The late King of Pop, Michael Jackson, was known for his eccentric character and unconventional behavior, which has always been a topic of interest for the media. Michael’s decision to choose Debbie Rowe, a white woman, as the surrogate mother for his children sent shockwaves through his dedicated fans and the entertainment industry, leaving many in disbelief.
Michael’s daughter, Paris Jackson’s life, has also been impacted by her father’s decision as she grapples with the struggle of self-identity. Despite her mixed heritage, the 25-year-old often found herself pigeonholed as white by the public due to her skin and hair color.
In an interview with Rolling Stone in 2017, Paris Jackson seized the opportunity to dispel misconceptions and offered a deeper understanding of her racial identity and heritage. With a confident and assured demeanor, she unequivocally declared herself a black woman.
During the discussion, the singer shared how her late father played a pivotal role in shaping her sense of self-identity. “[Michael] would look me in the eyes, and he’d point his finger at me and he’d be like, ‘You’re black. Be proud of your roots.’ And I’d be like, ‘OK, he’s my dad, why would he lie to me?’ So I just believe what he told me,” Paris recalled. “Cause, to my knowledge, he’s never lied to me.”
Paris further shared her encounters with strangers who often assume she is white due to her skin complexion and hair characteristics. “Most people that don’t know me call me white,” she confessed. “I’ve got light skin and, especially since I’ve had my hair blond, I look like I was born in Finland or something.”
The 25-year-old concluded that her experience is not isolated and pointed out other individuals of mixed-race backgrounds. As an illustrative example, she brought up Wentworth Miller, known for his role in Prison Break, who, just like her, was born to a black father and a white mother.
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