Paris Jackson has celebrated five years of sobriety, saying 'it's because I'm sober I get to smile today'. The 26-year-old, who is the daughter of the late Michael Jackson, shared the update on Instagram, saying 'today marks 5 years clean & sober from all drugs and alcohol'.
'To say that I’m thankful would be a poor euphemism,' she wrote in the caption on Tuesday, adding, 'gratitude hardly scratches the surface. It’s because I’m sober that I get to smile today.'
The singer-songwriter and model detailed all of the new joys she can now experience because of being sober, including making music, loving animals and experiencing emotions. She shared, 'I get to make music. I get to experience the joy of loving my dogs and cat. i get to feel heartbreak in all it’s glory. I get to grieve. I get to laugh. I get to dance. I get to trust. I feel the sun on my skin and it’s warm. I’ve found that life keeps happening regardless of whether I’m sober or not, but today i get to show up for it.'
She shared the update alongside a video that she wrote shows 'what has been possible because of my sobriety'. It starts off with her drinking, and appearing to party and look upset, before going onto her looking happy and dancing with others.
The response to her post was overwhelmingly positive, with her aunt La Toya Jackson commenting, 'Congratulations Paris!!! I’m so, so, so proud of you and your growth your strength and accomplishments.' The singer added that Paris was 'helping others that are going through this'.
Paris Hilton also commented, 'so proud of you sis', while actress Lucy Hale shared, 'You’re amazing amazing amazing'.
Her father, Michael Jackson, died in 2009 in LA when she was 11. Her brothers Prince Jackson and Bigi (who was known as Blanket) Jackson were 12 and seven years old at the time.
On June 16, 2021, Paris appeared on the Facebook video series Red Table Talk and was interviewed by Willow Smith. She shared her experiences of PTSD from being followed by paparazzi, and shared that music and therapy helped her.
Last year the singer announced her engagement to music producer Justin Long.