Perez Hilton, born Mario Armando Lavadeira Jr. on March 23, 1978, in Miami to Cuban parents, is an American blogger and media personality who became a defining force in celebrity gossip. His blog, launched in 2005 as PageSixSixSix.com (later PerezHilton.com), gained instant notoriety for its snarky captions and hand-drawn "doodles" on tabloid photos, earning the title "Hollywood's Most-Hated Website" within its first six months. The site sparked major controversy for its aggressive tone and its former practice of outing alleged closeted celebrities, while Hilton himself often mingled with stars—showing favoritism toward figures like Lady Gaga and feuding with others like Vanessa Hudgens. Beyond gossip, he used his platform for advocacy, famously calling for the firing of Isaiah Washington over homophobic remarks and helping launch the career of singer Mika. By 2018, BroadwayWorld dubbed him "the original celebrity social media influencer," and his career expanded to include four books, a podcast with Chris Booker, two YouTube channels, and appearances in films and off-Broadway shows.