Born to the Pop Legend, Michael Jackson, Paris Jackson steps out of her father’s shadow – A Journey of Self-Discovery

 

 

 

Despite being a superstar throughout her life, 24-year-old Paris Jackson, the second offspring of the iconic musician Michael Jackson, is continuously striving to carve out her own identity. She has faced immense challenges following her father’s demise but presently, she is ardently pursing her own singing career.

 

 

 

Having experienced the highs and lows of life, Paris is now stepping forward to share insights about her upbringing under the shadow of the King of Pop.

 

Every corner of the world acknowledges the existence of Michael Jackson. After all, one doesnt get acknowledged as the King of Pop for nothing, right? Despite his thriving music career, his life was steeped in complexities. Michael Jackson was moulded from a very tender age to be an artist and a vocalist. This, however, doesn’t overshadow the fact that his music, his dance and his compositions are utterly magnificent and timeless.

 

 

 

The world collectively mourned when the legendary musician passed away in 2009. He dedicated almost his entire life to the public eye, the paparazzi and tabloid coverage hounding him incessantly. Even at his final moments, he was not granted respite from this scrutiny.

 

Media helicopters eagerly tracked the helicopters carrying his motionless body away from Los Angeles Hospital. News about Michael Jackson and his family continues to be disseminated and consumed by the world till date. His family, especially his children, are continually subjected to public attention and scrutiny as the Jackson family appeals to the prying paparazzi.

 

 

 

Born and brought up under the spotlight, Paris Jackson, the second child of Michael Jackson, is striving to differentiate herself from her fathers identity and establish her own individuality. Despite battling mental illness for years, she is determined to take her life by the horns and steer it in the direction she wants.

 

 

 

Paris Jackson was born in California on April 3, 1998, as the only daughter and second child of Michael Jackson. Educated at home till the sixth grade, her initial years were notably private. The Jackson kids were ingeniously shielded from public attention to preserve their normalcy. In their early photographs, they can be seen incognito, in disguises or with their faces wrapped in scarves. Home being the confines of the sprawling Neverland ranch, Paris and her siblings had an incredibly restricted childhood.

 

While their immense wealth was undeniable, life within these privileged walls must not have been easy. In a tell-all interview on YouTube with supermodel Naomi Campbell, Paris Jackson opened up about her relationship with her father and her not-so-ordinary upbringing.

 

 

 

In her own words, Michael Jackson made sure they were cultured. Paris recalled, My dad made sure we were cultured, that we were educated, and not just showing us the glittery, glamour kind of life, but everything in between. We saw third world countries, we saw every part of the spectrum.

 

 

 

During her childhood, Paris Jackson travelled the world while her father entertained hundreds of thousands of fans. Although acknowledging her privileged upbringing, she learnt early on not to take anything for granted. Her father instilled in them the value of hard work. She remembers, Even as kids, we had to earn stuff. We had to earn money. It was about earning it, not just being entitled to certain things.”

 

Paris was merely 11 when her father passed away. Michael Jackson’s tragic demise due to a cardiac arrest put his children under the legal guardianship of their grandmother, Katherine Jackson, as per Michael’s will. During Michael’s televised funeral, a teary-eyed Paris addressed the world and expressed her love for her “best father”. From then on, the world got to see more than just fleeting glimpses of the Jackson kids.

 

Fast forward to 2010, Paris appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, talking fondly about her father, rekindling the memory of him as a “normal dad” who cooked the “best French toasts”.

 

After Michael Jackson’s death, Paris moved into a mansion in Calabasas, California, with her grandmother and other family members. At 19, she moved into Michael Jackson’s private studio in the family compound and converted it into a bedroom-like space.

 

Her path to adulthood was far from smooth. Being the offspring of a legend, she was expected to carry forward her father’s legacy. Early exposure to adult life, cyberbullying and acute teenage angst led her to an unsuccessful suicide attempt. A series of traumatic events led her to spend some time in a therapeutic school in Utah, which in her words, transformed her into a completely different person”.

 

Having graduated high school a year early, Paris had plenty to reflect upon. While she inherited Michael Jackson’s multi-million dollar estate, the expectation to act like a celebrity without having done anything noteworthy was hard to shoulder. But Paris is poised to walk in her father’s shoes, heading in the same direction into the world of showbiz. She is determined to make a mark on her own merits, truly believing in her father’s words that she has to strive for success.

 

Despite her star-studded family background, Paris desires to make a name for herself. Growing up surrounded by adults and leaving Neverland for a real school was indeed a huge shift. Although she grew up as Michael Jackson’s daughter, she saw the world beyond it.

 

Paris has ventured into modeling as a step towards finding her unique path. Gracing the covers of esteemed magazines like Rolling Stone, Vogue, and Narcisse, she certainly has a promising future. As someone who understands the brunt of cyberbullying, she appreciates her father’s controversial decision to transform himself through plastic surgeries. In Paris’s words, during photoshoots, she “feels pretty” and for some time, can forget her self-esteem issues.

 

In 2020, Paris Jackson launched her debut album, Wilted, tracing her father’s musical footprints but choosing a different genre – indie folk instead of R&B and pop. She was heavily influenced by her father’s diverse taste in music which spanned classical music, jazz, hip hop, R&B, and quintessential Motown style.

 

Paris Jackson sports over 50 tattoos, nine of them as a tribute to her dad. Despite the pain of losing her father, she believes in keeping him alive in her memories and dreams. She believes time doesn’t heal; we merely learn to live with our losses. Michael Jackson, in spirit, will always remain with her.

 

The life Paris Jackson has lived is beyond ordinary, but we admire how she is shaping her own destiny while staying true to her individuality. Navigating through the demands of being a celebrity, paparazzi attention, and her own personal battles, we wish Paris Jackson all the success for her future endeavours!