Paris Jackson is opening up about the deeply personal emotional struggles that shaped her journey through mental health issues and substance abuse.
Having celebrated six years of sobriety earlier this year, the legendary pop icon’s daughter is reflecting on the persistent inner void that accompanied her upbringing.
Jackson has been open about her path to recovery. She previously revealed to fans that she has a hole in her nose due to long-term drug abuse.
During an episode of the “On Purpose with Jay Shetty” podcast, the 28-year-old musician reflected on how a sense of isolation began taking root in her childhood.
Jackson recalled noticing a shift around 8 years old, just a few years before the death of her father, legendary pop star Michael Jackson.
Even amidst comforting family moments, Jackson described an inescapable, underlying void that stayed with her as she grew up.
“It’s hard to explain.. But that has kind of been this sort of… throughout my life, this kind of almost chronic loneliness,” she revealed. When asked to summarize that persistent emotional strain, Jackson bluntly admitted that “it sucked.”
As her mental health struggles escalated, she explained that she eventually turned to substances as a coping mechanism. She also revealed that the substances made her feel more “moderated,” and served as an unhealthy way to cope with her thoughts.
Paris Jackson Previously Shared A Terrifying Overdose Incident From Her Past
Jackson has always been honest about her struggles with addiction. Speaking with host Alex Cooper on an episode of the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, she opened up about a traumatic 2018 incident where a friend nearly lost his life after overdosing on drugs that belonged to her.
She noted the track “Sirens, “a song featured on her album “Happiest Day of My Life,” as the most emotionally painful piece of music she has ever written.
“Probably ‘Sirens,’ that one’s very emotional. Yeah, that was about a buddy of mine that OD’d on my drugs, and I had to handle that till the paramedics arrived,” Jackson revealed during the interview, per The Blast.
Just 20 years old at the time, Jackson found herself forced to rely on her formal first-responder training during a chaotic, high-stress crisis. Despite the fear, Jackson remained focused and managed her friend’s condition until emergency personnel reached the scene.
Paris Jackson Has A Perforated Septum Caused by Past Drug Use
In addition to the emotional and psychological toll of her past addiction, Jackson has also spoken with complete transparency about the permanent physical damage left behind by her substance abuse.
In late 2025, a resurfaced video caught widespread attention online after Jackson gave fans an intimate look at a lasting side effect of her previous drug use: a perforated septum. The musician explained that the hole in her nasal cartilage creates a distinct, audible sound.
“Don’t do drugs, kids… Or, I mean, do. Everyone is going to have the experience they need to have with life. I’m not going to tell anyone what to do. But I don’t recommend it because it ruined my life,” she shared, as reported by The Blast.
Fans Were Recently Concerned About Paris Jackson’s Neck
Beyond managing long-term recovery and overcoming the physical tolls of addiction, Jackson has also maintained open, transparent communication with her fans regarding unexpected health concerns.
According to The Blast, in May, she had to reassure her followers after an online video sparked widespread concern regarding the appearance of her neck.
Taking to her Instagram, she shared footage of a medical professional examining her. “Getting an ultrasound to check out my lymphs since y’all pointed out how weird my neck looked on my last post,” she captioned the clip.
To leave no stone unturned, she also underwent comprehensive blood work to evaluate her lymph nodes and thyroid function.
Fortunately, the tests yielded reassuring results. Jackson confirmed that her blood panel was entirely normal, with the ultrasound showing only minor vocal cord redness from extensive singing rehearsals and no calluses or underlying issues.
Whether facing health scares, public speculation, or online scrutiny, Jackson has continuously maintained an unbothered, authentic approach to her self-expression.
The singer recently made it clear that unsolicited opinions about her appearance are unlikely to make her rethink the choices that define her.
She faced criticism over her extensive body art after a post featuring a photo of her showing a chakra-inspired tattoo running down the center of her chest went viral.
“She is gorgeous, but those tattoos just make her look dirty and takes away from her look,” the user wrote.
However, the singer quickly clapped back. “Oh no, what ever will I do (I’m dirty even without the tattoos),” Jackson quipped in response, as reported by The Blast.
