Michael Jackson Burned in Pepsi Spot

Everything you need to know about Michael Jackson Burned in Pepsi Spot, covering in-depth facts.

Michael Jackson and his siblings were doing just that on January 27, 1984. It didn’t go well: in the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, in front of 3,000 people gathered to simulate a concert atmosphere, Michael was dancing to his hit “Billie Jean.” During the sixth commercial take, he supposedly got too close to a pyrotechnics display that had gone off a little too early. The fireworks caught him on fire, causing second-degree burns to his scalp and the loss of some of his hair. His jacket was also on fire.

It was meant to be a typical commercial shoot: Michael Jackson, only 25 years old, was the world’s biggest celebrity, his 1982 Thriller album having spent the greater part of a year at the top. In the fall of 1983, he and his Jackson Five siblings inked a $5 million endorsement agreement with PepsiCo, which included Michael starring in ads promoting the soft drink, among other things.

Michael was observed by his admirers with his scalp burning and smoke billowing from his head after his brothers promptly assisted in extinguishing the flames. Following the incident, Jackson was transported to Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre, his head bandaged and smiling despite his agony.

He was treated and declared out of danger there, but the singer was subsequently taken by ambulance to the Brotman Memorial Hospital Burn Centre in Culver City, California. It was ultimately determined that the culprit was the pomade Jackson placed in his hair, which caught fire when he got too close to the explosives. Regardless matter the source, Jackson underwent scar therapy and had his third nose job shortly afterward.

It was later revealed that the pain Jackson experienced on his scalp as a result of the burns was extended, leading to his prescription pill addiction. His hair never grew back correctly, either, prompting Jackson to wear wigs.