Paris Jackson Shares Sweet Reason Dad Michael Jackson Picked Elizabeth Taylor to Be Her Godmother

Michael Jackson did not want his daughter Paris Jackson to feel alone.

That's why he chose Elizabeth Taylor to be her godmother, so she would have an older woman in her life who knew what it was like "growing up in the spotlight," according to Paris.

"There's definitely a part of him that knew that we would have a very similar experience," the 26-year-old shared in the first episode of the BBC docuseries Elizabeth Taylor: Rebel Superstar. "I was homeschooled and because of that, I don't know what it was like to be around other kids my age."

She added, "And I think it was just the same for her."

Indeed, Elizabeth—who passed away in March 2011, nearly two years after Michael's June 2009 death—spent a majority of her childhood in the spotlight. The daughter of actress Sara Sothern and art dealer Francis Lenn Taylor, Elizabeth made her acting debut in 1939 at just 7 years old.

And throughout her life, the Oscar winner had a close friendship with Michael. In fact, she attended the "Thriller" singer's 2009 memorial in support of Paris and her brothers Prince Jackson, 27, and Bigi Jackson, 22.

As for Paris' godfather? That role belongs to Macaulay Culkin, who was also at Michael's memorial.

"I am close with Paris," the Home Alone alum told WTF with Marc Maron in 2018. "She is beloved by me."

At the time, Macaulay cautioned host Marc Maron that he's "very protective" of their relationship, so he'd rather not share too many details about Paris' upbringing.

"She’s tall, and beautiful and smart," he added. "It’s great."

Since then, the two have only strengthened their bond. In 2021, Paris told E! News that her godfather even helped her nail her auditions for American Horror Stories.

"He said overdo it at certain points," she explained. "Overact and kind of make it theatrical."

And when it was time to film the horror spinoff, the actress—whose mom is Debbie Rowe—sent Macaulay a selfie of her gory costume, to which he replied with a photo taken from his bloody shoot for American Horror Story: Double Feature.

As Paris jokingly put it, "It was cute."

To see Paris and her siblings through the years, keep reading.

Prince, Paris and Bigi attend the red carpet for the opening night of MJ: The Musical in March 2024.

Bigi appears with his brother Prince and friends at the Santa Monica Film Festival in February 2024. Michael's youngest son had won the award for Best Drama for his short film Rochelles, his directorial and screenwriting debut.

Prince and Bigi appear at their family's annual Thriller Night celebration in 2022.

Prince and Paris attend the Michael Jackson Diamond Birthday Celebration at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

Prince and Paris appear together at the 2022 Harold and Carole Pump Foundation Gala at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. in August 2022.

Prince and Paris appear in a YouTube video in 2021.

Prince and Bigi appear at their family's annual Thriller Night celebration in 2019.

The two pose at Prince Jackson's Heal LA and TLK Fusion Present The 2nd Annual Costume For A Cause at Jackson Family Home on Oct. 27, 2017.

Walking hand-in-hand, the two attend the mothers2mothers and The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation Benefit Dinner on October 24, 2017 in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Prince wrote, "It was an honor to be a part of @officialsiggyjackson wedding with my sis @parisjackson."

The sibling showed off their silly side over the summer on Instragram.

The trio of siblings arrived at the Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour in Los Angeles on January 27, 2012. 

Prince and Paris attend the hand and footprint ceremony at Graumann's Chinese Theater in Los Angeles January 26, 2012.

Bigi, Prince Jackson and Paris appear together at the hand and footprint ceremony.

The duo stood together as they attended the press conference for Goin' Back To Indiana: Can You Feel It at the Majestic Star Hotel Lakeshore Ballroom on August 29, 2012 in Gary, Indiana. 

On Aug. 30, 2012, the siblings attended the St. Paul Saints Vs. The Gary SouthShore RailCats baseball game at U.S. Steel Yard in their father's hometown of Gary, Indiana.

The trio appeared on stage during the memorial service for their father at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on July 7, 2009.

The kids celebrate together with dad in this throwback pic shared by Prince.

Prince shared this family photo on what would have been Michael's 64th birthday on Instagram.

Prince, Paris and Bigi, then nicknamed Blanket, appear with their dad in this throwback pic the eldest of his children shared on what would have been his 64th birthday in 2022.