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Paris Jackson Details Childhood With Dad Michael Jackson at Neverland
Growing up at Neverland wasn’t as much of a thriller as fans might have thought.
Indeed, Paris Jackson shared insight into the time she spent on dad Michael Jackson’s California ranch as a kid. Named after the fictional paradise in Peter Pan, Neverland featured a private amusement park, a zoo, movie theater and train station.
“I didn't grow up there,” Paris clarified during her appearance on the Aug. 12 episode of Call Her Daddy. “It was only the first few years of my life that I was there.”
But despite the many offerings that seem as though they were taken straight from a child’s daydream, Paris revealed she and her brothers Prince Jackson and Bigi Jackson (formerly Blanket) didn’t spend much time enjoying the home’s extra features.
Instead, “I'd wake up and I'd go to school,” Paris, who was homeschooled at Neverland, explained. “I'd wake up and we go to the room that was our classroom and we would go to school.”
As the 28-year-old explained, “It was made very, very clear that all of the attractions there were not for us, that did not belong to us. That was for underprivileged children and children that were terminally ill that couldn't go to Disneyland.”
Indeed, during his tenure at the ranch, the King of Pop often opened the doors of the estate to allow access for underserved groups to enjoy the rides and animals.
Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Fashion Trust US
“The cool, like very congruent line throughout my childhood that kind of started there,” Paris explained, “and then just continued on wherever we went, was if you're good and you do your chores and you do your homework, and you do the things that you're supposed to do, then on the weekends you can go see some animals and you can go ride some rides and you can go to the movies.”
“Same thing with like television,” she added, “like we weren't allowed to watch television or movies and stuff either unless we were studying it for film with the sound off. Or, it was on the weekends if we had done everything we were supposed to.”
So, despite the belief that Paris spent the first seven years of her life gallivanting around amusement parks, that wasn’t quite the case.
“It would’ve been cool, but no,” Paris admitted, before quipping, “I probably would have grown up to be an a--hole."
Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures
Another way the Jackson family tried to instill a sense of normalcy was having his three kids wear masks and cover their faces when out in public. While the move frustrated the public at the time, Paris said doing so never bothered her.
“It just it made sense,” she recalled, “because it was like, ‘Oh yeah, if you do this now, then you can go to Chuck-E-Cheese and be normal this weekend because no one will know who you are.’ Like that made sense to me.”
Michael passed away in 2009 at the age of 50. At the time, Paris was 11, Prince was 12 and Bigi was 7.
And though there years together were short, Paris still remembers her dad as a “really funny guy.”
As she put it, “That was my best friend.”
For a closer look at the lives Michael’s kids have lived in the spotlight, read on.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Lionsgate
Thriller Night
Michael Jackson's eldest son Prince Jackson (second from left) joined uncle Marlon Jackson, cousin Jaafar Jackson and his dad's siblings Jackie Jackson, La Toya Jackson and Jermaine Jackson at the April 20, 2026 premiere of Michael in Los Angeles.
Andreas Rentz/Getty Images for Universal Pictures
Not alone
Bigi Jackson (second from right) was here with older brother Prince and uncles Marlon and Jackie at Michael's April 10, 2026 showing in Berlin.
Prince Jackson/Instagram
The Way She Makes Him Feel
Molly Schirmang is very much Prince's lover. Announcing their engagement in August 2025, Prince reflected on their eight years together. "Molly and I have spent a lot of time together and made incredible memories," he wrote on Instagram. "We’ve traveled the world, graduated and grown so much together. I’m excited for this next chapter in our lives as we continue to grow and make great memories."
Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images
Rare Red Carpet Appearance
Paris Jackson joined brothers Prince and Bigi at the opening night of MJ: The Musical in March 2024.
Instagram / Prince Jackson
Winning Moves
After making his directorial and screenwriting debut with his short film Rochelles, Bigi turned up to the Santa Monica Film Festival in February 2024 with brother Prince and some friends to accept the award for Best Drama.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Happy Halloween
Prince and Bigi appeared at their family's annual Thriller Night celebration in 2022.
Gabe Ginsberg/FilmMagic
Diamond Birthday Celebration
Prince and Paris attended the August 2018 Michael Jackson Diamond Birthday Celebration at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.
Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images
All Glammed Up
Prince and Paris made it a family night out at the 2022 Harold and Carole Pump Foundation Gala at Los Angeles' Beverly Hilton in August 2022.
YouTube
Brother & Sister
Proving he's always in her heart, Paris appeared with Prince in a 2021 YouTube video.
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
Brothers' Night Out
Jackson brothers, assemble. A hockey jersey-clad Prince and Bigi (in a Captain America shirt) attended the family's annual Thriller Night celebration in 2019.
Gabriel Olsen/FilmMagic
Strike a Pose
A costumed Paris and Prince posed at his October 2017 costume party at the Jackson family estate.
Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images
Sibling Love
Walking hand-in-hand, Prince and Paris attended the October 2017 mothers2mothers and The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation Benefit Dinner in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Family Photo
"It was an honor," Prince wrote on Instagram of attending cousin Siggy Jackson's September 2017 wedding with Paris.
VALERIE MACON/AFP/Getty Images
Step and Repeat
The trio of siblings arrived at the January 2012 Cirque du Soleil production, Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour in Los Angeles.
Mark Sullivan/WireImage
Hand in Hand
Prince and Paris put their best foot forward at a January 2012 hand and footprint ceremony at Graumann's Chinese Theater in Los Angeles.
Mark Sullivan/WireImage
Honoring Dad
Bigi, Prince and Paris sat together for the ceremony.
Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images
Meet the Press
Returning to their dad's roots, Prince and Paris posed at the August 2012 press conference for the Goin' Back To Indiana: Can You Feel It tour in Gary, Ind.
Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images
Seventh Inning Stretch
During that same trip to Michael's hometown, Paris and Prince watched the Gary SouthShore RailCats take on the St. Paul Saints.
MARK J. TERRILL/AFP/Getty Images
Remembering Dad
Attending Michael's July 2009 memorial service at L.A.'s Staples Center, the siblings leaned on one another.
Birthday Tribute
On Aug. 29, 2022 Prince honored his dad's birthday by sharing a carousel of family photos on Instagram.
Family Memories
"Happy birthday to the greatest!" Prince wrote, recognizing what would have been Michael's 64th birthday.
Jackson Family
The way he made them feel? "Miss you more and more," Prince wrote in the 2022 Instagram tribute, "but I love you more and more with each day."
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