Michael Jackson's daughter wants to be a singer.

The family of the late pop superstar are astonished at how similar his three kids - Prince Michael, 12, Paris, 11, and seven-year-old Prince Michael II, who is known as 'Blanket' - are to him with the eldest pair in particular showing signs of following in his footsteps.

A source said: "Talking to Prince is like talking to Michael. He's so smart and mature - way beyond his age. Paris, meanwhile, wants to be a singer."

The children are now living with the singer's mother Katherine in California and according to family insiders, they are able to live a much more "normal" life than they did with their father.

The source told People magazine: "They like not wearing the masks when they go out. It's a different experience for them.

"It would have been hard to imagine them going out in public or showing up at someone's house hanging out and playing video games before their father died. That had a lot to do with Michael, because every time he showed up there were bodyguards and chaos. And now, not so much. It feels much more normal and they've adjusted really well to that."

The children spend a lot of time with their older cousins, which their family believe has helped them deal with their father's death last June.

Family attorney Adam Streisand said: "They're doing great, thanks to the love and support they've gotten. With the kids running around the house, laughing, playing, they've given each other a lot of joy.

"Katherine really listens to the kids. She wants to give them a sense of freedom when she can. She wants to encourage them."