When Paris emerged from treatment, she began to build a career on her own terms.
Modeling: She signed with IMG Models in 2017 and has appeared in campaigns for Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and other major publications. She's known for her tattoos, her bohemian style, and her refusal to conform to conventional beauty standards.
Acting: She made her acting debut in the 2018 film Gringo alongside David Oyelowo and Charlize Theron. She has also appeared in the TV series Star and the horror film The Turning.
Music: She formed the band The Soundflowers with her then-boyfriend, Gabriel Glenn. Their self-titled EP was released in 2020. She has described her music as "folk rock with a hint of sadness."
She doesn't try to sound like her father. She doesn't want to. "I'm not trying to fill his shoes," she said. "I'm trying to fill my own."
Honoring Her Father (On Her Own Terms)
Paris has been careful and deliberate in how she honors Michael Jackson's memory.
She has a tattoo of his Dangerous album cover on her forearm. She has another tattoo of his signature. She keeps a photo of him on her nightstand.
But she's also critical of the way her father was treated by the media and by the people around him. She has spoken out about his death, about the 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland (which she has called a "lie"), and about the toll that fame took on him.
"I'm not here to defend him," she said. "I'm here to love him. He was my father. He was a person. He was complicated. And I miss him every single day."
Activism and Advocacy
Paris is also an activist. She's spoken out about mental health awareness, suicide prevention, LGBTQ+ rights, and environmental issues. She's been open about her own struggles to reduce stigma and encourage others to seek help.
"Mental health is not something to be ashamed of," she said. "It's something to talk about. It's something to heal from. It's something to grow through."
She's also been open about her sexual orientation, identifying as queer. She has said that she doesn't like labels but that she's attracted to people regardless of gender.
"Love is love," she said. "I don't care what form it comes in. I care about the connection."
Life Today: Peace, Purpose, and Possibility
Paris currently lives in Los Angeles with her dogs and her cat. She continues to make music, act, and model. She also launched a mental health podcast called Unfiltered, where she interviews other celebrities about their struggles.
She's in a relationship with musician and producer Andy Samberg? No, that's a rumor. She's actually been linked to several people over the years, but she tends to keep her personal life private.
She's active on social media—especially Instagram, where she shares photos of her music, her art, her pets, and her travels. She uses her platform to promote causes she cares about and to connect with fans who have supported her throughout her journey.
In a recent interview, she was asked what she wants her legacy to be. She paused for a long time before answering.
"I don't know if I want a legacy," she said. "I just want to live. I want to love. I want to make art. I want to be kind. I want to help people. That's enough."
What We Can Learn from Paris Jackson
Here's what I want you to take away from this story.
Grief is complicated. Healing is possible. And no one is defined solely by their family name.
Paris Jackson could have disappeared from public view. She could have cashed in on her father's fame. She could have spent her life trying to be Michael Jackson's daughter instead of becoming her own person.
She didn't.
She chose to heal. She chose to create. She chose to speak out. She chose to be vulnerable, even when it was hard.
Her story is a reminder that we all have the power to build our own identities—no matter where we come from, no matter who our parents are, no matter what the world expects of us.
Paris Jackson is not just Michael Jackson's daughter.
She is Paris Jackson. And that is enough.
A Final, Hopeful Word
Paris once said, "I hope people remember me as someone who tried to make the world a little bit better. Not because of who my dad was. Because of who I am."
I think she's well on her way.
Now I'd love to hear from you. What do you admire most about Paris Jackson? Have you followed her career? What's your favorite memory of Michael Jackson? Drop a comment below – I read every single one.
And if this story inspired you, please share it with someone who needs a reminder that healing is possible. A text, a link, a conversation. Good stories are meant to be shared. 💛🎤🌿
