Pepsi Cola was ecstatic to book Michael Jackson to advertise their new fizzy pop soda; however the company was not prepared for the disaster that came with the booking. On the day of the shooting, the first five takes of the commercial were superb, but the sixth take was tragic, Michael got an instant bald spot!
On this day, January 27, in 1984, Michael Jackson was on fire! Literally. During a commercial shoot for Pepsi Cola at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, the set’s firework explosion went off too early. Unknowingly, Michael continued to perform “Billie Jean” as his hair continued to fry. The video for the 1984 Pepsi Commercial was rediscovered and broadcasted shortly after Michael’s death in 2009.
Jackson was left with 2nd and 3rd degree burns on his scalp and face. Pepsi gave Michael $1.5 million as compensation for the brutal injuries. The money was then donated to a burn center named after Jackson. Although the commercial was not aired as an advertisement, it will always be a memory to the 3,000 fans that were present at the taping.