An image purportedly showing the exact moment Perez Hilton was punched in the head has surfaced on the Internet.
The gossip blogger can be seen flinching and turning away with a clenched fist close to his face, as pop singer Lady Gaga stands nearby. The image was anonymously submitted to the website DrinkTheGlitter.
The scuffle happened at Toronto nightclub Cobra after the MuchMusic Video Awards. Hilton says he called Black Eyed Peas member Will.i.am "gay" and "a faggot," and was then allegedly attacked by the rapper's manager, Liborio Molina.
The anti-gay slurs earned Hilton sharp criticism from the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD).
"These are vulgar anti-gay slurs that feed a climate of hatred and intolerance toward our community," said Rashad Robinson, senior director of media programs at GLAAD.
"For someone in our own community to use it to attack another person by saying that it is, quote, 'The worst possible thing that thug would ever want to hear,' is incredibly dangerous. It legitimizes use of a slur that is often linked to violence against our community. And it sends a message that it is OK to attempt to dehumanize people by exploiting anti-gay attitudes."
Molina has been charged with one count of assault, and was released. He is scheduled to appear in a Toronto court on Aug. 5., but can continue to tour with the Black Eyed Peas.
Hilton's allegations against Molina -- and Will.i.am -- first surfaced on his Twitter feed.
"Please come to the SoHo Metropolitan Hotel now. Please. ... I was assaulted by Will.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas and his security guards. I am bleeding," Hilton alleged around 3 a.m. ET Monday.
He then later alleged he had actually been attacked by Will.i.am's manager, not the rapper.
Toronto police were flooded with calls about the incident from as far away as China, until Hilton wrote another tweet, asking them to stop.
The Black Eyed Peas have not released an official statement about the allegations. But Will.i.am created a Twitter account of his own to deny Hilton's story.
"I just made a twitter account because it isn't cool for someone to blame you and blast you with lies," he posted.
"He will go to any length to get press...wow...!!!!"
