Paris Jackson Opens Up About ‘Ruined’ Life and Perforated Septum After Years of Addiction
A candid revelation
At 27, singer-model and daughter of Michael Jackson, Paris Jackson, has shared a stark update on the long-term consequences of her past substance abuse. In a video posted on social media on November 10, she revealed she has a perforated septum—a hole in the cartilage between her nostrils—explaining that it’s the result of her former drug use.
The condition in her own words
In the clip, Paris describes how the perforation causes a “really loud whistle” when she breathes through her nose. She shone her phone’s flashlight up one nostril to illustrate the hole and noted:
“That is from what you think it’s from… Don’t do drugs, kids.”
She stressed she’s been living with the condition since about age 20 and made clear she does not intend to undergo corrective surgery, citing her ongoing sobriety as a key reason. She said:
“You have to take pills when you do a surgery that gnarly and I don’t want to f— with that.”
Sobriety and advocacy
Paris also reflected on her journey to sobriety. She marked five years clean in January 2025 and now describes the path as transformative:
“I didn’t just get my life back. I got a better one.”
She recently accepted the Shining Star Award from the women’s rehab organisation Friendly House in Los Angeles. In her acceptance speech she compared getting sober to “getting into a car accident” — something that forces long-repressed issues to the surface.
Also read: The Must-Watch TV Shows and Breakout Stars Capturing the Gen Z Zeitgeist in the US and UK
From legacy to personal reality
Growing up in the shadow of her father Michael Jackson’s towering legacy, Paris has previously spoken openly about mental-health struggles, appearance scrutiny, and the pressure of public attention. Her latest disclosure adds an unvarnished layer of reality: the physical, visible impact of addiction that remains years into recovery.
Why this matters
The story resonates on several levels:
- Physical consequence of substance abuse: The perforated septum is a medically recognised outcome tied to drug-use behaviours, particularly those involving nasal inhalation.
- Recovery still ongoing: It underscores that sobriety is not simply a clean date, but an ongoing commitment with visible after-effects.
- Celebrity transparency: Paris’s willingness to show the condition publicly — and link it to her past — contributes to greater awareness about addiction’s long reach.
- Avoidance of surgery for sobriety reasons: Her decision to forego corrective surgery highlights how individuals in recovery weigh medical decisions based on risk of relapse via prescription medications.
Also read: The Gen Z Actors Who Are Digital Superstars
What’s next?
Paris has hinted that she is working on new music, and her live performances have become increasingly intimate and stripped-down. The health disclosure may feed into artistic material that emphasises honesty, healing, and identity beyond celebrity legacy.
Also read: Chalamet Serves Up Chaos: The Electric New Trailer for Josh Safdie’s ‘Marty Supreme’ Drops
FAQ
What is a perforated septum?
A perforated septum is a hole in the nasal septum — the cartilage and bone structure that separates the two nostrils. It can cause symptoms like whistling when breathing, crusting, nosebleeds or reduced airflow.
How can drug use lead to a perforated septum?
Chronic snorting of substances — especially irritants or vasoconstricting drugs — can damage the blood supply and tissue integrity of the nasal septum. Over time this can result in cartilage dying and a hole forming.
Why is Paris Jackson choosing not to have surgery?
Paris says she has been sober for nearly six years and does not want to jeopardise her recovery by taking pain-killer medications or undergoing the postoperative treatment that comes with a “gnarly” surgery.
How is Paris Jackson doing now in terms of her recovery?
She marked five years of sobriety in January 2025 and has spoken about how the recovery process has not only restored her life but improved it. She is engaged in advocacy around addiction and serves as a role model for others in recovery.
Does the septum hole limit her ability to perform or work?
Paris noted in her video that the condition “is a b— when you’re in the studio,” particularly affecting her breathing and perhaps recording sessions.
Source:
- https://people.com/paris-jackson-reveals-her-perforated-septum-says-drugs-ruined-her-life-11847264?utm_source=chatgpt.com
- https://nypost.com/2025/11/11/entertainment/paris-jackson-says-she-has-perforated-septum-from-drug-use/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
- https://www.sfchronicle.com/entertainment/article/paris-jackson-san-francisco-21158683.php?utm_source=chatgpt.com