NEWSJared Padalecki Apologizes After Backlash Over Perez Hilton Support: ‘I Didn’t Know’
Jared Padalecki apologized after supporting Perez Hilton sparked backlash.
Aug. 10 2026, Updated 4:27 a.m. ET
Jared Padalecki is clearing the air after a message he shared for Perez Hilton over the weekend sparked backlash online.
The Supernatural star initially reached out to Hilton on August 8, after the celebrity blogger was hospitalized following a troubling TikTok livestream last Tuesday. Padalecki, who has been open about his own struggles with mental health, offered Hilton a few words of encouragement.
Jared Padalecki Explained Why He Reached Out to Perez Hilton
Jared Padalecki apologized after his message supporting Perez Hilton sparked backlash.
“Hey @PerezHilton. Just wanted to reach out and let you know that you’re in my thoughts,” Padalecki wrote.
“This ‘being human’ is a strange thing. Exhilarating. Exhausting. Fast. Slow. Wonderful…. And… at times… awful. I hope you are trying as best as you can to be kind to yourself right now," he added.
“Please surround yourself with the love and support that all humans deserve. This too shall pass. You got this,” he continued.
However, the 44-year-old later deleted the post after commenters brought up Hilton’s history of controversial treatment of celebrities, including the actor himself.
Jared Padalecki explained why he reached out to Perez Hilton before learning about his controversial past.
ared Padalecki said he had ‘ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA’ about Perez Hilton’s past actions.
On Sunday, August 9, the CW alum addressed the situation on X.
“I didn’t know. It’s been brought to my attention. I’m sorry ❤️,” he wrote.
The actor later returned to the platform to explain why he had initially chosen to send Hilton a message of support.
“To give more detail re: my post wishing someone well. I had ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA about his past. 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," he added.
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Jared Padalecki Said He 'TRULY didn’t know ANYTHING' About Perez Hilton’s Past
Jared Padalecki deleted his message to Perez Hilton before apologizing.
Padalecki admitted that he was unaware of the full extent of Hilton’s past actions.
“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,” he explained.
“I DO NOT stand for, or support, ANY of the actions I just now found out that he has committed. Full stop,” the Gilmore Girls alum wrote.
Perez Hilton remains hospitalized in serious but stable condition.
Padalecki has long been open about his mental health struggles, including his battle with depression and past suicidal ideation. In 2015, he launched his "Always Keep Fighting" campaign to support others facing similar challenges.
The television star ended his explanation with another apology, saying, “I’m sorry if my words caused any harm. And, I hope you ALL are well out there, and taking care of yourselves.”
Hilton remains hospitalized in serious but stable condition, according to an update from his family and team shared on Saturday, August 8.
"His communication has been extremely limited and confined to immediate family, medical providers, and others directly involved in his care," they stated.
