Paris Jackson inspired to act by father

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 15, ARMENPRESS:

Michael Jackson's daughter Paris has revealed that she was inspired by her father to embark upon a film career, BBC reports.

The 13-year-old, in an interview on the Ellen DeGeneres talk show in the US, said Jackson's role in Moonwalker made her realise he could also act.

"I saw that and I said, 'Wow, I want to be just like him,"' she said.

Paris has been cast in children's film Lundon's Bridge and the Three Keys, which is expected to be released in 2013.

The movie, which is presently in the early stages of development, is based on a children's book and will star Larry King.

Jackson revealed that she had been interested in acting since she was a small child, and was encouraged by her father.

"We'd do improvs together and he'd give us little scenarios, saying 'In this scene you're going to cry' and I'd cry on the spot."

Jackson, who died in June 2009, starred in 1988's Moonwalker, which comprised of a number of videos from his Bad album.

He also appeared in The Wiz, a 1978 adaptation of The Wizard of Oz, alongside Diana Ross and Richard Pryor.

Paris, who has been in the care of her grandmother since Jackson's death, told DeGeneres that she has a normal childhood along with her brothers Prince Michael and Prince Michael II - known as Blanket.

She admitted that she felt "stupid" having her face covered for most of her childhood when appearing in public with her father.

"But I realised the older I got he only tried to protect us, and he explained that to us too."