Twitter War Between Perez Hilton and NKOTB Member Jonathan Knight

Perez Hilton invited celebrities to his big birthday party Saturday night – and while the Backstreet Boys performed, former boy bander and New Kids On The Block member Jonathan Knight did not attend – choosing instead to call Hilton out for once bullying him online.

Before the party, Knight went on Twitter, telling one party attendee to “Throw an egg @perezhilton and tell him that’s my birthday gift to him!”

Perez Hilton saw the tweet the next day and responded: “Disappointing to hear that. Instead of wishing me something negative, ignore me or go here,” directing Knight to his party’s web page to raise money for the Save the Music Foundation.

Knight snapped back, tweeting, “disappointing is all the pictures of me on your website with penis’s on them and all the times you harassed and bullied! … Someday I may forgive but I sure won’t forget! Oh and Happy Birthday…. Hopefully someone gave you the gift of class!”

Hilton implored that he has left his old habit of talking smack about celebrities behind him: “I wish you no ill will. … I have admittedly made many mistakes in my past. But I won’t be defined by my past or let my baggage hold me down. … I’m not asking anyone to forget my past. I haven’t forgotten it. … And your jibe about class, I will happily accept your insult. I won’t respond to your negativity with more negativity.”

While I applaud Hilton for changing his ways, (even if those close to him have said that it’s largely to raise his own profile within the celebrity community that he once mocked) I can’t blame Knight for wanting to get the last word.

Back in 2009 Hilton seemingly tried to force Knight out of the closet via – you guessed it – Twitter, with the following series of tweets:

@JonathanRKnight I don’t hate you, dude. I just find it sad/upsetting that you still live your public life as a closeted homosexual.
@JonathanRKnight Seriously, at this point in your life, what do you have to lose by coming out? NOTHING!
@JonathanRKnight If Jodie Foster was on here, I’d be telling her the same thing!
@JonathanRKnight Your fans will still love and support you even if/when you come out. KNOTB fans are great and very loyal.

While we’re fortunate to live in a time where many people can comfortably come out of the closet, I’m a strong believer that a person’s decision to go public with their sexual preference is their decision alone.

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