Michael Jackson’s Hair Ignites in Pepsi Commercial

On January 27, 1984, during the filming of a Pepsi commercial, Michael Jackson’s hair caught fire.

The first few takes of the commercial go on as planned, with Michael Jackson traveling down the stairs to the front of the stage and the pyrotechnics going off. On the sixth take, the pyrotechnics fire off before Jackson goes down the stairs, lighting his hair on fire. The crew quickly puts the fire out, but not after Michael receives second and third-degree burns.

A doctor prescribes pain medication to help with the pain from the burns and trauma after the incident. Michael ends up getting addicted to pain medication.

Tags: Michael Jackson, Pepsi