“Since the moment I was born, Daddy was the best father anyone could ever ask for. And I just want to say, I love him so much.” These were the words spoken by 11-year-old Paris Jackson at her father’s funeral, a tribute to the man who meant everything to her.

Losing a father at such a tender age is an unimaginable heartbreak. For Paris and her brothers, it wasn’t just the agony of grief, but the sudden onslaught of media attention. The world, eager to hold onto Michael Jackson in any form, turned its gaze on his children, thrusting them into the spotlight that their father had so fiercely shielded them from.

Following his passing, Paris and her siblings were placed under the legal care of their grandmother, Katherine Jackson. Paris lived with her until she turned 19, after which she moved into her father’s private studio at the family compound, transforming it into a personal sanctuary.

At 23, Paris recently opened up about her father in a candid YouTube interview with Naomi Campbell. The conversation touched on her modeling career, her music, and her upbringing. Paris, who released her debut album Wilted, described it as an indie-folk record deeply rooted in themes of love and heartbreak. “It’s the story of what follows when things don’t work out,” she shared. She acknowledged the profound influence her late father’s music had on her work, recognizing that she had inherited his musical talent.

“My dad made sure we were cultured, educated, and exposed to more than just luxury,” Paris recalled. “We saw everything—third world countries, diverse cultures—he showed us the full spectrum of life, not just the glamorous side.”

Despite Michael Jackson’s immense wealth and global fame, he never allowed his children to take anything for granted. They were taught from a young age that they had to earn what they wanted. “If we wanted five toys, we had to read five books,” Paris explained. “It was about earning it. There was no sense of entitlement. It was about working hard for what you wanted, and when you achieved it, it felt like an accomplishment.”

In a 2010 interview, Paris described her childhood at Neverland, saying, “I felt like no one really understood how amazing a father he was. He was the best cook ever, just a normal dad.” She fondly recalled his French toast, which she said was the best in the world.

However, as she entered seventh grade, Paris’s life took a different turn. At private school, she began spending time with older friends, leading to experiences that forced her to mature too quickly. “I was doing things that 13-, 14-, and 15-year-olds shouldn’t be doing. I tried to grow up too fast, and I wasn’t a very nice person,” she admitted to Rolling Stone.

But today, Paris is a different person—focused, determined, and successful in both music and modeling. She graduated high school in 2015 and has since followed in her father’s footsteps, carving her own path. While the pressure of living up to such a legacy could overwhelm anyone, Paris is making her mark with confidence and grace.

Paris has appeared on the covers of several influential magazines, though she has openly struggled with self-esteem issues. “I’ve had them for a long time,” she confessed to Rolling Stone. “A lot of people think I’m ugly, and some people don’t. But when I’m modeling, I forget about those doubts. I focus on what the photographer is saying, and in that moment, I feel beautiful. In a way, it’s a bit selfish.”

Though it has been years since her father’s death, Paris still feels his absence deeply every day. Many of her tattoos are tributes to him, and she believes she can still sense his presence. “I live with the mentality of ‘I lost the one thing that has ever meant anything to me.’ So, moving forward, no matter what happens, it can’t be worse than what I’ve already faced. I can handle anything.”

We couldn’t be more proud of Paris and the incredible woman she’s become.