Paris Jackson: Everything That Makes A Great Activist – And Everything All Of Us Regular People Cab Take Away From The King Of Pop’s Daughter

Paris Jackson, the daughter of the legendary King of Pop Michael Jackson and a singer, actress and model in her own right, recently made a public statement that she was Jewish and a supporter of Israel as her mother, Debbie Rowe, is Jewish. This was a surprise to all as all throughout her public image, she’d identified herself as African-American and considered herself to be Black. Not much was ever known about her relationship with her mother. It wasn’t even known whether she had one to begin with. It has been known, however, that Home Alone Macaulay Culkin is her godfather, and the two have been occasionally photographed together throughout the years.

Jackson’s statement was short. And yet, it was clear exactly where she stood. She posted on Instagram, ‘I’m Jewish. I’m scared. And I won’t be silent. I stand with Israel.’ This statement didn’t just come as a shock because it was only public knowledge that she considered herself Black, but also because her family comes from the Jehovah’s Witness religion, a religion he’d left behind in 1987, and also because Michael Jackson publicly supported Palestine throughout his lifetime. Her showing support for Israel showed solidarity and bravery; especially at a time where it’s almost “cool” to support the wrong side of history. Even more so since the October 7 massacre. As a Jew myself, and especially as an Israeli, her testament on the matter.

Jackson’s declaration of her Jewish identity and support for Israel is significant because it’s a high-profile celebrity expressing solidarity amid rising antisemitism, highlighting personal heritage and vulnerability, and lending visibility to the Jewish people’s connection to Israel, particularly resonating with many Jews and allies feeling unseen or threatened, even though her stance reflects personal belief and faith rather than official political endorsement. To break it down more thoroughly:

Key Aspects of its Importance:

• Combating Antisemitism: Coming from someone with her background, it serves as a powerful counter-narrative to rising antisemitism, showing that Jewish identity and support for Israel are not fringe but held by mainstream figures.

• Personal Identity & Heritage: Jackson used “PMJEWISH” to claim her Jewish heritage, connecting with a larger community and affirming a personal link to Jewish peoplehood and Israel, notes this Instagram post.

• Visibility & Affirmation: Her declaration provides a strong sense of affirmation and solidarity for many Jews and supporters who feel isolated, especially during times of conflict, as seen in posts by Rabbi Shmuley Boteach.

• Celebrity Influence: As a famous public figure, her stance draws media attention and can influence broader public understanding and perception of Jewish identity and the importance of Israel to many Jews, notes this Instagram post. 

In essence, Jackson’s actions underscore a personal faith and cultural connection, adding significant voice to the ongoing discourse surrounding Jewish identity and the state of Israel, especially in challenging times, according to this Instagram post. 

Throughout her childhood, Michael Jackson mostly kept Paris and her two brothers out of the public eye. Their faces were completely hidden, having worn masks to cover their faces whenever they were all photographed together. That was Paris’ life up until her father’s death in 2009 when she was just 11 years old. That was no longer the case following his untimely passing. The very first time the faces of all 3 children were seen publicly was at Michael’s funeral, where Paris bravely took the microphone and made a speech exclaiming her love for her father. She told the crowd, as well as those watching at home, ‘Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine. And I just want to say that I love him so much.’

All of Michael Jackson’s children perused their own respective careers since his death. Paris, in particular, has been the most popular and influential one of them all in the limelight, especially on social media. She rose to prominence with covers for Rolling Stone, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Teen Vogue. She her acting debut on the Fox musical drama Star, as well as having appeared in Season 3 of the VH1 series Scream. She joined the cast of American Horror Story and starred as Maya in the spinoff American Horror Stories.

Following her father’s footsteps, Paris formed an indie folk duo with Gabriel Glenn, releasing an EP with the award-winning song “Notes on a Ghost”. She signed with Republic Records, releasing her debut album, Wilted, in 2020, featuring the single “Let Down”. Throughout her career this past decade, Paris never forgot where she came from, having attended the Tony Awards in support of MJ the Musical. She’s also used her platform for good, as she’s been a vocal advocate for mental health, LGBTQ+ rights, environmentalism, and animal rights. She also serves as an ambassador for the foundation. Most notably, she left a a Dior show to protest animal treatment. 

