Paris Jackson not only shocked fans with her confession last month that she suffered from a drug and alcohol addiction but also someone very close to her — Grandma Katherine.
According to The US Sun over the weekend, the 94-year-old knew the model “endured some tough times” but had no idea how much she had been struggling in the past. One family source revealed even though Katherine was Paris’ guardian following her dad Michael’s death in 2009 until she resigned in 2017, she was “totally unaware” her granddaughter battled alcohol and heroin addiction. The Star alum “hid the depth of drug addictions” from everyone, per the source. However, she did not hide them well enough.
Many of the family members reportedly had their suspicions Paris was going down a troubling path like her father — who died after receiving a lethal dose of propofol — but could never get confirmation. A second family member and sibling of the late pop star said:
“Michael spent much of his life after 1984 battling addictions to everything from painkillers to prescription drugs to narcotics. Paris has to deal with those demons. It is utterly heartbreaking. Her aunts and uncles were concerned about what kind of life she was leading, but the reality was that no-one could get close to her.”
Not even an intervention would work. The source continued:
“Just like Michael – an intervention was just not possible. She had her own friends, places to escape and money to hide away and lead this life. Everyone suspected something was wrong – apart from Katherine – but nothing could be done.”
Thankfully, Paris is sober now. She celebrated five years of sobriety in January. While marking the incredible milestone, she revealed she had been addicted to heroin, surprising many people — including Katherine. When the grandmother learned about her drug addiction, the insider shared that she was “devastated” and “rocked to her core”:
“Katherine was utterly devastated at her granddaughter’s admission on social media. She genuinely had no idea. Paris did not share that news with her grandmother, most likely because it would have tipped her over the edge. Katherine knew that Michael’s life was impacted by addictions, but always prayed that these issues were simply missteps in the path of life rather than long term problems. Now she has felt that there are clear parallels between Paris and her daddy.”
Oof.
What makes this so heartbreaking for Katherine is that she’s never gotten over the death of her son or the fact that he struggled with addiction. The source added:
“Obviously the notion that Paris has been clean for so long pleases her. But at the same time she knows that her soul still remains destroyed that Michael never managed to shake his addictions and reliance on drugs. Katherine is arguably still in denial about Michael’s death still to this day. She cannot fathom that her beloved son would ever be so addicted to such extreme drugs.”
Even though Paris is sober, the family cannot help but worry the similarities between her and Michael could become an issue later. The insider said:
“Now Paris has dealt with her own demons, Katherine is in shock….while her other kids fear that the resemblances between father and daughter could prove problematic in the long term.”
Hopefully, now that her family knows what Paris went through for years, they can support and help her continue on the path of sobriety.
Thoughts, Perezcious readers? Let us know in the comments below.
If you or someone you know is experiencing substance abuse, help is available. Consider checking out the resources SAMHSA provides at https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline or check out StartYourRecovery.org.
[Image via MEGA/Judy Eddy/WENN]
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