Paris Jackson, the 27-year-old daughter of the late music legend Michael Jackson, was recently spotted in Malibu looking visibly upset during a solitary walk. Wearing casual activewear, the singer and model appeared tearful and unable to hide her pain. This rare moment of vulnerability came just days after the emotional 16th anniversary of her father’s passing—a date that also stirred controversy when fans criticized her for performing on that very day.
During the walk, Paris wore a simple brown t-shirt, gray biking shorts, and chunky sneakers, with her platinum blonde hair tied back in a loose ponytail that framed her sorrowful face. She accessorized with multiple bracelets and layered necklaces. This wasn’t the first time she has appeared emotionally overwhelmed in public; just weeks earlier, she was photographed looking tense while out with her fiancé, 46-year-old Justin Long, also in Malibu.
Her distress likely stems from backlash online after she scheduled a tour performance on June 25, the anniversary of her father’s death in 2009 due to a Propofol overdose that caused cardiac arrest. Paris addressed the criticism on Instagram Stories, explaining that as an opening act for Incubus and Manchester Orchestra, she has no control over tour dates. She added with a touch of humor, “It’s not like I can just say, ‘Sorry, can’t play that day!’” She also described the modest nature of her tour setup—just her acoustic guitar, a microphone, and her fiancé as her sound engineer—all traveling in a “soccer mom van.”
Despite the harsh comments, Paris made it clear she would not cancel the tour, stating firmly, “I’m not stepping down. I volunteered for this.” She also shared a fan’s message defending her: “You can’t judge someone’s grief based on what you see online. June 25 may be difficult for fans, but for Paris, it’s a daily loss,” to which Paris responded warmly, “Thx fam.”
Outside of her music career, Paris’s relationship with Justin Long has drawn public interest. The couple began dating in 2022 after working together and announced their engagement in December 2023. In a heartfelt birthday post doubling as their engagement reveal, Paris wrote, “Happy birthday my sweet blue… These past few years have been a whirlwind, and I wouldn’t want to face life with anyone else.” Earlier this month, they were seen enjoying the California sun, with Paris sharing a topless lakeside photo and a cozy selfie captioned “Home sweet California,” referencing her upbringing at her father’s former Neverland Ranch.
Growing up in the public eye as Michael Jackson’s daughter, Paris has faced immense pressure while forging her own career in music and fashion. She shares a close bond with her siblings, Prince (28) and Bigi (23), with whom she attended “MJ: The Musical” in London this past March. As she continues to pursue her music amid personal grief, public scrutiny, and expectations, Paris’s recent tearful moment is a powerful reminder that even those who seem strong carry deep emotional struggles—especially when coping with a loss that never truly fades.