There’s been much turmoil, uncertainty, and Chaos in Paris’ life since her father’s passing. After having been estranged from her mother for most of her life following her parents’ 1999 divorce when she was just a year old, Paris established a relationship with her as a teen. In 2016, Paris supported her through her battle with cancer. She wrote on Instagram at the time in honour of Rowe, ‘I’m a fighter because she’s a fighter. love you mom.’

Also in her teen years, Paris attempted to end her own life multiple times by the time she was just 15 years of age. She was thrust into the spotlight at a young age and revealed that the paparazzi’s fixation on her father when she was a child led her to experience post-traumatic stress disorder. In an episode of Red Table Talk, she said, ‘I experience audio hallucinations, sometimes, with camera clicks and severe paranoia and have been going to therapy for a lot of things, but that included.’ She added that she has been doing eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy to help with the PTSD, and it has been “very effective.” As she told her friend Willow Smith, ‘I think a lot of it was just not knowing who I was, being a young girl and going through puberty, and probably a lot of just my situation and a lot of pressure. It was really hard, and people would tell me to kill myself every day, and I was depressed.’ In 2019, 10 years following her father’s death, Paris sought treatment for her physical and emotional health.

Of her philanthropic efforts, Paris opened up to Billboard in 2017, ‘If it means equality, if it means love. Just do it. No matter what the problem is, if you add love to it, that’s all you need.’ And while she’s worked as a musician, actress and model, she’s said that she wants to be known for her advocacy efforts. She told L’Officiel Italia in 2020, ‘I would like to be remembered for my commitment — until death — towards the environment, animals, and human and civil rights. In addition to someone who has always fought to change the system. Power to the people!’

To be a good activist, you need dedication, resilience, empathy, and strong communication skills, combined with strategic awareness to drive long-term change, not just quick fixes; it involves educating yourself, finding your niche, collaborating with diverse groups, practicing self-care, and persistently advocating for solutions while understanding systemic issues. To break it down more thoroughly:

Core Qualities & Mindset

• Passion & Purpose: Genuine care for the cause and people involved fuels motivation, especially when change is slow.

• Resilience & Persistence: Activism is a marathon, requiring the ability to overcome setbacks, doubt, and resistance.

• Empathy & Sensitivity: Understanding and connecting with others’ experiences builds bridges and makes movements stronger.

• Humility & Continuous Learning: Recognizing you don’t know everything and being open to learning from others and changing strategies.

• Self-Care: Essential to avoid burnout in a demanding field. 

Key Skills

• Communication: Articulating ideas, listening actively, and finding common ground.

• Organizing & Leadership: Mobilizing people, managing projects, and empowering others.

• Strategic Thinking: Seeing the big picture, understanding social trends, and planning long-term actions.

• Research & Education: Deeply understanding issues and educating the public.

• Leveraging Privilege: Using your unique position to amplify impact and address power imbalances. 

So it goes: it takes more than just will power to have what it takes to be an advocate like Paris Jackson has been in the years since she followed in her family’s footsteps and started her own career in the limelight. What one must realize is that they don’t have to be on Jackson’s level of fame and fortune to be a good advocate. Of course, it’ll take a lot more effort to be one. But nonetheless, it’s possible.

First, you need to align your values with issues you care about and identify skills you can offer (e.g., writing, organizing, speaking). Next, you should connect with organizations already working on your issues to learn and contribute. Third, you should participate in meetings, make signs, vote, and encourage others, as well as connect any statistics and facts you might have with human faces to make issues relatable. 

Advocacy isn’t something to be taken lightly. Not everyone is caught out to be an advocate. That said, there are several things one shouldn’t be doing when so much as considering to advocate for a cause they’re passionate about. The first most important thing to remember not to do is be a perfectionist. It’s crucial not to wait until you know everything to start; progress is often messy. The second most important thing not to be doing when advocating for a cause is make it about yourself. It’s important to focus on empowering the community, not becoming the sole hero. 

When advocating for a cause, there are several things you should avoid to maintain credibility and effectiveness. These range from your tone and communication style to the information you present and how you handle relationships with others. To break it down more thoroughly:

Communication & Tone

• Don’t be argumentative, angry, or threatening. Speaking calmly and respectfully helps to avoid putting others on the defensive and makes them more open to dialogue.

