Paris Jackson - People magazine: strikingly similar to 'Afghan Girl'

When I first saw the photo of Paris Jackson - the late Michael Jackson's daughter - in the latest issue of US People magazine, I was immediately struck with the obvious resemblance to the National Geographic cover photo by photographer Steve McCurry called 'Afghan Girl'. 

McCurry shot the image while touring a refugee camp on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border; he'd entered a tent that served as a girl's school. The first child he saw was this shy girl with incredible fiery eyes, aged about 12 years old.

The June 1985 edition of the magazine - that shot made the cover - went on to become one of the most recognisable in the magazine's history.


And now, Paris.


Wow - who knew she could look so incredibly beautiful.


We've seen glimpses of this shy beauty since MJ's death (when she was finally able to reveal her face, sans those face coverings Jackson insisted his children wear), and it was only a matter of time before she became a magazine favourite.


In the special edition of People magazine (the sister publication to Australia's Who magazine), Paris is part of the slew of stunners for the Most Beautiful People issue for 2012.


Shot by uber-talented Australian photographer Ben Watts (brother of actress Naomi Watts) it will become an enduring image of the young girl.


Much like the National Geographic shot.


Watch this space/face.