SixSixSix), has become popular since its inception.[1] He was born in Miami, Florida and is now based in Los Angeles, California.

Beginnings in blogging

Hilton's professional occupations before blogging included some acting work [2], a stint as a publicist,[3] and a writer for gay magazines. He started blogging "because it seemed easy" [4], and was a "perfect combination" of all the things he loves, which include celebrities, gossip and fame.

Hilton claimed that on November 29, 2006, his website served over 3.97 million unique visitors in a 24 hour period.[5]

Hilton has also garnered attention from lawyers representing those about whom he writes. For example, he was named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed by attorneys for Colin Farrell after Hilton posted a link to Farrell's sex tape on his site.

Content

On his website Hilton posts gossip items about a variety of celebrities. Often he posts tabloid photographs over which he adds his own captions or "doodles" for comedic effect.

Hilton's angle on celebrity gossip includes an unashamed desire to mingle with and be a part of celebrity culture, and as such he often describes celebrity awards shows, clubs, and private events he has attended, and posts photographs of himself with the celebrities he writes about.

Criticism

Other readers claim that his coverage of Paris Hilton and her friends and family is biased[6]. Perez Hilton has been accused of ignoring stories or rumors that casts the heiress in a bad light[7]. Many bloggers have noted instances when Paris Hilton or her friends have commented about a socialite or actress and these comments have appeared in the blog verbatim as truth within hours. However, unlike most gossip blogs, he often acknowledges and praises her for her positive achievements[8].

Some bloggers, journalists, news agencies and photographers have claimed that Hilton illegally posts photographs and exclusive content from other sites[9]. Hilton has admitted to using copyrighted photographs without permission, asking "how is that different from any other blog?" On November 30, 2006, celebrity photo agency X17 filed a lawsuit against Hilton in federal court, seeking over $ 7.5 million in damages for copyright infringement.[10]

Controversy: "outing" of celebrities

Hilton has said that coming out in Hollywood is not necessarily a bad thing, he used Ellen DeGeneres, and Rosie O'Donnell as examples, "I know there is some controversy about outing people, but I also believe the only way we're gonna have change is with visibility... if I have to drag some people screaming out of the closet, then I will. I think that lot of celebrities have an archaic fear that being gay will hurt their career but look at Rosie. Look at Ellen." [11]

Prominent members of the gay community who have criticised Hilton's attacks include Arts & Entertainment Editor of the Advocate Corey Scholibo, actor Bruce Vilanch, and Damon Romine, spokesperson for the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.

Television appearances

Hilton can also be seen in media outside PerezHilton.com, such as on VH1 and E! and MSNBC's Scarborough Country. He is also developing his own reality show, which he considers "a hybrid" of The Real World, The Surreal Life, and Punk'd[12]. It is unclear, though, where, when or if this show will air. Hilton has also recently begun producing podcasts. He appeared on the Howard Stern Show on June 27 and December 6, 2006, and Tom Green Live on September 14, 2006. He appeared on MTV Canada in September 2006. Many of these appearances can be seen at PerezHilton.com's video collection at [13].

External links

• Mario Lavandeira on the Internet Movie Database