Paris Jackson, the daughter of the iconic Michael Jackson, has opened up about her sense of identity as a Black woman.

At 26, Paris is not just known as Michael Jackson’s middle child but has made her own mark as a model and musician. She has an older brother named Prince and a younger brother known as Bigi.

Paris grew up constantly in the public eye, thanks to her famous father, and with that came significant challenges over the years.

She has openly discussed how the relentless presence of paparazzi during her childhood contributed to her developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Mayo Clinic describes PTSD as a mental health disorder triggered by either experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event.

According to Paris, in a conversation on Red Table Talk, “I experience audio hallucinations sometimes with camera clicks, severe paranoia, and I’ve been going to therapy for many things, including this.”

She mentioned utilizing eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy to help manage her PTSD, which she finds ‘very effective.’

Besides her mental health journey, Paris has spoken candidly about her sexuality, choosing not to label it precisely.

“I don’t consider myself bisexual because I’ve dated more than just men and women,” Paris explained.

While she has been open about her sexuality with the public, discussing it with her “religious” family remains challenging, although her brothers are supportive.

“My family is very religious, and many things, like homosexuality, are taboo. So, we don’t talk about it, and it’s not really accepted,” she shared on Red Table Talk with Willow Smith.

“I’ve reached a point where I respect them and love them. I respect their beliefs and religion. Expecting them to set aside their culture and religion can lead to resentment. What others think of me isn’t my business.”

Following her father’s legacy, Paris has ventured into music. She released her first album, ‘Wilted,’ in 2020.

Speaking to L’Officiel Italia, she said: “Music is like the air I breathe. It’s about expressing myself and bringing to life something bigger that reflects my inner feelings.”

Her father, famously known as the ‘King of Pop,’ began his stellar career with The Jackson 5 before rising to global fame as a solo artist.

Michael Jackson, originally with a deep skin complexion and proud of his African-American roots, experienced skin lightening as he aged, likely due to vitiligo, a condition that causes white skin patches, according to the NHS.

In a rare discussion with Oprah Winfrey before his death, Michael Jackson discussed vitiligo, emphasizing his heritage despite skin changes: “I’m a Black American. Proud of my race, and I hold dignity in who I am.”

“This condition, a skin disorder, affects pigmentation, something I can’t control,” he had explained, rebutting claims questioning his identity.

In understanding her father’s heritage, Paris considers herself a Black woman today.

Recalling her father’s influence in a Rolling Stone interview, Paris said: “[Michael] would look into my eyes and say, ‘You’re Black. Be proud of your roots.’ I believed him because why would he lie to me? He’s never lied before.”

Despite her fair skin, Paris recounts people often mistaking her for white or assuming she’s “from Finland or something.”

Paris also notes others with biracial backgrounds share her mixed features, like ‘Prison Break’ actor Wentworth Miller, who also has a Black father and white mother.

After her public statements, Paris faced some criticism, including talk show host Wendy Williams calling her self-identification “cute.”

Williams asserted, “It’s what the police see when they have steel to your neck on the turnpike, not just what you choose to call yourself. But that’s cute and good for her.”