"The other children I'm thinking about while watching the Michael Jackson documentary."

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As I’ve watched the truth intensify after the release of the Michael Jackson abuse allegations in Leaving Neverland, there’s one thing I can’t help but think about. Well, three things actually; Jackson’s children, Prince Michael, 22, Paris, 20, and Blanket Jackson, 17.

In particular the singer’s only daughter, Paris. She’s been devastated by the allegations against her legendary father.

Paris was only 11-years-old when her father died by medication-related homicide. Now, a decade later, a documentary has been released, telling the story of Wade Robson, 36, and James Safechuck, 40, who allege that Jackson began sexually abusing them at ages seven and 10, respectively.

But Paris is having none of it. In a series of Tweets this week, she’s defended her dad.

The bigger picture is your father’s legacy ruined and his name smeared forever but whatever though

— omerta (@omertaamor) March 7, 2019

i didn’t mean to offend by expressing that titties should be calm, i know injustices are frustrating and it’s easy to get worked up. but reacting with a calm mind usually is more logical than acting out of rage and also…. it feels better to mellow out.

— Paris-Michael K. J. (@ParisJackson) March 7, 2019

“I know injustices are frustrating and it’s easy to get worked up,” she wrote in one tweet. “But reacting with a calm mind usually is more logical than acting out of rage.”

When she tweeted that her fans should “think about the bigger picture,” one person responded that “the bigger picture is your father’s legacy ruined and his name smeared forever but whatever though.”

Paris tweeted back, saying, “do you really think that it’s possible to tear his name down ? Do you truly believe they stand a chance ? Relax and have peace.”

It’s understandable that Paris wants to protect her iconic father’s name – especially considering the heinous nature of the allegations.  She wants people to only remember that her father revolutionised music, and dance, for billions of people, across multiple generations.

Yes, it’s instinctive for Paris to feel like that; but also, to think the alternative would be almost unbearable for her.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

happy birthday my darling gooko you have grown into such a strong and brave and handsome young man and there are no words to express my gratitude for you and how proud i am of all the things you do. you are the greatest big brother anyone could ever ask for, you are my rock, my anchor, my ride or die. i know you know all of this and it’s a lil unnecessary cuz we’ve got that weird but cool twin telepathy shit goin’ on but the gram will be the gram so here you go. i love you with all of my heart and soul til the sun goes black and even after that ♥️

A post shared by Paris-Michael K. Jackalope (@parisjackson) on Feb 13, 2019 at 5:56pm PST

Jackson’s alleged victims have a right to speak, and be believed. But that doesn’t mean the details – their truth – would be easy for his children to hear.

Deep down inside, in her quiet, private moments, Paris might have had tiny seeds of doubt. She might have had times when she wondered if there’s more to the man who was the King of Pop – and the king of her world.

But it’s clear where Paris’ loyalty lies, especially in what she sees as the absence of definitive proof.

This week, as a Jackson fan, I feel crushed. I feel like this is his second death.  I’m remembering how so much of my childhood, youth, and life is tied to the singer and his music.

If I feel like this – if I feel devastated learning of another side to a person I idolised – what must be the impact on Paris?

 

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my one source of strength. the only thing keeping me going. my love, my light, my archangel.

A post shared by Paris-Michael K. Jackalope (@parisjackson) on Jun 9, 2018 at 3:59am PDT

This is a fact: without a court trial, we will never have a legal verdict on Jackson’s culpability. What’s less certain is whether Michael Jackson’s reputation and legacy will survive in the eyes of the world.

But it seems it will most certainly live on in the eyes of his only daughter.

Listen to The Quicky, Mamamia’s daily news podcast, discuss the Michael Jackson allegations.

If you’d like to hear more from Nama Winston, see her stories here, and subscribe to her weekly Mamamia Parents newsletter here.

Read more on this topic:

Without us noticing, it looks like Michael Jackson groomed us for decades.

The signs Michael Jackson was grooming the children he was close to that so many missed.

“It wasn’t going to mean anything”: Why Michael Jackson married Lisa Marie Presley.

‘Blanket’ Jackson was just seven when his father died. This week he stopped talking.

The two boys who followed Wade Robson into Michael Jackson’s bed insist they weren’t abused.

Debbie Rowe says she gifted Michael Jackson two children because he was a ‘wonderful man’.

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