âMy Dad Used toâŠâ â Paris Jacksonâs Journey Through Legacy and Truth
Paris Jackson stood beneath the soft glow of studio lights, her voice steady but her eyes flickering with emotion. âMy dad used to sit with me under the stars and talk about the universe,â she said. âHe believed in magicânot the kind on stage, but the kind in people.â
It was the first time sheâd spoken so candidly in years. For most of her life, Paris had been a mystery wrapped in fame. The daughter of the King of Pop, she grew up in a world of velvet curtains, bodyguards, and whispered rumors. But now, at 27, she was ready to tell her storyânot just about her father, but about herself.
The Weight of a Name
Being Michael Jacksonâs daughter was never simple. From the moment she was born, Paris was thrust into a spotlight she never asked for. Paparazzi chased her through airports. Fans scrutinized her every move. And critics questioned whether she could ever step out of her fatherâs shadow.
âI used to feel like I had to be perfect,â she admitted. âLike I had to live up to this impossible legacy. But my dad never wanted that. He wanted me to be free.â
In interviews, Paris described her father as gentle, eccentric, and deeply spiritual. âHe loved nature, animals, and people. He taught us to value kindness and creativity,â she told Rolling Stone. âHe was a guiding light.â
But that light came with shadows.
The Silence and the Storm
For years, Paris avoided the media. She rarely commented on the controversies surrounding her father. The allegations. The lawsuits. The documentaries. She stayed quiet, not out of fear, but out of grief.
âI didnât know how to talk about him without feeling like I was betraying something sacred,â she said. âHe was my dad. Not a headline.â
But in 2025, something changed. A new biopic about Michael Jackson was announcedâone that Paris claimed was âfilled with inaccuraciesâ and âfull-blown liesâ. She had offered feedback on the script, but her notes were ignored. âI spoke up and wasnât heard,â she said. âSo I butted out.â
Her frustration boiled over. âItâs Hollywood. Itâs fantasy land. Itâs not real. But itâs sold to you as real,â she wrote on Instagram. âI prefer honesty over sales and monetary gain.â
Her words struck a chord. Fans rallied behind her. Critics took notice. And suddenly, Paris Jackson wasnât just the daughter of a legendâshe was a voice of her own.
Art as Armor
Paris turned to music and acting to process her pain. Her debut album blended folk, rock, and soul, with lyrics that explored identity, loss, and resilience. She toured with Incubus and Manchester Orchestra, even performing on the anniversary of her fatherâs deathâa decision that sparked backlash.
âI think people forget that grief looks different for everyone,â she said. âI wasnât trying to disrespect him. I was trying to honor him by doing what he lovedâperforming.â
Her performances were raw, emotional, and unapologetically real. She sang barefoot. She cried on stage. She spoke to fans about mental health, addiction, and healing.
âI used to hide,â she said. âNow I create.â
The Legal Battle
Behind the scenes, Paris was also fighting a legal war. She challenged the executors of her fatherâs estate, questioning the massive legal fees being paid to defend against renewed sexual abuse allegations. Wade Robson and James Safechuck were seeking $400 million in damages. Paris believed the estateâs spending was excessive and wanted the court to intervene.
Her stance was controversial. The estate warned that halting payments could lead to âprofoundly destabilizing consequencesâ. But Paris stood firm.
âIâm not trying to destroy anything,â she said. âIâm trying to protect what my dad builtâand what he believed in.â
A Daughterâs Reckoning
In a televised interview, Paris was asked the question everyone had been waiting for: âDo you believe the allegations against your father?â
She paused. âI believe in the man I knew,â she said. âI believe in the love he gave me, the lessons he taught me, and the way he made me feel safe. Thatâs my truth.â
She didnât deny the pain others claimed. She didnât attack. She simply spoke from her heart.
âMy dad used to tell me, âDonât let the world change your soul.â I think about that every day.â
Legacy Reimagined
Paris Jacksonâs journey is far from over. She continues to write music, act in indie films, and advocate for causes close to her heart. Sheâs not trying to be her father. Sheâs trying to be herself.
And in doing so, sheâs redefining what it means to carry a legacy.
âHe was a star,â she said. âBut he was also a dad who made pancakes, told bedtime stories, and danced in the living room. Thatâs the Michael Jackson I knew. Thatâs the man I love.â