Paris Jackson, the daughter of legendary pop icon Michael Jackson, recently shared the deeply personal reason behind why she identifies as a Black woman. As the middle child of the ‘King of Pop,’ Paris grew up under the public’s watchful eye, navigating a life of privilege intertwined with profound challenges. Alongside her older brother Prince and younger brother Bigi, Paris’s life has been a constant balancing act between fame and identity. Despite her lighter skin tone, she confidently embraces her African-American heritage, a decision shaped by her father’s influence and her journey of self-discovery.
Being born into the Jackson family meant Paris was thrust into the limelight from a young age. The intense media scrutiny, especially the paparazzi’s obsession with her father, left a lasting impact on her mental health. In an emotional interview on Red Table Talk, Paris opened up about her struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), revealing how she continues to deal with the aftermath of growing up in such a highly publicized environment. “I experience audio hallucinations sometimes with camera clicks and severe paranoia,” she shared, adding that she has been undergoing eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy to cope with her PTSD symptoms, which she described as ‘very effective.’
Paris’s journey of self-discovery extends beyond her mental health. She has also been candid about her sexuality, refusing to conform to conventional labels. “I wouldn’t consider myself bisexual because I’ve dated more than just men and women,” she explained. However, navigating this aspect of her identity hasn’t been easy, especially given her family’s deeply religious background. “My family is very religious, and a lot of, like, homosexuality is very taboo, so we don’t talk about it, and it’s not really accepted,” she told Willow Smith on Red Table Talk. Despite these challenges, Paris remains grounded, stating, “I respect their beliefs. I respect their religion. Expectations lead to resentment. What people think about me isn’t my business.”
Like her father, Paris has also ventured into the music industry, channeling her emotions and experiences into her art. In 2020, she released her debut album, Wilted, an introspective collection of songs that resonate with her journey of healing and self-acceptance. “Music is like the air I breathe. It is awareness, a way to express myself and externalize what I feel inside,” she shared with L’Officiel Italia. Her musical talent, paired with her striking resemblance to her father, has only heightened public curiosity about her identity and heritage.
Michael Jackson’s own identity journey significantly influenced Paris’s perspective. Despite his changing skin tone due to vitiligo, a chronic condition that causes depigmented white patches, Michael was always proud of his African-American roots. In a rare interview with Oprah Winfrey, he publicly acknowledged his skin disorder and firmly stated, “I’m a Black American. I am proud to be a Black American. I am proud of my race, and I am proud of who I am.” This powerful declaration left an indelible mark on Paris, shaping her understanding of identity beyond physical appearances.
Paris candidly shared how her father’s words played a pivotal role in how she views herself. In an interview with Rolling Stone, she recalled, “[Michael] would look me in the eyes, point his finger at me, and say, ‘You’re Black. Be proud of your roots.’” She continued, “I’d be like, ‘OK, he’s my dad, why would he lie to me?’ So I just believe what he told me. To my knowledge, he’s never lied to me.” Her unwavering trust in her father’s teachings underscores the strong bond they shared, even amidst the complexities of fame and societal expectations.
Despite her firm belief in her identity, Paris is no stranger to criticism. Many people struggle to reconcile her fair skin with her identification as a Black woman, often assuming she is white or even speculating about her heritage. Addressing these misconceptions, Paris pointed out that other mixed-race individuals share her complexion, including Prison Break actor Wentworth Miller, who was born to a Black father and a white mother. By highlighting this, Paris challenges society’s rigid perceptions of race, advocating for a more inclusive and nuanced understanding of identity.
However, her declaration has not been without backlash. Some critics, including talk show host Wendy Williams, have publicly questioned Paris’s self-identification. Wendy commented, “I get that she considers herself Black and everything, but I’m just talking about the visual because… Black is not what you call yourself, it’s what the cops see when they got steel to your neck on the turnpike.” These remarks reflect the broader societal debate surrounding racial identity and the role of appearance in defining one’s ethnicity.
Unfazed by public opinion, Paris remains steadfast in her identity, grounded by her father’s teachings and her own experiences. She continues to navigate the complexities of race, identity, and fame with remarkable grace and authenticity. Her story is not just about identifying as a Black woman but about embracing her heritage, defying societal stereotypes, and honoring her father’s legacy.