Paris Jackson Shares How She Coped With "Hard Times" Before Sobriety

Paris Jackson Shares How She Coped With "Hard Times" in Her Life Before Sobriety

For Paris Jackson, music is a lifeline.

The 28-year-old got vulnerable about how the art form that made her dad Michael Jackson famous helped her through her addiction before she got sober six years ago.

"That was kind of the only thing that got me through the hard times before I got sober, was music," Paris said during a Vogue Beauty Secrets vlog July 10. "When I got sober, it helped me be like, 'Oh wow, music really is everything. It really is like the air I breathe.'"

And while being a musician runs in her family tree, Paris admitted that she was afraid to embrace that performing was her "primary purpose" outside of giving back to others.

"I was pretty scared to start doing music because I've kind of been playing guitar since I was 13 or 14," Paris explained. "And I just suppressed it as a hobby."

So what caused the model to overcome her fears to pursue a career as a studio artist?

"In my like early 20s, I was like, 'I can't do this anymore. It's what makes me happy, and I just have to do that,'" Paris shared. "Especially because this was before I figured out all the other things that made me happy.”

As she explained, rock climbing, hanging out with friends and working on her photography skills also helped her get through "some rough patches” in life.

The hobbies ultimately allowed Paris, daughter of Michael's second wife Debbie Rowe, to cope with her struggles before she got sober in 2020, a milestone she celebrated in January 2025.

Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures

"Hi, i'm pk and i'm an alcoholic and a heroin addict. today marks 5 years clean & sober from all drugs and alcohol," Paris captioned a video showing her transformation after her recovery, including singing on stage. "To say that i’m thankful would be a poor euphemism. gratitude hardly scratches the surface. it’s because i’m sober that i get to smile today."

In addition to playing with her pets and experiencing heartbreak, Paris expressed gratitude for another major gift of overcoming dependency. As the "bandaid" singer said, "I get to make music."

And Paris isn't the only one keeping her dad's legacy alive. Keep reading for a look at the latest with Paris and her siblings, Prince, 29, and Blanket, 24.

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