Did Pepsi Commercial Accident Start Obsession With Plastic Surgery?
The raw footage shot for the Pepsi commercial was shot on Jan. 27, 1984, at Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium. Jackson can be seen on the shoot’s sixth take, descending a flight of stairs when the pyrotechnics on stage go off early and engulf the singer’s head in flames. At first Jackson, wearing a sequined shirt, jacket and signature glove — continues to dance unaware as flames and smoke emanate from his hair. As the fireball grows around his head, he is set upon by members of the crew who tamp out the flames. In the video, one can easily observe a large red bald spot in the center of Jackson’s head after the flames have been extinguished. Jackson suffered second- and third-degree burns to his scalp and the back of his head, prompting him to begin using and then abusing painkillers, he would later admit.
