Paris Jackson is standing firm in the face of online backlash after critics slammed her for performing on the upcoming anniversary of her father Michael Jackson’s death.
The 27-year-old singer and daughter of the late pop icon fired back at fans in a fiery Instagram Story (now expired), making it clear she won’t be apologizing for doing her job—especially one she doesn’t even control the schedule for.
“So people are mad again,” she began, referring to the fact that she’s slated to perform on June 25—the day her legendary father passed away in 2009. “One of the dates I’m supposed to be going out on tour happens to be June 25, which is a very negative anniversary for me in my life and my family.”
“I Don’t Pick the Dates”
Paris is joining Incubus and Manchester Orchestra on their Morning View + The Hits tour as an opening act, and she emphasized that she had no say in the scheduling.
“When you’re not headlining these shows, you don’t pick what date you perform.”
She also shut down assumptions that she’s living large on tour.
“It’s just me and my acoustic guitar and my sound guy, who happens to be my fiancé. So we’re gonna be in a soccer mom van.”
She’s Not Backing Down
To those urging her to skip the date out of “respect,” Paris had a blunt response:
“So I’m gonna tell ‘em, ‘Sorry guys, we can’t perform on this date?’… F* you.**”
Defending Her Grief
Paris later reposted a powerful message from a fan account that read in part:
“It is unacceptable to judge someone else’s pain and grief based on information from the internet… June 25 may intensify our pain as fans, but she lives with the loss of her father daily.”
Her only response? A simple: “thx fam.”
Tour Continues Amid Emotional Milestone
Paris’s Nashville stop on June 25, which marks 16 years since Michael Jackson’s passing, is just one of many on the tour across the U.S. and U.K.
Despite the controversy, she’s staying focused on the music and honoring her father’s legacy in her own way—on her own terms.
A Life Beyond the Headlines
Paris has also made headlines recently for her relationship with fiancé Justin Long (not the actor). The two met in 2022 and built their romance from a professional partnership. In a heartfelt birthday tribute last year, she described him as her “sweet blue” and “perfect” life partner.
Justin, who transitioned into music full-time in 2013, has worked with artists like Grace Potter and Sleater-Kinney. He’ll be right beside Paris on tour—as both her sound guy and soon-to-be husband.
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Bottom Line?
Paris Jackson isn’t here to perform grief on demand. She’s here to perform music—and she’s not asking for permission.
