Paris Jackson opens up about her career and her father Michael Jackson

“Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine, and I love him so much.” Those were the heartfelt words 11-year-old Paris Jackson spoke at the funeral of the man who meant the world to her—her father.

Losing a parent at such a young age is devastating. For Paris and her brothers, his death meant suddenly being thrust into the public eye. Every magazine clamored for a glimpse of Michael Jackson’s legacy through them, invading the privacy he had fought so hard to protect.

After his passing, his children were placed in the care of their grandmother, Katherine Jackson. Paris lived with her until her 19th birthday, after which she moved into her father’s private studio at the family compound—a space she transformed into a dorm-style retreat.

Now 23, Paris opened up about her father in a recent YouTube interview with supermodel Naomi Campbell. Alongside discussing her burgeoning modeling career and her debut indie-folk album, Wilted, Paris reflected on her upbringing. The album, a poignant collection of songs about heartbreak and love, draws inspiration from her late father’s music—a talent she undeniably inherited.

“My dad made sure we were cultured and educated,” Paris recalled. “He wasn’t about just glitz and glam—hotel hopping and five-star places. He wanted us to see the world, from third-world countries to the richest parts of life.” Despite being the King of Pop with immense wealth, Michael Jackson never allowed his children to have everything on a silver platter. Instead, he instilled in them the value of hard work and earning what they wanted. “If we wanted five toys from FAO Schwarz or Toys ‘R’ Us, we had to read five books,” she said. “It was always about earning it—about working hard for something and feeling that sense of accomplishment.”

In a candid 2010 interview with Oprah, a young Paris described her childhood at Neverland: “I kind of felt like no one understood what a good father he was. He was the best cook ever—just a normal dad.” She fondly recalled, “He made the best French toast in the world.” Yet as she grew older and attended private school in seventh grade, Paris found herself mingling with older friends, which led her to experiment with behaviors that left her feeling conflicted. “I was doing things that 13-, 14-, or 15-year-olds shouldn’t do. I tried to grow up too fast, and I wasn’t always a kind person,” she admitted to Rolling Stone.

Today, Paris has reinvented herself. With a thriving career in both music and modeling, she’s carving out her own path while honoring her father’s legacy. After graduating from high school in 2015, she’s been steadily following in his footsteps, even if the shoes are impossibly large to fill. Despite the acclaim and magazine covers, Paris has battled self-esteem issues for years. “There have been times when people told me I wasn’t pretty, and times when they did,” she confided. “But when I’m modeling, I focus on the photographer’s direction and I feel beautiful—if only for a moment, it’s all about me.”