With a handful of relationships and a lot of life experience under his belt, blogger/gossip entrepreneur/gay icon Perez Hilton is turning over a new leaf.

“I've officially become an old person. I'm turning 34, and I'm not clinging to my youth. I am embracing adulthood,” he says.

In his world, “adulthood” entails being a kinder person, working out regularly, and not trying to be a slut (anymore). Is this fairly new, enlightened persona a permanent change, or will it disappear the next time Perez courts controversy? Only time (and web traffic) will tell.

LA Weekly: When did you know you were gay? 

Perez Hilton: When I was six years old. I just knew. I actually made a video for the Huffington Post recently about it.

 

Have you ever had sex with a woman?

Never.

 

Would you?

 No.

 

What's your favorite song to have sex to?

I usually put on my gym mix. It's usually fun, up-tempo stuff. I update it regularly. You know, I have Rihanna and a lot of different dance music. I'm working out a lot, so I listen to the mix on random. It makes me want to have sex with myself. I look at myself in the mirror and think, “Yeah, I look good.” I'm looking really good naked these days.

 

Is it hard finding a man in L.A.?

Yes, of course. I don't know if it's easy for anyone.

 

Have you ever turned a straight guy gay? If so, was it temporary or permanent?

I'm not attracted to that. Some guys like that — I actually find it a turn-off. I have found out that a guy was in a relationship, but not that the guy was straight.

  

I watched your video on Dating and Men uploaded in 2010 on YouTube. You seemed pretty desperate to find a good guy. Did you find what you were looking for?

No. That was the Year of Dating in 2010. In 2011, it was the Year of Me Trying to Be a Slut. Now, I'm actually over both of those things.

 

Are you dating someone now?

I'm not dating anyone at all. I haven't gone on a date since last year. That doesn't mean I'm not open to it, but it means that I have really raised the bar in terms of what man I am willing to go on dates with. If I'm going to go on a date now, it needs to have huge potential and the guy needs to be exceptional. It has been very liberating and rewarding to just be happy with myself and “do me,” as they say.

 

How have you raised the bar with the men you date?

I don't want to waste time. Dating would be a waste of time unless I think he is husband material. I think the older you get, the more comfortable you get in your own skin — and you know what it is you want and don't want. 

 

Are you at least sleeping with someone?

Not really, no. And I am OK with that. Last year I was a slut, and this year I am focusing on all the things that are going on in my life, like working out. I am very busy and very happy. 

 

Is it hard separating yourself from the Perez Hilton persona?  When you ask a guy out or when you did ask a guy out, are you asking or is your alter ego?

It was hard, but I don't care anymore. I'm not asking people out anymore. You know, I also don't care because I realize that the person that I am meant to be with is going to be okay with all of it — with every aspect of who I am. It's going to take an exceptional person. You have to be patient for that.

 

What do you look for in a guy?

I'm looking for an equal. I'm over dating 24-year-olds, and I'm over dating people who are miserable with their jobs. I need to date somebody that loves what they do. And by equal, I don't mean somebody rich or famous. I need someone who loves what they do for a living, knows who they are and what they want. Oh, and someone cute. I want it all.

 

You have not met anyone with that criteria?

The guys I have gone on dates with have met some of that criteria — they are definitely good-looking. I've been enjoying going on dates with very good-looking men the last year, but I want more than just good looks. There are so many variables — it's so hard to hit the bulls-eye. That's why I'm not trying right now. Not only do you want an equal, but also you want someone who is equally into you as you are into them.

 

Did you lose weight so you could get laid?

Absolutely.

Was that the only reason?

That was pretty much the number one reason. I realized that having sex takes too much work. It almost takes as much, if not more, work than dating.

 

Are you on Grindr or any other dating/hookup service?

I joined Grindr, and I was all about it. In 2010, I signed up for all the sites — Match, OKCupid, Connection — but I don't use them anymore. If somebody messages or e-mails me, I don't often respond unless they look like they could have a lot of potential — and well, there just hasn't been anyone.

 

Did you have any crazy experiences meeting guys on Grindr?

Not really. Honestly, 99 percent of it was meeting people and hanging out — like meeting up at a bar for drinks. It ended up being a frustrating experience because, more often than not, there was flakiness and it wasn't satisfying. I'm way happier not dating and not trying so much. I haven't used Grindr since Dec. 31. I haven't deleted it, but I don't go on. But that's OK; I'm not really bothered these days.

 

What do you think of PDA?

I think it depends on the kind of PDA. I don't think public hand-holding is a bad thing. I don't think making out is completely awful — except maybe in a club. But it depends on the time and the place and where you are doing it. Appropriateness is an important word.

 

What is the funniest sexual experience you have ever had?

