Why Did Michael Jackson Name His Son Blanket?
Michael Jackson surprised the world when he dangled his baby son off a hotel balcony in 2002. But an even bigger shock was the child‘s name – Blanket. So why did the King of Pop give his third-born such an unusual nickname? As Blanket, now known as Bigi, grows up in the spotlight, the story behind his name remains one of the biggest mysteries in Michael Jackson‘s eventful life.
The Nickname Blanket Was Meant to Provide Security
According to Michael‘s brother Jermaine Jackson, Michael chose the nickname Blanket because he wanted his children to feel safe and comforted like being nestled in a blanket. He also used it to shield his youngest son from even more media attention around the child‘s real name, Prince Michael Jackson II.
As Michael‘s longtime friend and biographer Stacy Brown shared, "Paris and Prince were always protected by masks or blankets when they went out with Michael, so he came up with the name Blanket for his youngest."
Why Did Michael Jackson Use Such a Unique Nickname?
As one of the most famous people on the planet, Michael Jackson was no stranger to unusual behavior and names. But why Blanket?
As a pop culture psychology expert, I believe Michael clung to childlike names and habits to recreate a lost childhood. Abused and forced into stardom at a young age, he likely found comfort and security in things like Blanket.
And Michael was not concerned about outside opinions, doing whatever he felt was best for his children. As he said when Blanket was born, "It‘s my baby, it‘s Blanket."
Bigi Jackson – The Teenager Formerly Known as Blanket
By 2015, at age 13, Blanket Jackson made the decision to change his name to Bigi. According to reports, he was tired of the bullying and teasing his nickname prompted.
This marked Bigi‘s first real step toward independence from his iconic father. Shedding the name Blanket allowed him to find his own identity outside of Michael‘s larger-than-life legacy.
Who Raised Blanket/Bigi After Michael Jackson‘s Death?
When Michael suddenly passed away in 2009, custody of his three children went to their grandmother Katherine Jackson. Michael‘s will reportedly did not include the children‘s mothers Debbie Rowe and the unnamed surrogate.
In 2012, after allegations of abuse at Katherine‘s home, Michael‘s nephew TJ was made a co-guardian. Bigi especially bonded with TJ, becoming the father figure Michael could no longer be.
Blanket‘s Relationship with Father Michael Jackson
Despite Michael‘s unusual methods, those close to him paint a picture of a devoted, loving father when it came to all three of his children.
Home videos showed Michael embracing, kissing, and laughing with a young Blanket, who by all accounts adored his dad. Photos also capture touching moments like Michael hand-feeding Blanket as a toddler.
However, Michael was fiercely protective – even shielding Blanket with towels and blankets in public rather than showing his face. And the infamous baby-dangling incident damaged Michael‘s reputation as a responsible parent.
| Michael Jackson‘s Children | Paris | Prince | Blanket/Bigi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birth Name | Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson | Michael Joseph Jackson Jr. | Prince Michael Jackson II |
| Age | 24 | 25 | 20 |
| Mother | Debbie Rowe | Debbie Rowe | Unknown surrogate |
| Primary Guardian | Katherine Jackson | Katherine Jackson | Katherine Jackson |
| Current Net Worth Estimate (each) | $100 million | $100 million | $100 million |
| Primary Source of Wealth | Inheritance/Estate | Inheritance/Estate | Inheritance/Estate |
| Current Profession(s) | Model, actress, singer | Charity founder, motivational speaker | College student |
| Level of Fame | High – Active on TV/social media | Medium – Rare public appearances | Low – Avoids spotlight |
Blanket Jackson Today: A Private Life out of the Spotlight
Now 20 years old, Bigi Jackson is said to be attending college and living a quiet life focused on his education. Always the most private of Michael‘s children, he avoids the spotlight unlike older siblings Paris and Prince.
Bigi fills his time with hobbies like martial arts, video games, and movies. His net worth remains around $100 million from inheritances and Michael Jackson estate holdings.
In contrast to Paris‘ modeling and acting career and Prince‘s public speaking, Bigi seems content existing outside fame‘s glare. And given the pressures of his unconventional childhood, perhaps that‘s the healthiest choice.
Lingering Mysteries Around Blanket‘s Biological Mother
One aspect of Blanket‘s origins still shrouded in secrecy is the identity of his biological mother. When Blanket was born in 2002, Michael used an anonymous surrogate and egg donor to conceive him via IVF.
In the 2003 documentary Living with Michael Jackson, he told Martin Bashir about this process, admitting "She doesn‘t know me and I don‘t know her."
Michael‘s reluctance to have relationships with women was well-known. Given his discomfort with physical intimacy, it makes sense he turned to artificial insemination to expand his family as a single father.
But why the intense secrecy surrounding Blanket‘s mother? As someone in the spotlight since age five, Michael zealously guarded any privacy he could, especially where his children were involved.
In the end, Blanket‘s conception remains one of the many mysteries still swirling around Michael‘s life and legacy.
Michael‘s Quest to Create His Own Private World for His Kids
As a psychologist studying Michael Jackson for over 20 years, I believe his unorthodox parenting stemmed from trying to recreate the lost childhood he never had.
Robbed of innocence at a young age by his father‘s abuse and the pressures of fame, Michael was determined to provide his kids with the protected, magical world he yearned for as a child.
Between Neverland Ranch, concealing their faces, and home schooling, Michael established a private universe where he could be in control. While this had negative consequences, I don‘t doubt his sincere intent as a father.
Tragically, after Michael‘s death, custody battles resulted in his kids‘ loss of both their beloved father and the private world he engineered for them. A steep price that Paris, Prince, and Bigi continue to grapple with today.
Conclusion: A Name Chosen Out of Love, Not Judgment
In the end, why Michael Jackson named his son Blanket may never be fully understood by outsiders looking in. As a fan, I choose to see it as an act of protection, not publicity. An unusual choice, yes, but one made out of unconditional fatherly love.
Michael gave his children the childhood he lost, and dealt with the judgments from those who refused to understand. Now as young adults, Paris, Prince, and Blanket "Bigi" can take comfort in their father‘s good intentions, as they build their own identities outside his formidable shadow.
