US Weekly has posted previously unseen footage of Michael Jackson’s accidental burning during a 1984 Pepsi ad shoot, which you can view at the magazine’s website. The material is of extremely high quality, and it is actually quite harrowing to watch the superstar’s hair catch fire — particularly as Jackson continues to dance for several seconds, oblivious to what has happened.
All in all, it’s not the way many people would want to remember the King of Pop. But it is perhaps worth noting that Pepsi later settled with Jackson to the tune of $1.5 million and that Jackson then donated the money to the burn unit of the Brotman Medical Center in Culver City, CA.
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I know I could have not clicked on this. I didn’t click through to see the actual footage. But shame on you for calling attention to this footage which has no need to be seen by the public at this point. The lows of the media coverage don’t stop to amaze me.
I’m really not sure why that was necessary to be shown. Shame on US and SHAME ON YOU EW. I thought you were better than that. That is sickening.
I agree. Why bring this up? What is wrong with the media? This was alomst 25 years ago and have nothing to do with anything. I hate EW!
1.5 million sucks the should have given more like 20! Anyway how sweet of Michael to donate it.
That was AWESOME! Great editing, very atmospheric music. I wish there was a way to post this on other sites, this is the definition of a stellar news item.
i see no link for a video. am i blind?
That was so cool! I’ve never seen someone’s head burning like that before. Especially someone who just recently died and have friends and family still mourning. Thank you US Weekly and EW.com for having the guts to give the public what they want even if it makes you look sick in the process! TMZ can’t hog all the gory glory!!
I don’t know- what if this was the start of all the weird behavior. What if the heat affected his brain?
Is this really what it has come to?
Thanks for showing this video. While many may not want to view it, it does provide information. I did not realize that the burn was so extensive. What a horrible experience. I read reports that MJ didn’t have any hair. I guess this may be why. So many thought he was “strange” or was rejecting his ethnicity. Maybe he was a guy who had to manage challenges most of us will never be able to appreciate.
This is terribly sad. I’m not sure this was neccessary to show the world…poor man was burning & could have died from this horrible accident. Now millions of people are able to view yet another tragic event in the life of Michael Jackson. He was nothing but a generous, caring, tender, loving man who wanted to be loved in return. This is just another example of the media turning on the King of Pop. Everyone that treated MJ wrong should be ashamed of themselves!
I feel like a bad person for watching, although I swear we saw similar footage back when it happened. Strange that it was set to music, quite frankly. Poor Michael.
I think the footage is shown in an attempt to let Michael’s fans know how much pain he was in from the severity of the incident. Then, from pain to painkillers – for 25 years – demonstrates the hold these drugs have on people. Sometimes things don’t make sense and judgements are reached in the absence of literally seeing someone’s pain. Ask any sufferer of depression.
Hair care products are extremely flamable.
Cant believe how sick minds you guys are… was it necessary to show this ?? what was the point? can’t believe how cruel world we live in!!! shame on you guys, each and every one of you, dont you have brains… symphaty?!! .. selfish, thoughtless , gutless minds…
Maybe this will help people understand him a little more. Burns are so painful. It must have contributed to his lack of sleep. I would consider this a disability, so he has my respect for still going on as a performer. He gave us a lot of beautiful music for which I am very grateful.
This is not new.
The hottest celeb scenes at http://www.actressscene.com
Wow. Congrats, EW & Us Weekly. You have stooped to the low of TMZ or even worse, just complete gossip rags. Was it necessary to show this to the entire world? No. Did you do it because it would give you more hits and you would have an “Exclusive”? Yes. Nice. The fact that Jackson donated the money received to a charity for burn victims shows his class – while you, on the other hand, have none.
Horrible–it was in slow motion but seemed to have burned much longer than it should have. I still don’t understand how this incident could be a contributing factor in continued drug use without bad doctors and other health personnel in the mix. I’ve seen people with burns over much more area and more sensitive parts of the body that don’t use the incident to hinder the rest of their lives. But there are many people that can’t get over even minor incidents and carry it with them forever. No, 2nd & 3rd degree burns aren’t minor. Doesn’t help to have enablers and hanger-ons when you need something other than pills.
How sick of the media to release this footage..you people have eaten this man alive and now you are feasting on his carcass….Michael Jackson rest in peace.You never deserved so much hatred.
K Wed, Jul 15, 2009 at 03:49 PM EST
“I don’t know- what if this was the start of all the weird behavior. What if the heat affected his brain?”
Please be joking.
NO. I can not believe it!!
Michael Jackson is the KING of POP~
Love him so much!
I just saw some of his photos and videos that never be released at a website called —-LovingRich*C OM——-It’s a HOT place to meet beautiful and wealthy people.
Thank you for showing us the pain MJ had to have gone thru. I’m sure that was the starting point of him using pain medications as well as cosmetic surgery. I wish he would have consulted psychologist instead who may be able to help him work thru his pains without resorting prescription drugs.
I’ve heard of people being “Hot Heads” but this is ridiculous!
scum….all of you….
one day karma will pay all of you a visit…
What I saw in the clip was much, much worse than what I had been led to believe. I think at the time they didn’t want anyone to know just how bad it truly was, but that was horrific. Watching a person burn, for me, is probably the second most horrific thing to witness second only to watching someone be murdered. As bad as the burn was, it is possible that he was never able to grow hair there again, although the recent reports of MJ being bald were from a fake autopsy report that the media bought into.
Wow, that was pretty horrible.
actually-I watched it again and it wasn’t in slow motion-you’d think there would be assistance closer-what took so long? I think THAT piece of history repeated itself over and over in his life.
I now see why people from around the world lost their respect for the U.S. media… you call him the King of Pop but you have no respect for him… you should appreciate how hard he tried to entertain the public, instead of showing his embarrasing footages after he has passed… R.I.P. Micahel
There is a major poll running over at http://www.tinyurl.com/evilgood as to whether Michael Jackson was good or evil. Evil is currently in the lead! I think this poll is being recorded in some sort of record book, anyways, everybody go vote for good!!