A decade afterMichael Jackson’s death, his kids —Paris,Princeand Bigi (formerly known as Blanket) — are forging their own paths at a time when many are grappling with how to treat the late King of Pop’s complicated legacy.
In the years since their father’s fatal drug overdose in June 2009, the three kids have grown up under a microscope and watched as their occasional stumbles and personal struggles (likeParis' battles with depressionas a teen) have played out in the public eye.
“Things were very difficult for them after Michael passed away,” a family friend tells PEOPLE. “But it’s amazing to see how far they’ve come.”
Paris, Prince and Bigi Jackson.Donato Sardella/Getty; Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic; Prince Jackson/Instagram
Paris, 21, is now working as an actress, model and singer. Though she inked a lucrative modeling contract in 2017, her main focus at the moment is creating music with her boyfriend and Soundflowers bandmate,Gabriel Glenn.
“She is very excited about creating music,” the family friend says. “This is her passion. She wants to do more gigs with her band.”
Paris Jackson and boyfriend Gabriel Glenn.Gabriel Olsen/Getty Images
“Of all the kids, she is the one who really gets worked up and upset about any kind of negativity involving Michael,” the family friend says. “It’s very difficult for her to deal with. She knows her upbringing with Michael was different, but she thinks he was the best dad. She is very defensive about him.”
Paris Jackson.Gabriel Olsen/Getty Images
Leaving Neverlandwas released in January and focuses on the stories of two men, Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who claim that Michael sexually abused them both as children. Prior to his death, the star had repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, and he was acquitted in a child sex abuse case leveled against him in California in 2005.
Still, the documentary had a lasting impact on Michael’s legacy; according toThe Hollywood Reporter, sales of Jackson’s music, from both his solo career and his time with the Jackson 5, dipped. Additionally, several radio stations took Michael’s hits out of rotation and the star’s 2,700-acre Neverland Ranch (now renamed Sycamore Valley Ranch) was put on the market at 70 percent off its original list price.
In March, following ahospital stayin the wake ofLeaving Neverland, Paris vehementlydenied reportsthat she’d attempted suicide. Throughout the past couple of months, the family friend says Paris has been able to “peacefully focus on herself” and has remained close to her brothers.
Prince, Paris and Bigi Jackson in 2012.Lester Cohen/WireImage
“Prince and Bigi are best friends,” the family friend says. “They share a lot of interests like science and sci-fi.”
Prince and Bigi Jackson.Prince Jackson/Instagram
Days after his May graduation, Princeannouncedthat he and Bigi would be launching their ownmovie review YouTube channel. For their first video, they kicked things off with a review ofAvengers: Endgame.
“We are very excited to announce that we are starting a movie review channel. Right now you can go see our first ever video on my YouTube channel (link in bio),” Prince, 22,wrote on Instagram, alongside a screenshot from the video.
Though Prince — who is currentlydating fellow LMU grad Molly Schirmang— graduated with a degree in business administration, a source close to the family says that he is eyeing a career as either a director or producer.
“He’s so charismatic and well-spoken, [so] he would be great in front of the camera as well as a host,” the source says. “He’s very easy-going and makes everyone around him feel immediately at ease.”
Despite the complicated state of their father’s legacy and the fallout fromLeaving Neverland, the kids “are all in a good place at this 10-year mark,” the source says.
For more on the Jackson kids' lives now, pick up this week’s issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday.
source: people.com
