Paris Jackson opens up about her career and her father Michael Jackson
Paris Jackson was just 11 years old when she stood before a grieving world and spoke with a trembling voice at her father’s memorial: “Ever since I was born, daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine. And I just wanted to say I love him so much.” That simple, heart-wrenching tribute captured the heartbreak of a little girl who had lost the center of her universe—Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, and more importantly to her, just Dad.
The death of Michael Jackson thrust his children into a spotlight he had worked so hard to shield them from. Media outlets swarmed, eager for any glimpse into the private lives of the late star’s kids. Paris, her brothers Prince and Blanket, suddenly became unwilling symbols of loss, fame, and legacy. Their father’s efforts to protect their childhoods were gone in an instant.
After Michael’s passing, the children were placed under the guardianship of his mother, Katherine Jackson. Paris remained with her grandmother until she turned 19, at which point she moved into her father’s former studio on the family’s compound. She transformed the space into a cozy dorm-like sanctuary, seeking comfort in the echoes of her father’s past.
Now in her twenties, Paris has forged her own path, balancing the weight of her last name with a fierce desire to define herself on her own terms. In a candid interview with supermodel Naomi Campbell on YouTube, she opened up about her life, her career, and how her father’s lessons continue to guide her.
Paris recently released her debut album Wilted, an introspective indie-folk project that explores heartbreak and healing. “It’s mainly just a story of love, and what follows when it falls apart,” she said in an interview with Paper. Though her sound is entirely her own, Paris credits much of her artistic spirit to her father’s influence.
“My dad made sure we were educated and cultured,” she explained. “He didn’t just show us the glamorous life—he made sure we saw the real world. We traveled everywhere, from luxurious cities to third-world countries. He wanted us to understand humanity.”
Michael Jackson’s wealth could have allowed his children to grow up in a bubble of privilege, but Paris says he made sure that didn’t happen. “Even growing up, everything had to be earned,” she said. “If we wanted toys from FAO Schwarz or Toys ‘R’ Us, we had to read books first. It taught us about value, not entitlement.”
In a 2010 interview with Oprah, a younger Paris described her father not as a superstar, but as a loving, hands-on parent. “No one really understood what a good dad he was,” she said. “He made the best French toast in the world. He was just a normal dad.”
But as she entered adolescence, life became turbulent. Enrolling in private school in seventh grade, Paris began to associate with older peers, a decision that led her down a difficult path. “I was doing things at 13, 14, and 15 that I shouldn’t have been doing,” she later told Rolling Stone. “I tried to grow up too fast.”
Those years were marked by internal battles and self-doubt. Despite her beauty and the acclaim she received as a model, Paris admitted to long-standing self-esteem issues. “Plenty of people think I’m ugly, and plenty don’t,” she said. “But there’s a moment, in front of the camera, where I forget all that. I listen to the photographer, and in that moment, I feel beautiful. It’s selfish—but it helps.”
Despite the challenges, Paris has emerged with strength and grace. She graduated from high school in 2015 and is now pursuing careers in both music and modeling. She has graced the covers of major fashion magazines, not just as Michael Jackson’s daughter, but as a powerful figure in her own right.
Still, the loss of her father is something she carries with her every day. Many of her tattoos honor his memory, and she often speaks of feeling his presence. “I live with the mentality of, ‘I already lost the most important person in my life,’” she said. “So nothing that comes after can ever be as bad. And that means I can handle anything.”
Paris Jackson’s journey is one of love, loss, rebellion, rediscovery, and resilience. Though she inherited a legacy that could have swallowed her whole, she’s found a way to rise above it, to carve her own identity while still honoring the man who raised her. And in every note she sings, every photo she takes, every step she takes forward, her father’s influence echoes—quietly, powerfully, endlessly.