Michael Jackson Pepsi Commercial Accident: How Badly Was He Burned in Real Life?
The new biopic, Michael, contains a shocking scene in which pop icon Michael Jackson is badly burned while filming a Pepsi commercial.
The movie shows Michael's hair catching on fire, and he lands in the hospital with severe injuries. The film paints them as life-threatening, and it implies that Jackson's prescription drug use began to handle the pain. However, what's the real story about Michael Jackson's Pepsi commercial accident? How badly was he burned?
Badly, and the incident did have lasting impact on the singer.
"I really do believe that Michael would still be here today if he had not done the Pepsi commercial," music journalist Steven Ivory said in TMZ Presents: Michael Jackson: 30 Fatal Seconds.
In Real Life, Michael Jackson Received Treatment After His Hair 'Caught Light During a Freak Filming Accident'
(Photo by Steve Allen/Liaison)
A report from BBC at the time revealed that "Michael Jackson has received hospital treatment for serious burns to his head after his hair caught light during a freak filming accident."
Michael, 25, was singing his hit song Billie Jean "when the special effects went wrong," the BBC reported, adding that, "Three thousand fans saw a firework display erupt behind the superstar, showering him in sparks and setting light to his hair."
Audience members reported that Michael remained "so calm, they thought the incident was part of the act," BBC reported.
A Pyrotechnic Exploded Behind Michael Jackson
According to USA Today,the Pepsi commercial accident occurred on Jan. 27, 1984, at Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium. "A pyrotechnic exploded behind him, showering the singer with sparks and lighting his hair on fire," USA Today reported, noting that the incident occurred during the 6th take.
Jackson suffered "second- and third-degree burns. He also suffered severe hair loss," USA Today reported.
According to a story from United Press International at the time, Jackson "was quietly discharged from a hospital Saturday against his doctor's recommendation."
"We recommended that Michael stay, but we determined this could be done as well out of the hospital as in the hospital," Dr. Steve Hoefflin told UPI. "Despite our recommendation, he felt he did want to be treated as an outpatient."
"He was quite happy. He felt better after a good night's sleep. He's in excellent health and was showing very rapid signs of recovery. He's very pleased it was not more of a severe burn," he added.
UPI described the incident by saying that "a special effects smoke bomb apparently misfired and set his pomade-slicked hair ablaze."
Nurse Pat Lavalas told UPI that Jackson "left in good spirits and his condition is good,' she said. 'He didn't speak about the accident to us. He watched 'American Bandstand' this morning and people were getting his autograph."
"He sang a Stephanie Mills song in the bathroom. He stayed in bed and opened telegrams, and he got a big kick out of one from a fan that said, 'I know you're hot, but this is ridiculous,'" the nurse told the wire service, which described him as being in "moderate pain."