Paris Jackson on Ellen: Interview Reveals Touching Details About King of Pop (VIDEO)
In a last minute dash to replace the absent Lindsey Lohan, the Ellen Degeneres Show booked Paris Jackson, the daughter of Michael Jackson, for her very first interview.
In the interview, which airs Dec. 15, Paris discusses a variety of subjects, like her schooling, her budding acting career, and her relationship with her father.
Paris did the Ellen Degeneres show primarily to promote her new movie, “Lundon’s Bridge and the Three Keys,” a fantasy series based on the books by Dennis Christen. The 13-year-old seemed very comfortable in front of the camera, which she said was partially due to her father’s own inspiration.
“My dad was in the movie ‘Moonwalker’and I knew he could sing really well, but I didn't know he could act. I saw that and I said, 'Wow, I want to be just like him,'” said the teenager.
She also commented about her informal training with Jackson that yielded surprising results: “We would do improv together. He would give us little scenarios. He would say, 'OK, in this scene, you're going to cry,' and I'd cry on the spot."
Despite her transition to becoming a movie star, Paris still enjoys being a regular kid.
"I do have like a regular childhood… When I came to Buckley (her current school) they didn't know who I was. I was like, 'Yes, I have a chance to be normal.'"
The reason for Paris’ relative anonymity at her school is because of Jackson’s insistence that they wear masks throughout their childhood during public appearances. The famous entertainer began his career as the child lead singer of The Jackson 5, so he fully understood the consequences of being exposed to the media at a young age.
Paris, though initially confused about her father’s strange request, eventually understood his reasoning: “Yeah, I’m like, 'This is stupid, why am I wearing a mask?'” she told Degeneres. “But… the older I got, like he only tried to protect us and he’d explain that to us too."
When asked about her dad’s most important words to her, Paris said somberly, “He said, 'If I die tomorrow, always remember what I told you."
The young girl added fondly, "I took his advice and I remembered everything he told me."