Paris Jackson Really, Really Loves Tattoos and Omer Bhatti

Photo: Instagram

At just 18, Paris Jackson boasts an eye-popping 23 tattoos — but she’s not about to apologize for her love of ink. On June 15, the teenager posted a sunny snap to her Instagram in which she flashed a sampling of the tats on her inner arms.

“The craftsmanship of tattoos will always be a controversy,” she wrote. “Some people like them, some people absolutely hate them. I appreciate art, I always have. Especially when that art means something to me.” She then spoke specifically about how these particular tattoos have changed her perspective. “Today I can look at my inner forearms and see art that has meaning for me, I don’t see a dark past anymore. My scars and past of self-hatred have been covered by loving marks, creativity, ingenuity.. and depth.”

While Paris acknowledged she would “always carry” her past with her, she argued that she sees “ink as a way of changing for the better, always improving. [The tattoos] represent strength for me.” She went on to detail how her self-image has morphed since she got the ink.

“I look back at my old self and then I look in the mirror, and I see a fighter looking back at me. I’ll always keep fighting, and encouraging others to stay strong. We all go through hell every now and then but it makes us the warriors of love we were meant to be. So to anyone struggling, it gets better. You’re not alone.”

Just one hour before this thoughtful post, Paris paid tribute to another love: Omer Bhatti. In honor of Bhatti’s 30th birthday, Paris shared a collage of pictures of the twosome over the years beside a sweet message.

“DIRTAY THIRTAYY!!!! I can’t say enough about this guy right here. I can honestly say he’s the one person that has always been there for me, through thick and thin, from the day I was born,” she began. She went on to call Bhatti — whom many speculate is Michael Jackson’s biological son — “the one constant” in her life and her "f***in brother.” (To be clear, that was a term of endearment.)

“I love you so much, dude,” Paris gushed. “You’ve impacted my life in more ways than you realize and I’m so thankful for the friendship, siblingship, and spiritual connection we’ve had for the past 18 years. You’re such a focused and hardworking hustler and you inspire me every day. There’s no one on this planet like you.” She finished her message with a smattering of emojis, ranging from an alien head to hands raised in the air.

ICYMI, seven years ago, Joe Jackson said, point-blank during a TV One interview, that Bhatti was, indeed, Michael Jackson’s estranged fourth child. “Yes, I knew he had another son, yes I did,” Joe confirmed at the time. “He looks like a Jackson. He can dance like a Jackson. This boy is a fantastic dancer — matter of fact, he teaches dance.” Dance skills as proof of paternity, anyone?