Paris Jackson has secured a significant legal win in her ongoing dispute with the executors of Michael Jackson’s estate, John Branca and John McClain, over controversial payments made from the estate’s funds.
The 28-year-old singer and model, who became one of the primary beneficiaries of the late “King of Pop’s” estate alongside her brothers Prince and Bigi after Michael Jackson’s death in 2009, challenged $625,000 in bonuses that were paid to outside legal firms back in 2018. Following a judge’s ruling in her favor, the money will now be returned to the estate in a move aimed at increasing transparency and accountability in the management of the singer’s finances.
According to reports, a spokesperson for Paris described the ruling as a “massive win” for the Jackson family, saying she has always been focused on protecting her family’s interests. The spokesperson added that the decision would finally bring long-awaited transparency measures to the estate after years of delays.
The statement also took aim at estate co-executor John Branca, criticizing what they described as excessive spending and suggesting the estate should operate as a financially responsible entity that supports the Jackson family rather than funding Hollywood ambitions.
The comments appear to reference the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, which is being directed by Antoine Fuqua and financed in part by the estate. Miles Teller portrays Branca in the film. Paris previously distanced herself from the project, saying she had “zero per cent involvement” despite claims from cast members that the Jackson children supported it.
Last year, Paris publicly criticized the production after Colman Domingo, who plays her grandfather Joe Jackson, suggested that she and her brothers were fully behind the film. In response, she revealed that she had read an early draft of the script and shared concerns about aspects she felt were dishonest or inaccurate, but ultimately stepped away when those issues were not addressed.
Meanwhile, the biopic has already faced controversy over its handling of child sexual abuse allegations made against Michael Jackson. Reports claim the estate was forced to spend an additional $15 million on reshoots after discovering that a 1993 legal settlement involving Evan Chandler prohibited any depiction or mention of the allegations connected to his son.
Despite disagreeing with the ruling, Branca and McClain released a statement saying they respected the court’s decision and intended to move forward while emphasizing that the judge had praised their service to the estate.