Paris Jackson Addresses Criticism Over How She Celebrates Late Dad Michael Jackson's Birthday

Michael Jackson’s daughter Paris Jackson shared a video message on social media pushing back on those calling her out for not posting anything on social media about her late dad's birthday.

By Corinne Heller Aug 30, 2023 6:38 PMTags
Watch: Paris Jackson - 2021 People's Choice Awards E! Glambot

Paris Jackson is asking many of her late father Michael Jackson's fans to change their ways when it comes to his special day.

On what would have been the King of Pop's 65th birthday Aug. 29, his daughter posted a lengthy video on social media reflecting on how her dad felt about his big day.

"So today is my dad's birthday and back when he was alive, he used to hate anybody acknowledging his birthday," Paris began the Instagram video. "He actually didn't want us to even know when his birthday was because he didn't want us to throw a party or anything like that."

And the 25-year-old further called out those taking aim for her for not posting a birthday tribute to the "Thriller" singer.

"That being said, social media is apparently how people express their love and affection these days," she continued, "and if you don't wish someone a happy birthday via social media, it apparently means that you don't love them and you don't care about them. There have been times where I don't post anything for my dad's birthday and people lose their f--king minds."

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Paris Jackson's 20th Birthday Party

Paris said people have "told me to kill myself, and they're basically measuring my love for my own father based off of what I post on Instagram."

She captioned her post, "Please don't use a man you have never met as an excuse to abuse, manipulate, and harass his daughter (who you also have never met)."

Paris, who began touring with Incubus in July, also played a video of herself paying tribute to her father onstage at a concert that same day. "He would have been 65 years old today and he put 50 years of blood, sweat and tears and love and passion into doing what he did, so I could stand up here on stage, in front of you, and scream into a microphone," she told the crowd. "So I owe everything to him."

Paris, who has previously posted tributes to her dad on social media, also offered his fans an alternative idea to pay tribute to him: Heal the world.

Instagram / Paris Jackson / Dave Hogan / Getty Images

"Now if you are an MJ superfan, and you want to do something that he would have loved, which is not celebrate his birthday, my suggestion would be, there's always ways to get involved with raising awareness for climate change, doing stuff for the environment, animal rights activism," she said in her video post. "These were things that he loved and he was very, very interested in."

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Paris Jackson's Style Evolution

"I can't speak for him, because I'm a different person and I don't know," she said of Michael, who was also dad to Prince Jackson, 26, and Bigi Jackson, 21—nicknamed Blanket for years. "But I'm sure he would have loved that. And so, if you want to pay homage and honor him on his birthday, that would be my suggestion."

Look back at Michael's kids over the years:

Winning Awards

Bigi appears with his brother Prince and friends at the Santa Monica Film Festival in February 2024. Michael's youngest son had won the award for Best Drama for his short film Rochelles, his directorial and screenwriting debut.

Happy Halloween

Prince and Bigi appear at their family's annual Thriller Night celebration in 2022.

Diamond Birthday Celebration

Prince and Paris attend the Michael Jackson Diamond Birthday Celebration at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

All Glammed Up

Prince and Paris appear together at the 2022 Harold and Carole Pump Foundation Gala at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. in August 2022.

Brother & Sister

Prince and Paris appear in a YouTube video in 2021.

Brothers' Night Out

Prince and Bigi appear at their family's annual Thriller Night celebration in 2019.

Strike a Pose

The two pose at Prince Jackson's Heal LA and TLK Fusion Present The 2nd Annual Costume For A Cause at Jackson Family Home on Oct. 27, 2017.

Sibling Love

Walking hand-in-hand, the two attend the mothers2mothers and The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation Benefit Dinner on October 24, 2017 in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Family Photo

Prince wrote, "It was an honor to be a part of @officialsiggyjackson wedding with my sis @parisjackson."

Silly Time

The sibling showed off their silly side over the summer on Instragram.

Step and Repeat

The trio of siblings arrived at the Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour in Los Angeles on January 27, 2012. 

Hand in Hand

Prince and Paris attend the hand and footprint ceremony at Graumann's Chinese Theater in Los Angeles January 26, 2012.

Honoring Dad

Bigi, Prince Jackson and Paris appear together at the hand and footprint ceremony.

Meet the Press

The duo stood together as they attended the press conference for Goin' Back To Indiana: Can You Feel It at the Majestic Star Hotel Lakeshore Ballroom on August 29, 2012 in Gary, Indiana. 

No Hoosiers Here

On Aug. 30, 2012, the siblings attended the St. Paul Saints Vs. The Gary SouthShore RailCats baseball game at U.S. Steel Yard in their father's hometown of Gary, Indiana.

Dad's Memorial

The trio appeared on stage during the memorial service for their father at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on July 7, 2009.

Birthday Tribute

The kids celebrate together with dad in this throwback pic shared by Prince.

Family Memories

Prince shared this family photo on what would have been Michael's 64th birthday on Instagram.

Jackson Family

Prince, Paris and Bigi, then nicknamed Blanket, appear with their dad in this throwback pic the eldest of his children shared on what would have been his 64th birthday in 2022.

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