In the wake of her late father's shock child abuse allegations, Dr Sharrie Coombes reveals how his daughter will cope
She remained defiant about her father Michael Jackson, insisting the late pop legend had a “good heart” amid shocking new claims made last week that he sexually abused young boys. And Paris Jackson refuted claims that she was worried about her career in light of the allegations, saying everyone took her “life more seriously than I do”.
The Leaving Neverland documentary featured Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who were friends with Michael as children and claim he sexually abused them from the ages of seven and 10 – leaving many fans sickened by their graphic and detailed accounts.
CHECK OUT Michael Jackson through the decades
Michael Jackson through the decades - stacked
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Michael Jackson (bottom right) with his brothers Jermaine, Jackie, Tito and Marlon as The Jackson 5.
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Michael poses in a New York City apartment in the late '70s.
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Jackson performs at Madison Square Garden during The Bad Tour in March 1988.
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Michael Jackson plays London's Wembley Stadium in 1990.
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Jackson testifies at Santa Maria Superior Court in November 2002 in a trial in which he is accused of cancelling concert appearances, costing the promoter millions of dollars.
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In his last public appearance, Jackson announces his This Is It Tour residency at a press conference at London's O2 Arena. Here, he confirmed he would play an initial run of 10 dates at the arena the following July (2009).
The fresh allegations against Michael – who was acquitted of child molestation in 2005 – caused bitter divides on social media. TV host Ellen DeGeneres Tweeted, “I hope everyone watches this” while singer John Legend posted, “I don’t see any reason not to believe them honestly, I don’t see any reason not to. I mean, it was disgusting.”
Other stars hit back in his defence, with Oliver! child star Mark Lester – a former friend of Michael’s who has claimed he is Paris’ biological father – writing, “This is not the Michael Jackson I knew for over 30 years. This is not the man that my children knew.”
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And Family and Adult psychotherapist Dr Sharie Coombes tells Closer Paris, 20, and her siblings Prince, 22, and Blanket, 17, will be struggling with fallout from the claims.
She says, “Paris has grown up with a hugely famous father and that is conflicting in itself. When the world viewed him as a God-like icon, she likely saw him as her father who, like every human, was flawed. And now, when many people have turned against him, she’ll understandably feel conflicted as she sees him as the man she adored.
“Paris and her siblings may feel this is something they can never escape. Even if Michael is found innocent of the crimes alleged in this documentary, others may come forward as this is such a high-profile case.”
Paris – who reconciled her relationship with estranged mother Debbie Rowe in 2013 – has publicly struggled since her father’s death in 2009. In June 2013, following a battle with depression and a drug addiction, she tried to take her own life. She claimed in an interview with Rolling Stone that she had tried to take her life “multiple times before”.
She’s previously remained defiant over allegations against Michael – who was acquitted of child molestation claims in 2005 – insisting in 2017, “Nobody experienced him being a father to them. And if they did, the entire perception of him would be completely and forever changed.”
Dr Sharie adds, “Paris has struggled to cope since her dad’s death and I think what’s important is that she has people she can lean on. No matter what her father is accused of, it’s important for a child to hold on to the image of the parent they loved. She and her brothers should still be able to love him for the father they knew.”
Read even more in this week's Closer - out now.