If you’ve spent any time looking at paparazzi shots of Paris Jackson over the last decade, you’ve probably noticed a familiar face lurking in the background. It isn't a bodyguard. It isn't some random indie musician friend. It’s the kid from Home Alone. Except, well, he’s 45 now.
The connection between Paris Jackson and Macaulay Culkin is one of those Hollywood anomalies that feels strange to outsiders but makes total sense once you peel back the layers. They aren't just "industry friends." They are family. In a world where celebrity relationships are often transactional or based on who’s currently trending on TikTok, these two have a bond that’s survived decades of intense public scrutiny, family drama, and the massive shadow of the late Michael Jackson.
Why Macaulay Culkin Is So Protective
Macaulay isn't just a family friend. He is the godfather to all three of Michael’s children: Prince, Paris, and Bigi (formerly known as Blanket). Michael Jackson chose him for a reason. He wanted someone who understood the bizarre, often isolating experience of becoming a household name before reaching puberty.
Culkin hasn't been shy about how much he cares for Paris. Back in 2018, when he sat down with Marc Maron on the WTF podcast, he made it crystal clear that Paris is off-limits to gossip seekers. "I am close with Paris," he told Maron. "I'm going to warn you now, I am very protective of her, so just look out." He basically told one of the most famous interviewers in the world that if he tried to dig for dirt, he’d hit a dead end.
Honestly, it’s refreshing. In an era where everyone is selling their story, Culkin acts like a vault. He sees her as "tall, beautiful, and smart," and he’s been there for her through some of the darkest periods of her life.
The Support System in 2025 and 2026
Fast forward to recently. By the summer of 2025, news broke that Paris Jackson had split from her fiancé, music producer Justin Long (not the actor). The two had been together since 2022, and word was she was taking the breakup pretty hard.
Where was Macaulay? Right there.
Reports surfaced in August 2025 showing Paris out with Macaulay and his wife, Brenda Song, at Cara Delevingne’s birthday party at the Chateau Marmont. Sources close to the family mentioned that Mac has been checking in on her daily, even offering her a place to stay with him and Brenda while she "finds her balance again." It’s that "big brother" energy that Michael likely hoped for when he asked a teenage Macaulay to be a godfather all those years ago.
The Famous Spoon Tattoos
If you want a physical manifestation of the Paris Jackson and Macaulay Culkin connection, look at their arms. In July 2017, the duo headed to Tattoo Mania in West Hollywood. They didn't get matching skulls or "best friends" scripts. They got spoons.
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Specifically, they got matching silver spoons on their forearms.
People have speculated for years about what they mean. Some think it’s a nod to "Spoon Theory"—a metaphor used to describe the limited energy people with chronic illness or mental health struggles have each day. Given Paris’s openness about her mental health journey and Macaulay’s own history of dealing with the pressures of fame, it’s a theory that carries weight. Others think it’s just an inside joke, a reference to a "silver spoon" upbringing that wasn't nearly as easy as the public assumed.
Whatever the reason, it was actually Macaulay’s first tattoo. Imagine being one of the most famous actors in history and waiting until your late 30s to get inked, only to do it because your goddaughter wanted to match.
Growing Up in the Shadow of Neverland
To understand why they are so tight, you have to look at how they met. Macaulay became close with Michael Jackson in the early '90s after the massive success of Home Alone. Michael saw a kid who was being exploited by his own parents and reached out.
Mac has spent years defending Michael. He testified as a character witness during the 2005 trial, and in a 2020 Esquire interview, he reiterated that he never saw anything inappropriate. He described their friendship as "normal and mundane." They’d prank call people together. They’d hang out.
Because Mac saw the "human" side of the King of Pop, he’s the bridge for Paris. He is one of the few people who can talk to her about her father without the filter of "The Legend." He just knew the guy who liked to laugh.
A Relationship of Equals
Even though there is an 18-year age gap, they treat each other like peers. Paris has posted photos of herself giving Mac a pedicure or wearing matching bunny ears on Easter. She calls him "Mack Attack."
It’s a rare thing in Hollywood: a relationship that isn't about clout.
What This Teaches Us About Celebrity Longevity
The fascination with Paris Jackson and Macaulay Culkin usually stems from a place of curiosity—people want to know if it’s "weird." But if you look at the facts, it’s actually the most stable thing in either of their lives.
- Shared Trauma: Both dealt with intense media hounding from a young age.
- Protection: Culkin serves as a shield between Paris and the vultures of the industry.
- Consistency: While boyfriends and projects come and go, "Uncle Mac" is always there.
The reality is that Paris has built a career on her own terms—modeling, acting in American Horror Story, and releasing indie-folk music. Having a godfather who successfully navigated the transition from "child star" to "well-adjusted adult" is probably the best resource she could have.
If you're following their journey, keep an eye on their public appearances in 2026. They don't do the red carpet circuit often, but when they do, like at Culkin's Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in late 2023, the genuine affection is impossible to fake.
If you want to understand the Jackson family legacy, stop looking at the tabloids and start looking at the people they chose to keep close. Macaulay Culkin isn't just a leftover from Michael's past; he is a permanent fixture in Paris's future.
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To stay updated on Paris Jackson’s latest music or film projects, check her official social media channels, as she often shares snippets of her work directly with fans. If you are interested in Macaulay’s recent work, look for his appearances in the American Horror Story franchise or his voice work in various indie projects.