Paris Jackson, the daughter of the late music icon Michael Jackson, recently opened up about her African-American heritage and expressed her pride in it, while also addressing the criticism she has received.
Born in 1998 to the "Billie Jean" hitmaker and Debbie Rowe, 25-year-old Paris has faced ongoing speculation about her biological parentage. Many have pointed out the apparent lack of resemblance between the children and their father, particularly noting Paris' fair skin, light eyes, and recent blonde hair color.
Michael Jackson maintained a close relationship with his children and made efforts to protect them from the public eye. However, his methods were unconventional. For instance, he would cover his son Bigi's face with a blanket during public appearances. This approach led to challenges for Bigi as he grew older, facing teasing from peers. He now prefers to go by the name Bigi.
Following the star's death in 2009, his children found themselves thrust into the media spotlight, becoming frequent subjects of media attention and scrutiny.
In the aftermath, Paris struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and has sought therapy for various issues, including occasional audio hallucinations triggered by camera clicks and severe paranoia. At the age of 15, she made several suicide attempts and was subsequently admitted to a treatment center in 2019, grappling with self-hatred and low self-esteem.
Today, Paris has carved out a successful career as a musician, following in her father's footsteps. She has also made appearances on the catwalk for high-profile brands like Chanel and is a member of the band The Soundflowers.
Reflecting on her musical journey in 2020, she said, “All my family members are into music. Being a Jackson, it’s only natural for me to pursue music. However, it’s quite unexpected for a Jackson to be involved in folk indie.”
Paris shares a strong bond with her brothers and particularly admires her brother Prince. Speaking to People in 2020, she said, “He means the world to me. I’ve always admired him and sought his approval. I’ve always wanted to emulate him.” Prince, in turn, has expressed deep love and strong support for his younger sister, describing her as a reflection of their father’s personality, albeit with some differences due to age and gender.
Michael Jackson's appearance evolved significantly over the years, with some speculating that he lightened his skin, which was much darker in his youth. However, he consistently maintained that his skin turned white due to vitiligo, as he explained in a 1993 interview with Oprah Winfrey. “I am proud of my race. I am proud of who I am,” Jackson told Winfrey at the time.
In a 2017 interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Paris discussed her racial identity and shared a memory of her father encouraging her to embrace her roots. “People who are not familiar with me often refer to me as white. I have fair skin and, especially after dyeing my hair blonde, I resemble someone from Finland,” she explained. “I trust my dad’s words because he has never deceived me before.”
However, her statements about race have not been without controversy. Wendy Williams was among the critics, saying, “She may identify as black, but I’m focusing on the appearance. Being black isn’t about what you call yourself, it’s about how the police perceive you in a dangerous situation. That’s what they observe. However, it’s adorable and beneficial for her.”
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