In 1984, as singer Michael Jackson was earning $1.5 million dollars filming a Pepsi commercial, he had a life-threatening accident. What happened?

In 1984, Michael Jackson was a global phenomenon, fresh off the monumental success of "Thriller." His groundbreaking deal with Pepsi was a testament to his superstardom, a multi-million dollar endorsement that saw him filming a series of elaborate commercials. During one such shoot at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, intended to feature a spectacular pyrotechnic display, an unforeseen and dangerous incident occurred, casting a shadow over the otherwise triumphant period.

The commercial involved Jackson performing a dance routine down a set of stairs (Review), culminating in a fiery explosion behind him. On the sixth take, the pyrotechnics detonated prematurely, sending sparks directly onto Jackson's head. Unaware at first, he continued dancing for several more seconds, his famous Jheri curl hair smoldering and then igniting. Crew members quickly rushed to extinguish the flames, but not before he sustained severe second and third-degree burns to his scalp.

The pop superstar was rushed to Brotman Memorial Hospital, where he received treatment for his injuries. The incident was not only painful but also left lasting physical and emotional scars. It's widely believed that the intense pain from these burns led to his initial reliance on prescription painkillers, a struggle that would unfortunately plague him for the rest of his life. Furthermore, some speculate that the accident contributed to his later extensive plastic surgeries, as he sought to repair and alter his appearance following the trauma.