• Don’t use a negative, condescending, or intimidating tone. This will only alienate decision-makers and create bad feelings that hurt your case.

• Don’t “cry wolf” or sound too many alarms. Overhyping the urgency of every situation can desensitize your supporters, making them unable to sort out when action is truly needed.

• Don’t use an “Us vs. Them” framing. Drawing hard lines and framing opponents as enemies can push people away. Instead, use language that invites them into the conversation.

• Don’t belittle or diminish another person’s views. You can defend your viewpoint without shaming or disowning others who disagree with you. 

Information & Strategy

• Don’t overstate your case or overload a meeting with too many issues. Stick to your most salient points to maintain attention, and support them with facts and evidence.

• Don’t speak on behalf of those with whom you have had no contact. Ensure you have a deep understanding of the people and issues you are advocating for, and avoid claiming to support individuals just to benefit your own agenda.

• Don’t rely solely on social media or petitions. These lack the personal touch required for persuasion and should be used as a supplementary tool, not a primary strategy.

• Don’t wait until late in the decision-making process. Voice your support or concerns early to avoid missing the boat on key decisions.

• Don’t make promises you can’t deliver. Maintain integrity by being honest about what you can and cannot do. 

Personal Conduct

• Don’t neglect self-care or dismiss the need for breaks. Advocacy work is a marathon and can lead to burnout. Taking time for yourself is essential for long-term effectiveness.

• Don’t take criticism or pushback personally. Be prepared for obstacles and focus on finding common ground to work through them.

• Don’t be afraid to admit when you don’t know something. It’s better to offer to find the answer and follow up later than to guess or provide incorrect information.

• Don’t be offended if a key decision-maker is unavailable and you meet with staff instead. Building relationships with staff is a crucial part of the advocacy process.

• Don’t let your passion turn into an unhealthy obsession. If you find yourself getting caught up in frustration or anger, seek help from like-minded people or take a step back. 

These past several blog posts I’ve included have shown what a great impact mental illness can make on a person’s life. It can be deadly and can lead to serious harm. For the most part, it can lead to serious harm to one self. The key phrase here is ‘for the most part’ as sometimes, it can lead to harm for others. Just look at what happened to director, writer, and actor Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner. On December 14 2025, the couple were murdered by their own son, Nick, who’d been struggling with Schizophrenia, addiction, and mental illness.

Much of the struggle with a mental illness has to do with a lack of treatment. This in itself stems from the lack of awareness that’s brought about the disease. And yes, mental illness IS a disease. So this is where Paris Jackson comes in. Of course, she’s not the only one bringing awareness to it, but she’s one person that does. Whether she’s good at it or not is a matter of perspective. But no matter what the case might be, Jackson’s advocacy matters because her candid openness about her struggles with mental health and addiction helps to break down stigma, while her use of a high-profile platform draws attention to critical social and environmental issues. To break it down more thoroughly:

Amplifying Awareness Through Personal Experience

Jackson uses her personal story to reach a wide audience and encourage others to seek help without shame. 

• Destigmatizing Mental Illness: She has been open about her battles with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and OCD, as well as her past suicide attempts. By sharing her experiences, she normalizes conversations about mental health and emphasizes the importance of therapy and professional support.

• Sobriety and Recovery: Jackson is vocal about her journey to sobriety, having recently marked six years clean from drugs and alcohol. Her honesty about the difficulties of recovery helps others who are learning to “live life on life’s terms” without coping mechanisms.

• Promoting Self-Acceptance: Having faced immense public scrutiny from a young age, she advocates for body positivity and self-love, challenging unrealistic beauty standards in the fashion industry and encouraging people to embrace their flaws. 

Using Her Platform for Broader Issues

Jackson views her career in entertainment as a tool to grow her platform and direct attention to causes she believes are important. 

• Humanitarian and Civil Rights: She has participated in Black Lives Matter protests and used her voice to advocate for various human rights causes. Following Hurricane Maria, she traveled to Puerto Rico to deliver supplies and provide hands-on support to victims, prioritizing this work alongside her career.

• Environmental and Animal Welfare: As a vegan and animal lover, Jackson speaks out against animal cruelty and promotes environmental consciousness. She notably left a Dior fashion show due to concerns over the treatment of horses used in the production.

