Paris Jackson’s Friends ‘Doing Everything They Can to Lift Her Spirits’ Amid ‘Really Hard’ Time of Year (Exclusive)

Paris Jackson was spotted crying in Malibu weeks after the anniversary of her father Michael Jackson’s death.

As she juggles her career, wedding planning and this “really hard” time of year, a source exclusively tells the National Enquirer that pals have been loyally rallying around her.

“She still misses her dad so much, and the anniversary of his death brings back terrible memories,” the source says of the King of Pop’s passing on June 25, 2009. Paris was 11 years old at the time. “Her entire life changed overnight and she still feels the loss every day.”

Calling her “incredibly sensitive,” the source explains that Paris, 27, “tries to stay strong,” but her grief is “right at the surface.”

“Her friends know to keep an eye on her around this time, and they’re doing everything they can to lift her spirits,” continues the source. “Paris is doing her best to keep his memory alive. She listens to his music, lights candles and talks to him. She believes his spirit is with her and protecting her.”

This emotional time of year comes as Jackson is planning her wedding to music producer Justin Long. The happy couple sparked a romance in 2022 and announced that they were engaged in December 2024.

“Doing life with you these last years has been an indescribable whirlwind and I couldn’t dream of anyone more perfect for me to do it all with,” she wrote via Instagram at the time. “Thank you for letting me be yours. I love you.”

The pair have yet to publicly confirm a date for their big day, but in March, the American Horror Stories actress told Entertainment Tonight that they’d chosen an “absolutely wonderful” wedding planner and that they were “working on venues and dresses” next.

“It’s a big leap, you know?” she said of taking the next big step in life with Long. “It’s exciting and it’s thrilling … I know that I’m making the right choice, which is a good feeling.”

Noting that it’s important to her to find a way to “honor” her dad at her upcoming nuptials,” the source tells the Enquirer that the couple will most likely have photographs of the late pop star at the ceremony and reception.

“She will have something sentimental of his with her when she walks down the aisle,” the source adds. “He will be very much on her mind.”