Paris Jackson is opening up like never before in a new interview, where she speaks about her relationship with her superstar father, Michael Jackson. Paris, 28, confirmed that over the years she’s stopped listening to what the public has to say regarding her bond with the “Thriller” singer and has instead focused on what she knows to be true.
Speaking with Jack Osbourne on his “Trying Not to Die” podcast, Paris said that in the past, she felt pressured into sharing intimate details about her relationship with her father after his death. (Michael died in 2009 when Paris was 11.)
“There’s definitely a certain element where I felt I had to share everything,” she said. “And that has drastically changed in the last few years, because I don’t really feel like any of us owe anyone anything.”
Paris explained that she used to post lengthy, heartfelt messages about her father on special occasions, such as birthdays and holidays. Today, however, the singer-songwriter said she’s in a much different space and is processing things differently.
Paris Jackson Gets Candid About Her ‘Personal Relationship’ With Her Father
“I’m now learning I can have my own personal relationship and I’m allowed to be private about it and I’m now like, my relationship is the most beautiful relationship ever,” Paris said. “I’m in a very beautiful spot with my dad and I love that and it’s no one’s business and I don’t have to share that with anybody. And there’s a lot of freedom in that, which is really cool.”
Continuing, Paris said that she doesn’t want her posts online to come across as “performative,” adding that she chooses to express her love for her father in a way that’s uniquely hers.
“I’m not going to express my love in a copycat way, copying someone that didn’t know him,” she said. “Because I did. That was my best friend.”
Paris Jackson Shoots Back At Critics Who Claim She Grew Up A ‘Spoiled Brat’ Due To Her Father’s Riches
At a later point in the conversation, Paris clapped back at critics who had claimed she was raised a “spoiled brat.” According to her, that claim couldn’t be farther from the truth. In fact, Paris said that her father raised her and her siblings to value hard work.
“There was a lot about my upbringing that was silver spoon-esque, but there was so much of it that had to be earned. Like there was very much a focus on developing a work ethic,” she said. “And so I did see something recently where it’s like, ‘You don’t have to work,’ and it’s like no, I do. I really do. Because I’m like a shark. If I stop moving, I’ll die. It makes me happy to move and work and be productive.”
Paris Jackson Speaks About Her Roots
In a past interview with Rolling Stone, Paris touched on her biological roots after years of speculation that she could be another man’s child.
“I consider myself black,” she said at the time, explaining that her father, Michael, would “look me in the eyes and he’d point his finger at me and he’d be like, ‘You’re black. Be proud of your roots.’”
Continuing, Paris said that she’s always believed her father’s words to be true. “Cause to my knowledge, he’s never lied to me,” she added.
Paris Criticized The MJ Biopic Recently Released
Michael Jackson’s legacy has been a topic of discussion over the last month following the release of the biopic “Michael.” According to PEOPLE, Paris criticized the film in 2025, saying she took issue with parts of the script.
“They’re gonna make whatever they’re gonna make. The big reason why I haven’t said anything up until this point is because I know a lot of you guys are gonna be happy with it,” she said. “The film panders to a very specific section of my dad’s fandom that still lives in a fantasy, and they’re gonna be happy with it.”
While “Michael” has grossed nearly $800 million globally, according to Box Office Mojo, that doesn’t change Paris’ take on Hollywood telling certain stories.
“The thing about these biopics is it’s Hollywood. It’s fantasy land — it’s not real,” she said. “But it’s sold to you as real, and a lot of sugar-coated… the narrative is being controlled. There’s a lot of inaccuracy and there’s a lot of full-blown lies. At the end of the day, that doesn’t really fly with me. I don’t really like dishonesty.”
