Paris Jackson gives rare interview, talks film role

Video: Paris Jackson: I want to be just like dad

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   >>> solo interview for michael jackson 's daughter paris . she opened up about her late father, childhood, and her dreams for the future. nbc's kristen dahlgren is in los angeles with details. good morning.

   >> reporter: good morning, ann. the daughter of the late pop star has just signed on to star in her first movie. she tells ellen that acting has always been her dream.

   >> and how early on did you know you wanted to act?

   >> when i was really little, because my dad was in, like the movie "moon walker" and i knew he could sing like really well but i didn't know he could act. i saw that and i'm like, wow. i want to be just like him.

   >> paris jackson , poised and mature sitting down with talk show host ellen degeneres . it was just two and a half years ago that the public first met the pop star 's daughter.

   >> ever since i was born, daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine.

   >> reporter: a very public introduction for a girl who had lived most of her life under a mask.

   >> but do you remember wearing a mask going, this is kind of weird?

   >> yeah. i'm like, this is stupid. why am i wearing a mask?

   >> right.

   >> but, yeah. i kind of realized the older i got he only tried to protect us and he explained that to us, too.

   >> reporter: now 13, paris no longer lives in disguise and has been trying to enjoy a normal childhood. she, along with her siblings prince and blanket have embrace ad more public persona, appearing at the grammy awards and, more recently, the cirque du soleil michael jackson show in las vegas . there admitting her showbiz ambitions.

   >> do you guys think you would ever follow your dad's foot steps as an entertainer possibly?

   >> definitely.

   >> in what way? singing? acting?

   >> acting.

   >> and telling ellen acting was something her father encouraged.

   >> we did improvs together and he'd give us little scenarios. so in this scene you're going to cry and i'd cry on the spot.

   >> reporter: paris 's big screen dreams are coming true. she has been cast as the only human character in a mostly animated film "lundon's bridge" and coming out as an actress is no surprise.

   >> paris has been taking acting lessons, has a private coach, and has the blessing of her grandmother who is very excited for her.

   >> reporter: the underwater children's drama will also feature the voices of larry king , his wife shawn, and former n-sync member joey fetone. name alone does not guarantee success but paris has her famous father's words to keep her motivated.

   >> the most memorable thing that your dad said to you was?

   >> he said, if i die tomorrow, always remember what i told you. and i took his advice and i remembered everything he told me.

   >> now, paris also says she is enjoying school and was excited to go to a school where not all the kids knew who she was so she could be more like the other kids.

   >> thank you so much. by the way, ellen 's full interview with paris jackson airs on her show today. meantime, let's

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