At 23, Bigi Jackson Finally Reveals the Truth About Michael Jackson—and It’s Not What You Think

For most of his life, Bigi Jackson—formerly known to the public as “Blanket”—has remained one of the most enigmatic members of the Jackson family. While the world watched his older siblings, Prince and Paris, grow up under the scrutiny of paparazzi and tabloids, Bigi grew up in relative seclusion. But now, at 23, he’s stepping into the light—and what he has to say about his late father, Michael Jackson, is both deeply personal and surprisingly complex.

Born on February 21, 2002, via surrogate, Bigi’s early life was marked by intense secrecy. Michael never revealed the identity of Bigi’s biological mother, adding to the intrigue. He was given the nickname “Blanket” by his father, a term Michael described as a symbol of love and protection. “A blanket is a blessing,” he once said. But not everyone understood this, and the nickname often became a source of confusion or ridicule.

One infamous moment that defined Bigi’s childhood in the public eye occurred in 2002, when Michael held the infant over a hotel balcony railing in Berlin. It was meant to excite fans but instead triggered global outrage. Though Michael later apologized, saying he was caught up in the moment and never meant to endanger his child, the damage to his public image was done—and Bigi’s image was cemented in headlines before he could speak a word.

Growing up at Neverland Ranch, Bigi lived in a world few children could imagine—an estate filled with amusement rides, a zoo, movie theaters, and sprawling gardens. The estate was built as a private haven, a magical place where Michael hoped his children could be safe from the chaos of fame. On the surface, it was a dream. But underneath, things were more complicated.

Michael Jackson’s career never slowed down, not even after he became a father. As a result, Bigi rarely experienced traditional parenting. Instead, he was raised by a team of nannies, bodyguards, and house staff. Michael was often away—on tour, in the studio, or locked in meetings. While there were moments of affection, the day-to-day parenting came mostly from others.

Through it all, Bigi’s greatest sources of stability were his siblings, Prince and Paris. They formed a close, unbreakable bond—each other’s anchors in a world of luxury, secrecy, and constant surveillance. “In that situation, you build a bond with your siblings because no one else really understands how you grew up,” Prince once said.

But the comfort of sibling companionship couldn’t fill the growing emotional void Bigi felt. Despite having everything materially, he lacked a consistent connection with the father he admired. And when Michael Jackson passed away in June 2009, that absence became permanent. Bigi was only seven years old.

At the public memorial, all eyes were on the Jackson children. Paris, tearful, told the crowd, “Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine.” But Bigi remained silent, his face unreadable. Inside, he was grappling with grief—and questions he didn’t yet know how to voice.

After Michael’s death, Bigi went to live with his grandmother Katherine Jackson in Calabasas, California. He was surrounded by family and given structure for the first time—regular meals, routines, and adults who were consistently present. His aunt Janet Jackson also stepped in to provide care and stability. Yet, the absence of his father lingered.

As Bigi matured, his understanding of his father came mostly through secondary sources: documentaries, interviews, old video clips, and family anecdotes. Reconciling the public icon with the distant father he barely knew proved to be emotionally challenging.

In 2015, at age 13, Bigi made a quiet but significant decision: he changed his name. Moving away from “Blanket” was not about rejecting his father’s love—it was about reclaiming his own identity. To the world, “Blanket” was a curiosity. To Bigi, it felt like a label he never asked for. Changing his name to Bigi was his first act of independence.

Around the same time, Bigi began asking for more privacy. He chose to skip public events, attend school under a different name, and live more like a regular teenager. He rarely spoke about his father, even with close friends. Yet, he immersed himself in film and storytelling—a quiet homage to Michael, who had been more than just a performer; he was, as Bigi once said, “a storyteller.”

Despite the shadow of Michael’s legacy looming large, Bigi charted his own path. He explored filmmaking, stayed out of the public eye, and focused on understanding himself—outside of the fame he was born into. He didn’t deny who his father was, but he also didn’t let it define his entire being.

In a rare recent interview, Bigi finally broke his silence about his upbringing. He didn’t offer a tribute, nor a defense. What he shared wasn’t polished or rehearsed—it was raw. He spoke of the loneliness, the confusion, and the journey of figuring out who he is beyond the headlines.

For years, the world tried to understand Michael Jackson through the lens of fame, scandal, and speculation. Now, through Bigi’s words, we glimpse a more intimate legacy—not of a superstar, but of a father whose complexities and contradictions still echo through the lives of his children.

Bigi’s story isn’t over. In fact, it may just be beginning. And for the first time, he’s telling it in his own voice.