“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.”
These emotional words were spoken by an 11-year-old Paris Jackson at her father’s funeral, honoring the man who meant the world to her.
Losing a parent so young is heartbreaking. For Paris and her brothers, it meant being thrust into an intense public spotlight. Suddenly, the media fixated on them, eager to glimpse Michael Jackson’s legacy through his children. Despite his efforts to shield them from fame, they found themselves under constant scrutiny.
After Michael’s passing, Paris and her siblings were placed under the care of their grandmother, Katherine Jackson. Paris lived with her until she was 19, eventually moving into her father’s private studio on the family estate, turning it into her personal dorm-style space.
Now 23, Paris recently opened up about her life and her father in a YouTube interview with supermodel Naomi Campbell. During their conversation, she also shared details about her career in modeling, her debut music album, and her upbringing.
Paris released her first album, Wilted, an indie-folk record she describes as a reflection on love and heartbreak. She told Paper magazine that her father’s music was a major influence, and it’s clear she inherited his artistic spirit.
“My dad was really good about making sure we were cultured and educated,” she explained.
“It wasn’t just about the glitz and glam—staying at fancy hotels. We saw it all. We visited third-world countries and experienced the full spectrum of life.”
Despite his global fame and immense fortune, Michael Jackson raised his children with a strong work ethic. He didn’t spoil them or give them everything they wanted without effort. “Even growing up, it was about earning things,” Paris said. “If we wanted five toys from FAO Schwarz or Toys ‘R’ Us, we had to read five books first. It was about working for it, not feeling entitled. It taught us the value of accomplishment.”
In a 2010 interview with Oprah Winfrey, a young Paris fondly remembered her father as a loving and down-to-earth parent. “I felt like no one understood what a great dad he was,” she said. “He was the best cook ever. He was just a normal dad.” She even recalled his amazing French toast, calling it “the best in the world.”
As Paris entered seventh grade, she transferred to a private school and began spending time with older friends. This led to a difficult period in her life. “I was doing things that 13-, 14-, 15-year-olds shouldn’t do,” she admitted in Rolling Stone. “I tried to grow up too fast and wasn’t a very nice person.”
But Paris has come a long way since then.
Now thriving in both her music and modeling careers, she’s worked hard to carve out her own path. After finishing high school in 2015, she continued to honor her father’s legacy while building her own. The expectations are high, but Paris seems to be meeting the challenge head-on.
Major fashion magazines have featured Paris on their covers, celebrating her rising star. Yet she’s been candid about her struggles with self-image. “I’ve dealt with self-esteem issues for a long time,” she told Rolling Stone. “A lot of people think I’m ugly, and a lot of people don’t. But when I’m modeling, I stop thinking about my insecurities and focus on the photographer’s direction. In that moment, I feel beautiful. It’s kind of selfish, but it works.”
Even after all these years, Paris feels her father’s absence deeply. She honors his memory with tattoos and believes his spirit is still with her. “I live with the mindset that I already lost the most important thing in my life,” she shared with Rolling Stone. “So whatever bad thing happens now can’t be worse than what I’ve already been through. I can handle it.”
We couldn’t be happier for Paris and everything she’s accomplished so far!
