Paris Jackson yearns for fellow recovering addicts to know they are far from alone on their arduous journeys. The sole daughter of the late Michael Jackson offered a poignant glimpse into her own path to sobriety, extending a beacon of hope to those navigating their own recoveries. She received the Shining Star Award at the Friendly House Awards Luncheon on October 11, in recognition of her unwavering commitment to the organization, which tirelessly supports women grappling with drug and alcohol addiction, trauma, and myriad other challenges.
"I'm profoundly grateful to be part of a movement that resonates so deeply with my higher purpose and the very core of my daily sanctuary," Paris, now 27, shared passionately in her speech, as reported by People. "Guiding someone towards conscious contact has undoubtedly been the most profound act I've ever undertaken, and I fervently pray that I can continue to uplift others."
The singer, who has been candid about her battles with alcohol and heroin addiction, articulated the profound significance of embracing life's myriad ups and downs. In January, Paris celebrated a monumental achievement: five years of sobriety after waging a relentless war against her addictions to alcohol and heroin.
"I didn't merely reclaim my life; I discovered a far better one," Paris continued with a reflective smile. "It's almost comical, but I feel like achieving sobriety was akin to surviving a car crash. Everything I had hastily stashed in the backseat suddenly catapulted forward upon impact, and now I'm learning to navigate life on its own unpredictable terms."
Indeed, she recently surmounted a significant milestone: five years of unwavering sobriety. "To say that I'm thankful would be a gross understatement. Gratitude barely scratches the surface of what I feel," Paris penned on Instagram in January. "It's because I'm sober that I get to revel in the simple joys today. I get to create music. I get to cherish the love for my dogs and cat. I get to experience heartbreak in all its raw intensity. I get to grieve. I get to laugh until my sides ache. I get to dance with abandon. I get to trust wholeheartedly. I feel the sun's warmth caressing my skin."
She went on, "I've come to realize that life persists, regardless of whether I'm sober or not. But today, I choose to show up for it, fully present and unapologetically alive."
