Michael Jackson's son keen to make it in Hollywood on his own merit
Michael Jackson's eldest son is determined to carve out a career in showbusiness without relying on his family's famous name.
Prince Michael stepped into the limelight last year (13) by working as a reporter for celebrity news show Entertainment Tonight.
He went on to make his acting debut in teen drama 90210 and now
reveals he is keen to become an all-rounder in the industry,
working as a presenter, actor and director.
However, the 17 year old is adamant he will not use the Jackson
name to open doors, insisting he is desperate to make it on his own
merit.
He tells Britain's The Sun on Sunday, "I don't expect to walk into
roles because of who I am. I want to learn my craft.
"My plan is to work for TV companies, doing what I did for
Entertainment Tonight. I had such great fun working for that show
and doing interviews. I learned a lot. The feedback I got was
really great, too. I want to get more experience.
"We all love movies and I would like to be a director one day. But
to be a good director you have to know how an actor works and feels
on set.
"I want to learn my craft and experience being in TV shows and
possibly movies before I even consider going behind the camera.
"It is not a job to be taken lightly. You need to put your time
into learning something properly before overseeing others."
The teenager also spoke about his tragic father ahead of the fifth
anniversary of his death on 25 June (14).
He adds, "It's tough. This will be the fifth anniversary of his
death... He was the best father anybody could have. He raised us
the right way and there is nothing anyone can do to make us forget
about him."