Paris Jackson is reflecting on her unique childhood — and the life lessons her famous father instilled while raising her and her brothers at Neverland Ranch.
The singer and model recently appeared on the “Trying Not to Die” podcast with Jack Osbourne, where the two bonded over what it was like growing up with world-famous fathers.
Paris Talks About Her Childhood
During the conversation, Paris opened up about her upbringing with her late dad, Michael Jackson, and brothers Prince and Bigi, revealing that while life at Neverland came with privilege, it also came with expectations.
“There was a lot about my upbringing that was silver spoon-esque, but there was so much of it that had to be earned,” Paris explained. “Like there was very much a focus on developing a work ethic.”
Despite growing up surrounded by luxury, the 27-year-old said her father made sure his children understood the importance of earning their success.
That mindset, she shared, still shapes the way she approaches life and her career today.
“And so I did see something recently where it’s like, ‘You don’t have to work,’ and it’s like no, I do. I really do,” she said. “Because I’m like a shark. If I stop moving, I’ll die. It makes me happy to move and work and be productive.”
Paris also reflected on how her relationship with privacy has changed over the years, especially after growing up in one of the most famous families in the world.
“There’s definitely a certain element where I felt I had to share everything,” she said. “And that has drastically changed in the last few years, because I don’t really feel like any of us owe anyone anything.”
The musician added that she has learned to protect certain parts of her personal life — particularly her romantic relationships.
“I’m now learning I can have my own personal relationship and I’m allowed to be private about it and I’m now like, my relationship is the most beautiful relationship ever,” she shared.
Prince Jackson Recently Reflected on His Childhood
Paris’ reflections come shortly after her older brother, Prince Jackson, also spoke publicly about what it was like growing up at Neverland.
During a recent appearance on Australia’s Sunrise, Prince — who serves as a producer on the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic, Michael — admitted that many aspects of his childhood felt normal at the time, though he now realizes how extraordinary they actually were per the Daily Mail.
“As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned that a lot of what I think is normal life is not normal life,” Prince admitted.
He described childhood at Neverland as magical, even with exotic animals roaming nearby.
“Growing up at Neverland with my siblings and my father, for us, it was hanging out together as a family, but with the backdrop of elephants and giraffes walking in the background,” he said.
“We spent a lot of time playing board games together, reading books, watching movies. It truly was, and is, magical. It felt like your own personal Disneyland,” he added.
Prince also spoke warmly about Michael as a father, calling his parenting “awesome” and describing the late superstar as “really fun to just spend time with.”
Though their childhood may have been far from ordinary, both Paris and Prince continue to emphasize the same thing: behind the gates of Neverland, family time mattered most.