• Fighting HIV/AIDS Stigma: Serving as an ambassador for the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, she carries on her godmother’s legacy by working to change the unique stigma associated with an HIV diagnosis and advocating for continued progress in finding a cure. 

Ultimately, her advocacy matters because she leverages her unique position as a celebrity to foster a more open, compassionate, and informed world. But while her revelation of her being Jewish came as a complete shock to all around the world, her being so vocal of her support of Israel shouldn’t. Why should it be in the first place? After all, throughout her entire career, she’s been more known for her being loud in the matters she believes in rather than her work as a singer, actress and model. More than anything, she’s known for her activism rather than any other work she’d done.

If there’s anything that we can take away from Paris Jackson, it’s how to use your connections to the best of your knowledge. Undoubtedly, Paris has the privilege and the greatest advantage there possibly could be to get ahead. Maybe I’m wrong to even use her as an example of how to be a great leader and activist in the face of such extreme political pressures. That’s considering the fact that she’s the daughter of The King of Pop and has ALL the connections in the universe to be a true hero. It might be an unfair advantage compared to us regular people who aren’t even related to the Jackson family. Maybe it’s far reach to be using Paris as a means of getting the point across on how to be an activist and everything it takes to be a good, even a great, one.

Or maybe not….

While it’s true that someone like Paris Jackson has an enormous amount of money, fame and fortune that came before she could even walk due to the sheer fact of where she came from, it’s important to note that there’s a lot of pressure that comes with being the daughter of the King of Pop. In her 2017 interview with Billboard, when asked how Elizabeth Taylor being her godmother, which is yet something else to factor in when it comes to her advantage, influenced her activism, Paris said, ‘Well, it’s more than just her name attached to it. A movement is a movement. Activism is activism, regardless of whoever is attached to it. And this seemed to make the most sense because of the distant relation between me and her. I feel like we were going to get on board with a similar project at some point anyways, and it just made the most sense to get on board a project with someone who I consider family.’ And more of the Q&A involved such insight as:

A theme of the night has been equality and ensuring that globally, women’s rights are human rights. But it still feels like women’s rights—despite the women’s movement happening right now—are feminist ideals, not global ideals.

There’s this connotation around feminism still, where people are afraid to call themselves feminists because they think it means “female power.” There’s a difference between feminism and female power. Feminism literally means equality, so when you fight for equality, then you’re a feminist because you want equal rights. But if you were to say no, I want all women in government, or I want all women in charge of this, then that would not be feminism.

There are so many issues that Global Citizen works for (poverty, the stigma of menstruation and the effects it has on girls education, gender equality, climate change, etc). How do you choose which one to be a part of?

Eh, it’s pretty easy, just be a part of all of them. Get involved with as many possible movements as you can. If it means equality, if it means love. Just do it. No matter what the problem is, if you add love to it, that’s all you need.

What are some of the best ways to get involved? For you and for other people.

Okay. Start with your community. What is your community need, what needs improvement? What can you do to help create equality? There are Facebook pages that you can get involved in; social media is a huge platform where unfortunately people use it for blame, they use it for hatred, but social media is one of the quickest ways where you can reach someone from California to Australia, the North Pole to China. Wherever it is, you can create a really huge community with the platform of social media and there are so many pages you can get involved in. Whether it’s animal rights, equal rights, whether it’s black lives matter. Whatever it is, you can get involved online as well. And then with that, you can start going to protests, you can start signing petitions, you can start creating petitions!

Was there a moment when you were thinking “I really want to get involved but I don’t know what or how,” or did you always know you wanted to become an activist?

I’ve always wanted to be involved in activism, but I didn’t realize it could be at such a large scale that it is now. I didn’t really want to be in the spotlight as much when I was younger. You know, I said, “I’ll be a nurse or I’ll be an astronaut,” and I would do the activism on the side. But then I realized “you know, I was given a platform, I might as well do something with it. Why not use the fame for the activism?” So my job now is basically equal, if not less, than my activism.

It’d be so easy. Not to be an activist. But to overlook the real, raw talent that Paris Jackson has had in her from a very young age. At the time of the interview, she was just 19 years old. And yet, she did everything she could to be an influential figure in the world. That’s exactly what makes her more than just a pretty face. That’s what makes her more than just the King of Pop’s daughter.