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Perez Hilton has long had opinions on Britney Spears, with his latest addressing conspiracy theories about the star's whereabouts.
Fans on TikTok have begun circulating theories that Spears' mental health has suffered again or that she might even be dead, with some fans trying to use recent social media posts as proof.
One TikTok user claimed Spears was dancing in front of a green screen, while some others have claimed those around her have edited her voice into videos to make it look like she was doing well.
But Hilton—whose given name is Mario Lavandeira Jr.— isn't buying it and tried to warn fans it's "not good."
In a recent Instagram video, the celebrity blogger admitted to being "nervous" about updating fans on Spears because their "concern is warranted."
"Britney Spears fans have been sharing a lot of theories because we have not seen her in public in a long time," he started. "I just dismissed a lot of these theories as silly talk.
"However, I just spoke to a friend of mine, somebody that I know in real life that I trust, that I respect, that works in the industry. That is a professional somebody that I hadn't spoken to in a while, who's very plugged in. We spoke about Britney and my friend shared what they claim is going on. And I believe my friend."
Hilton continued: "Why am I making this video? First of all, for many reasons, I'm not going to repeat what my friend told me... but my friend did share that things are bad."
He dismissed the theories such as the green screen, Spears being replaced with a clone and that she was still under her conservatorship, but explained he had not "seen a single video mention what's really going on."
"Nobody, nobody has speculated on what's really happening. And I just want to send Britney genuine love," Hilton said.
"I hope she knows the world is rooting for her. She is beloved. And this is mainly for Britney's fans. Your concern is warranted. But if, and when the the truth comes out, I think it would really surprise people. It surprised me, it's surprised me.
"So light and healing to Britney and light to her fans as well."
Then, two days later, he followed up that video by referring to gossip Instagram account, DeuxMoi, which confirmed Hilton's account of Spears' wellbeing.
The anonymous account confirmed it knew what was happening with Spears, but that it also wasn't what many of the conspiracy theories alluded to.
Hilton has had a long history of commenting on Spears' life and after years of mocking her, he became one of the many celebrities and fans who supported the end to her 13-year long conservatorship.
The conservatorship was put in place by her father, Jamie Spears, and a lawyer in 2008 over concerns for her mental health. They had full control of her finances, life, career and even medical decisions. Since the conservatorship was removed in 2021, Spears has opened up on the alleged horrific conditions she endured, including showering in full view of security, having a forced IUD inserted to prevent pregnancy and not being allowed to spend her own money.
Hilton used to be very critical of Spears, especially during her public mental health crisis and in the summer of 2007, he scrawled "I miss rehab" onto the star's image.
The post on which that image appeared was in relation to why OK! magazine did not release pictures from a photoshoot with Spears that she had exited abruptly.
OK! had cited "legal reasons" for not publishing the images, but Hilton wrote: "Perhaps Britney realized (after the fact) that she looked cracked out and threatened to sue the mag if they ran the pics!
"Whatever the reason, this is just the latest disaster in a series of f***-ups the former pop star has had over the last couple of years."
The word "loser" was scrawled above Spears' head in another post on Hilton's website that discussed her custody battle with ex-husband, Kevin Federline.
While Hilton backtracked on his stance and became an avid supporter of the singer, those posts remain on the site.
He told Newsweek in 2021, that he was leaving the posts online as a "reminder and a warning" to readers.
He said: "I have removed posts before that celebrities have reached out and said, 'That article caused me pain.' Or their reps have reached out.
"But, typically, I have left my past awfulness up to speak for itself and serve as a reminder and a warning. I am ashamed of my past but I'm not trying to scrub it from the internet or pretend it never existed.
"If I keep all my old posts up, I'm criticized. If I take them down, I'm criticized. I'm genuinely sorry for my behavior over a decade ago and I think my change and growth is obvious. I know I'm a different and better person today."
He also made the rounds on U.K. TV in 2021 in support of Spears and spoke of his "deep shame and regret" for his behavior.
He told Kay Burley of Sky News: "I take full accountability for how I behaved in the past. I can't say, 'Oh, I was just young and dumb.' I think we know a lot more, and initially, many folks—myself included—were shocked and alarmed and especially concerned for her young children.
"And I know that I did not express myself as well as I could've. I didn't lead with empathy and compassion, which thankfully it seems that most people now are understanding the severity of Britney's situation. But I absolutely apologize and carry deep shame and regret."
Newsweek has reached out to Perez Hilton and Britney Spears' representatives for comment.
About the writer
Shannon Power is a Greek-Australian reporter, but now calls London home. They have worked as across three continents in print, ... Read more