Paris Jackson, the daughter of legendary pop icon Michael Jackson, has opened up about her identity and the reasons she considers herself a Black woman. As a musician, model, and advocate, Paris has lived her life under the intense scrutiny that comes with being the child of the “King of Pop.” Her story is one of self-discovery, resilience, and pride in her heritage.
Growing Up in the Shadow of a Legend
Paris Jackson is the middle child of Michael Jackson, with an older brother, Prince, and a younger brother, Bigi. Born into one of the most famous families in the world, she has spent much of her life in the public eye. From a young age, Paris faced immense pressure due to her father’s global fame, which often translated into invasive attention from paparazzi and media outlets.
This relentless scrutiny had a profound effect on her mental health. Paris has openly discussed her struggles, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a condition she attributes to the intense focus on her family. Speaking on Red Table Talk, she revealed:
“I experience audio hallucinations sometimes, like camera clicks, and I deal with severe paranoia. Therapy has been a crucial part of my healing journey, especially using techniques like eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), which has been incredibly effective for me.”
Embracing Her True Self
Beyond her mental health journey, Paris has also been candid about her sexuality. She refuses to label herself, explaining:
“I wouldn’t say I’m bisexual because I’ve dated more than just men and women.”
However, discussing her sexuality with her family has been a challenge, given their deeply religious background. Despite this, Paris has found support from her brothers while maintaining respect for her family’s beliefs. She explained:
“My family is very religious, and topics like homosexuality are taboo. I’ve come to a place where I respect their views and don’t expect them to change their culture or religion for me. What people think of me is none of my business.”
Following in Her Father’s Musical Footsteps
Much like her father, Paris has pursued a music career, releasing her debut album, Wilted, in 2020. She described music as an essential part of her existence:
“Music is like the air I breathe—it’s my way of expressing what’s inside me and creating something bigger than myself.”
Michael Jackson, who rose to fame as part of The Jackson 5 before becoming one of the most iconic solo artists in history, also faced intense public scrutiny about his appearance. Although he had a darker complexion early in his career, he later suffered from vitiligo, a skin condition that caused depigmentation. Despite the speculation surrounding his appearance, Michael remained vocal about his pride in his African-American heritage, telling Oprah Winfrey:
“I’m a Black American. I am proud of who I am and where I come from. My skin condition is something I can’t control, but it doesn’t change who I am.”
Michael Jackson’s Impact on Paris
Michael Jackson’s unwavering pride in his heritage had a lasting impact on Paris. She recalls him instilling this pride in her from a young age:
“He’d look me in the eyes and say, ‘You’re Black. Be proud of your roots.’ I believed him because he was my dad, and I trusted him completely. He never lied to me.”
Paris acknowledges that her lighter complexion often leads people to assume she’s white. She explained that she’s frequently mistaken for someone of Finnish descent but points out that other mixed-race individuals, such as Prison Break star Wentworth Miller, share similar features.