Paris Jackson, the new It girl .

Michael Jackson’s daughter Paris is Hollywood’s new It girl

WHAT a difference a few years makes! Not too long ago the radiant-looking young woman regularly gracing the red carpet was actually so depressed she tried to take her own life – but Paris Jackson has learnt to embrace the celebrity status she was born into. In fact, she’s thriving. Michael Jackson’s only daughter is Hollywood’s latest It girl – a budding model and up-and-coming actress who’s graced the covers of glossy fashion bibles such as Harper’s Bazaar and Teen Vogue.

In March the 19-year-old signed a contract with IMG Models, a top-notch agency that also represents South African-born Victoria’s Secret model Candice Swanepoel and now has American sisters Gigi and Bella Hadid on its books.

In the same month Paris made her acting debut doing a guest appearance in TV series Star, a musical drama created by Lee Daniels, the man behind the hit series Empire. She’s also bagged a part in a still-untitled new action comedy opposite Charlize Theron and Sharlto Copley.

Paris turned heads at the recent star-studded Met Gala in New York where she was a guest of fashion house Calvin Klein, which is rumoured to have offered her a seven-figure sum to be its new face.

You might be tempted to think Paris is falling back on her famous surname to kick-start her career – but a source says while being a Jackson helped her get a foot in the door, she’s doing things her way and isn’t leaning on her family for advice. Anything but, in fact.

“Paris has realised a lot of what her dad experienced with his family – bitterness, jealousy, manipulation, even hate,” a close friend says.

But there’s one person she turns to for advice: older brother Prince (20).

“For a time Paris wanted to honour her father by becoming a singer,” the confidante says. “Prince told her [Elvis’ daughter and Michael’s exwife] Lisa Marie Presley wanted to do the same but failed, and he didn’t want Paris to fail too. He told her folks would be comparing her to Michael – and you can’t compare anyone favourably to Michael. He told her not only could she be a model but a supermodel.”

These words may well be prophetic. Here’s a look at Paris’ path to fame.