MJ and Elvis live on: how Michael Jackson’s daughter Paris and Elvis Presley’s granddaughter Riley Keough are taking Hollywood by storm in American Horror Story and Zola

Jul 30 , 2021

Riley Keough and Paris Jackson, granddaughter of Elvis Presley and daughter of Michael Jackson respectively, are carving their own famous paths. Photos: @parisjackson, @rileykeough/Instagram, Handout

Known as the King of Pop and King of Rock n’ Roll, today Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley’s star spirit lives on in the queens of the screen they left us with

Paris Jackson steals the spotlight playing Maya in American Horror Stories while Riley Keough stars in Janicza Bravo’s summer comedy Zola

When it comes to legendary musicians, few are as iconic as the original King of Pop, Michael Jackson, or the King of Rock n’ Roll, Elvis Presley. Decades after their deaths, these two icons’ much-loved catalogues of music continue to thrill fans across the globe (and rake in plenty of dough). But that’s not the only legacy the two late powerhouses left us with.

Michael Jackson addresses a news conference at the O2 Arena in London, in March 2009, soon before his death later that year. Photo: AFP/Getty Images/TNS

In the past month alone, fans of both late icons have been treated to fresh performances of a different kind courtesy of MJ and Elvis’ respective offspring. While Michael’s daughter Paris Jackson, 23, showed up in new episodes of American Horror Stories, Elvis’ granddaughter Riley Keough, 32, is dazzling film critics in new movie Zola.

Perhaps not so surprising when you consider both icons were also actors themselves – Michael appearing in films The Wiz (1978) and Men in Black II (2002), while Elvis was the star power behind a long run of heyday Hollywood capers including Jailhouse Rock (1957), Blue Hawaii (1961) and Viva Las Vegas (1964), starring in a total of 31 titles by most counts.

As well as being a music icon, Elvis Presley starred in plenty of films during his heyday. Photo: AP

Here’s where things get creepy: before Paris was born, Michael was married to Riley’s mother Lisa Marie Presley, which technically made him her stepdad between 1994 and 1996.

Whatever the case, the potential half-sisters that never were are today fast making names for themselves in Hollywood.

I’ve played dancers who work in strip clubs a few times. I’ve had pole dancing lessons and I’ve been in that world. I’ve lived an interesting life … I’ve played different versions of what people on Twitter describe as a ‘white trash girl’

Riley Keough

Paris Jackson goes horror