Hmmm…I'm trying to think. I think it's funny that priests probably get more action than I do. In the last year-and-a-half, I've gotten laid one-and-a-half times.

 

What is the “half” about?

It means oral.

 

That's not very much sex.

Yeah, I find it funny — some people might find it depressing.

 

Do you talk to either the guy or the “half?”

[Laughs]. I do still talk to one of them. He lives in another country. He was kind of a holiday thing.

 

In your opinion, who is the sexiest celebrity?

The sexiest celebrity by far is River Viiperi. In terms of physical beauty, he is the most gorgeous male on the planet. He is genetically blessed. I'm sure his dad is also ridiculously good-looking.

 

Have you ever regretted posting something personal about a celeb? 

I regret a lot of things. That's one of the reasons why I decided to make a public shift in 2010 and be more positive — like not drawing penises on pictures and not give people nasty nicknames. It's been really great to see my readers by more responsive to this positive direction. I'm a lot more mindful — in the past, I was reckless and I didn't care. I was downright malicious. I'm still sassy and critical, but I want to do it in a way that's not nasty and mean.

 

Do you regret saying something bad about anyone in particular?

Calling Jennifer Aniston what I used to. I regret picking on children of celebrities.

 

Why do you think it's hard for celebrities to come out to the public?

I think it's hard for every person. I don't out celebrities anymore. I don't think people should be intrusive when it comes to something that could potentially cause someone to commit suicide, like Tyler Clementi. I'm really trying to be part of the solution and not the problem.

 

You have outed a lot of celebrities in the past. Why have you changed your tune?

I'm trying to set an example for younger people for what they should or shouldn't do. Everyone does it when they are ready, and thankfully, there are a lot of celebrities that have come out recently. Matt Bomer just came out most recently and he has children. We have a hot, new openly gay celebrity/gay dad. I love it.

 

Would you ever make a sex tape?

No. Rule No. 1 — if you make a sex tape, nine times out of 10, it gets out. I'd rather it not get out, so I don't need to make one.

 

I'm obsessed with The Bachelor and The Bachelorette. Do you think Ben and Courtney have a chance to make it? 

I've never seen a single episode. I actually don't watch any TV, but I know everything about everyone on Jersey Shore, even though I've never watched that either. I just watch clips of things online.

 

Why do you think celebrities like Katy Perry and Kim Kardashian are so quick to get married and then split equally as fast?

That's a good question. You'd have to ask them. I guess they thought they were in love? I think that's the honest answer. They probably were in love at the time. Love changes. You can fall in and fall out of love. The more you get to know people, the easier it is to realize they are not who you think they were. You grow and evolve, and sometimes you grow apart.

 

Have you ever been in love?

Yes. We grew apart. That's why I know it can happen.

 

What do you think Snooki's baby will look like?

I think she'll look very accessorized and colorful. I'm sure she'll be wearing lots of pinks and tiaras. I'm sure she will be a very happy baby.

 

I heard you were the baby daddy, not Jionni LaValle.

Oh, I should be so lucky. I would love to be a kept man.

 

Which is the grossest celebrity couple? 

I don't know. But my favorite mom is Jennifer Garner because she's very hands-on. Whenever I see photos of any of her children, they are always happy.

 

Who do you think is the best celebrity couple?

I still have a soft spot for Brad and Angelina. I'm really inspired by them. Angelina Jolie, like myself, had a very colorful past but was able to find happiness in her life. She transformed herself and the public opinion about her, and she is now sharing that happiness with the world and her family. I think she is a great mother and a great humanitarian in addition to being a wonderful actress. I also love that Brad is comfortable in his own skin and in his relationship — he's a great partner and a great parent.

 

Assuming gay marriage is legalized for good in California, do you see yourself getting married at any point?

Hopefully, if I find the right husband. I'm very liberal and open, but I am also very old-fashioned. I believe in marriage and monogamy.

 

Have you ever been cheated on?

I don't know. Not that I'm aware of, and I really hope not. I have never cheated either. I would just end the relationship. If I'm tempted to stray, then something is obviously not working. I don't understand why people cheat. One of the main reasons is because they get wasted or things like that.

 

It seems like you've changed a lot over the past few years. What inspired this change?

I feel like the universe is rewarding me for the positive energy that I'm putting out there, and it's giving me a lot of positive energy back. Also, when you make a profound investment in your physical wellness, your spiritual health benefits exponentially.  I'm so much happier than I was even three months ago.

This year has been all about fitness. I'm making that a priority. I had done it originally so I could get laid, but now I am doing it as something I can channel my energy into and get real, tangible results. I'm trying to be a better person and a better man. That has been really rewarding for me.

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.