Paris Jackson Says She Is 6 Years Sober, Opens Up on Music and Privacy

Q: What secret answers did young Paris Jackson receive about her absent mother that delayed their inevitable reunion?

The “secret” was not a dramatic explanation at all: Paris Jackson has said that when she asked about her absent mother at around age 10 or 11, she was simply told Debbie Rowe’s name, and that answer felt “sufficient” to her at the time. In her recollection on the *Call Her Daddy* podcast, Paris said her questions were basic — essentially, “What’s her name?” Once she got that information, she said she thought, “All right, cool,” and moved on. That limited answer appears to have delayed any urgent push for reunion because, as a child, she felt she knew enough for the moment. The reunion did not happen until Paris was about 15, several years after Michael Jackson’s death in 2009, when she was being raised by her grandmother, Katherine Jackson. By then, Paris said the meeting with Rowe was unexpectedly easy. She walked into a room, said, “Hey, mom,” and the two spent the day together. Paris has since said the relationship developed naturally because she approached it without expectations. Over time, she and Rowe grew closer, and Paris now describes the bond as relaxed and more like a friendship.

3 articles · Updated · E! NEWS · Aug 12

More than six years into sobriety, Paris Jackson said on the Aug. 12 "Call Her Daddy" podcast that the past year has been the happiest of her life after struggles with alcohol and heroin.
The 28-year-old said music lets her share experiences she would not discuss on Instagram or in interviews, while rejecting expectations that she should mirror Michael Jackson's style.
Paris also said ending her engagement to producer Justin Long in summer 2025 was necessary for her happiness, adding only that she is currently "happy" when asked about dating.
The broader family update included Prince Jackson, 29, remaining engaged to Molly Schirmang after their August 2025 announcement, and Bigi Jackson, 24, making a rare red-carpet appearance at a 2026 Berlin premiere.