Paris Jackson, the daughter of the late King of Pop Michael Jackson, offered a rare glimpse into her highly private childhood in a recent appearance on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast. The 28-year-old described a structured upbringing where education and chores took precedence, with leisure time reserved for weekends.
Jackson clarified that while she spent her early years at her father's Neverland Ranch, the iconic estate's attractions were not for personal use. "It was made very, very clear that all of the attractions there were not for us… that did not belong to us," she explained. "That was for underprivileged children and children that were terminally ill that couldn’t go to like Disneyland."
The singer recalled a consistent approach to discipline and reward, where completing schoolwork and chores allowed for weekend outings to places like Chuck E. Cheese or Circus Circus. This routine extended to media consumption, with television and movies restricted unless they were being studied for film class or viewed on weekends after all responsibilities were met.
Jackson also addressed the practice of wearing face masks during public outings, a measure she stated was explained as a way to allow for "normal" experiences like visiting amusement parks without drawing attention. "If you do this now, you can go to Chuck E. Cheese and be normal because no one will know who you are," she said, denying it felt scary at the time.
Reflecting on her father, who died in 2009, Jackson described him as "a really funny guy that was [her] best friend" and referred to herself as his "little princess."
She touched upon navigating grief after his passing, calling the loss "rough" and her subsequent transition a "crash course in gaining social skills." Jackson also spoke about her journey with sobriety, noting that she has been abstinent since early 2020 after reaching a personal "breaking point." She has openly discussed her past struggles with substance abuse, which she began in her early teens, and has alluded to physical effects from her past drug use.
Jackson mentioned that her current focus is on her well-being, stating that the past year has been the "best" of her life. She has prioritized her health, emphasizing a shift in her life's direction and a focus on internal management rather than external coping mechanisms.