Musician Paris Jackson has detailed the strict rules her father Michael Jackson set during her childhood at the Neverland Ranch. Speaking as a guest on Alex Cooper's podcast Call Her Daddy, the 28-year-old artist clarified that living at the Santa Barbara County estate only accounted for the early years of her life.
Jackson explained that her father made it clear that the amusement rides and facilities at Neverland were not intended for her or her siblings. Instead, she recalled him stating that the estate's attractions were built for children from financially struggling families and children with terminal illnesses who were unable to visit amusement parks such as Disneyland.
Paris Jackson is an American singer, model, and actress, and the daughter of Michael Jackson, the global pop superstar known as the King of Pop. The Neverland Ranch, an expansive property in California, featured a private theme park and zoo that became central to public perception of the Jackson family's private life.
Neverland Ranch and childhood rules
During the interview, Jackson recalled waking up each day to attend lessons in a dedicated classroom inside their home. She noted that a fundamental rule remained in place throughout her upbringing alongside her brothers, Prince and Bigi Jackson.
According to Jackson, she and her brothers were required to complete all of their household chores and school assignments before being permitted any leisure time on weekends. She stated that this policy remained strictly enforced even as the family moved continuously between hotels, never remaining in a single location for longer than a year.
Strict guidelines also governed television and film viewing. Jackson explained that she and her siblings were prohibited from watching movies or television unless they were actively studying them for cinema instruction, with the audio turned either on or off, or on weekends after all required tasks were finished.
Face masks and public privacy
Addressing the public speculation surrounding the face masks she and her brothers wore during childhood outings, Jackson maintained that the practice made complete sense to her at the time.
She stated that her father told them that wearing masks in public would allow them to visit ordinary venues such as Chuck E. Cheese without being recognized, giving them the opportunity to experience normal childhood activities. Chuck E. Cheese is a popular American family entertainment center and restaurant chain.
Father's legacy and loss
When asked to describe her father, who died in 2009 at the age of 50, Jackson remembered him as a humorous individual who was her best friend. She referred to herself as the King of Pop's little princess during those years.
Jackson admitted that losing her father was difficult, describing the period following his death as a rapid crash course in developing social skills after a childhood spent largely in isolation from standard social environments.
Broken engagements and relationship decisions
The podcast conversation also covered Jackson's personal relationships, including a secret first engagement that took place while she was under the influence of drugs. Although she questioned whether the event formally counted, she stated that the emotional experience felt entirely real to her despite both partners being intoxicated and her partner purchasing the engagement ring with her money without her knowledge.
Jackson also discussed her decision in 2025 to end her second engagement to music producer Justin Long. She stated that breaking off the engagement was a necessary choice to ensure her own happiness.
Describing her hesitation prior to the split, Jackson recalled feeling an internal voice prompting her to stay in the hope that conditions would improve over time. She told host Alex Cooper that she eventually realized someone being a good person and remaining faithful was not sufficient reason to stay in a relationship, adding that her requirements in partners had historically been set too low and that she was now raising her standards.
Addiction battle and personal reset
Reflecting on her history with addiction, Jackson revealed that she has maintained continuous sobriety since the first week of 2020 after reaching a personal rock bottom.
Following her 2025 separation from Long, Jackson underwent an uncomfortable full detox process to reset her personal life. She explained that this period involved intentionally avoiding flirting, prolonged eye contact, and extended hugs to ensure her personal priorities remained clear.
