Sir Mick Jagger's granddaughter, Amba Jackson, has opened up about her dark teenage years, when she struggled to build a life for herself at New York's prestigious Pratt Institute. It is worth mentioning that 30-year-old Amba is the daughter of the Rolling Stones star's jewellery designer daughter, Jade Jagger, 54, and her former partner, artist Piers Jackson.
In her debut Substack post on Friday, artist Amba wrote: 'I went to university to study Fashion Design in New York because, at 19, I wanted to be Edie Sedgwick in Factory Girl. I was taking a lot of drugs, and the school was easy to get into.'
She added, 'I felt completely broken by the expectations and couldn't understand why I seemed to struggle so much more with tailoring than my peers.' Amba explained that the pressure of living up to a famous family name while navigating the complexities of young adulthood in a foreign city created a volatile environment for her mental health.
The artist noted that her time at the institute was marked by a lack of direction and a reliance on substances to cope with the academic and social pressures of the fashion industry. Reflecting on those years, she described the experience as a period of profound isolation, despite being surrounded by the vibrant energy of New York City.
However, Amba has since moved past those difficult times and has dedicated her life to healing and creative expression through different mediums. Following six years of studying art therapy, she is now focused on giving back to her community and fostering creativity in others.
Currently, Amba is seeking planning permission to convert stables on her land into a community art centre, a project she hopes will serve as a hub for local artists. This transition from a troubled student to a community-focused artist marks a significant chapter in her life, as she continues to share her journey with transparency and grace.