Paris Jackson, the only daughter of Michael Jackson, has had a thriving modeling and music career over the past few years, but she rarely shares about her family and childhood.
Paris Jackson opens up about her sexuality
In a recent interview, Paris spoke candidly about the death of her father ; Katherine Jackson , her guardian; and reconnecting with her biological mother , Debbie Rowe, as a teenager. Paris also shared a rare recent photo of herself and her mother.
Michael Jackson married Debbie Rowe, an assistant at a dermatology office, in 1996. They welcomed two children together: Prince Jackson, born in 1997, and Paris, born in 1998.
Paris Jackson was born in 1998.
When Michael Jackson and Rowe divorced in 1999, Rowe relinquished custody of 1 -year-old Paris and 2-year-old Prince . The two children went to live with their father full-time. After Michael Jackson’s untimely death in 2009, his mother, Katherine Jackson, was given sole custody of Paris and her siblings, including her younger brother Blanket (now Bigi Jackson), who was born in 2002.
Paris then reconnected with her mother when she was 15. Paris told Smith on Red Table Talk : ‘ It was great to see my mom and see how similar we are . I also learned what kind of music she likes .’ Paris also revealed her mother is a country music fan . She later shared a photo of the two of them from her mother’s birthday party taken in December 2021.
Paris Jackson reconnected with her mother, Debbie Rowe, when she was 15.
Paris said she thought she and her mother looked a lot alike, especially after Rowe sent her a photo of her taken in the 70s. ‘ We look exactly the same. It’s great to have your mom as a friend , ‘ Paris added .
One of the reasons for the estrangement between Paris and her mother was their views on Paris’s sexuality. She came out as bisexual at the age of 14, even saying she was ‘ more than bisexual ‘.
Paris told Smith : ‘ My family is very religious. Homosexuality is very taboo, so they don’t like to talk about it, it’s not really accepted. However, Paris added: ‘ I’ve grown to the point where I can respect them even when we disagree, simply because I love them . I respect their beliefs and their religion .’
‘ I’m still very close to my brothers ,’ Paris told Smith of Bigi, 20 , and Prince, 25 , ( as well as Omer Bhatti, 37 , whom Paris considers a brother but is not Michael Jackson’s biological son ).
‘ My brothers , they did n’t understand it at first ,’ Paris continued about her sexuality. But ‘ They ‘ve always been super supportive , ‘ she said.
‘ Prince joined the GSA ( Gay-Straight Alliance ) club in high school to learn about it because he wanted to support me. In fact, not many people can say that they have siblings who support them like that ,’ Paris shared.
Paris has hinted at an estranged relationship with some members of the Jackson family.
Paris Jackson influenced positive lifestyle from Michael Jackson
Paris also shared with Smith that after Michael Jackson ‘s death , she felt connected to her father through music and the lessons he taught her .
Paris thinks her legendary father would be proud of her.
‘ I always apply the positive things that I learned from my father . I always remember the good qualities that I learned from him and try to use them every day . That is humility, kindness, tolerance… I think, just being kind to others, even if that person does wrong, I still pray for them and treat them well, that’s also how I treat myself well,’ Paris said when asked how she is able to keep her father ‘s memory so alive .
‘I do what I think I can to make my dad proud. And the amazing thing is that I really feel like he’s proud of me.’