When Pepsi (Accidentally) Set Michael Jackson on Fire
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This is a clip from part one of my series “The Biggest News Stories of the 1980s (According to an 80s Kid).” Here’s the link to the full video:
https://youtu.be/2NAxmSp-iH8?si=hO9vjtrHT_nA3DIF
Here are the links to parts 2 and 3:
https://youtu.be/Falq2Zo3xFo?si=1tlJSJidJf8em-0h
https://youtu.be/vSEXcx7sb9s?si=mBkvyKlZqlrSXt1L
@opheliasgrace
February 8, 2026 at 2:18 am
Pepsi got off easy. Poor Michael.
@PRODUCEDBYKEV
February 8, 2026 at 2:18 am
@1:35 Sounds real suspect. Like somebody told Giraldi "We keep missin' him. Tell him to stand still for a minute…"
@lauran643
February 8, 2026 at 2:18 am
This was the turning point in Michael’s career. Due to his religious beliefs, he had NEVER taken any drug of any kind EVER before. That’s how intense the pain was. Exactly at the exact midpoint of his life. He was only 25. The lupus was diagnosed by Klein when he went to him to find out about the vitiligo a mere year earlier. Both are autoimmune diseases. He was so ill for the second half of his life. It shows his fierce dedication to perform for his fans and continue to create music and dance and everything else iconic despite how he physically felt. Despite his trauma. Despite the emotional and mental toll these 3 diagnoses forever altered his life. Despite literal daily pain. Despite the media torment. Despite the evil people’s accusations. This would have taken out any and every mere mortal. But he was MICHAEL JACKSON. He persevered despite everything. No one appreciated our beloved unicorn. He was the Messiah. The true godly human put on earth to save us from ourselves.
I’m crying. We didn’t deserve him. And now he’s gone. 😭 The One True King. 👑🔥😔
@IckaboneSlink
February 8, 2026 at 2:18 am
Dude, Pepsi doesn't even taste that good. why was it worth Michael Jackson's sanity?
@ChristianZepeda-h8y
February 8, 2026 at 2:18 am
Why did you put censored on the scalp picture
@LadyNStreet
February 8, 2026 at 2:18 am
Awesome reporting ❤
@JIMBO8472
February 8, 2026 at 2:18 am
They had a skit here in the uk where his hair is still smoking for 7 days and he didnt notice
@barrymchugh5612
February 8, 2026 at 2:18 am
Pepsi lit MJ on fire on purpose!
@coupdeforce
February 8, 2026 at 2:18 am
WTF Pepsi ruined Michael Jackson and all they had to do is donate 1.5 million to a hospital.
@AwesomeGenX
February 8, 2026 at 2:18 am
I haven't drank a Pepsi since that incident happened, and I still never will. I do support the company at times though because they make Dr. Pepper which is my fave.
@Kenny-py1qp
February 8, 2026 at 2:18 am
Late 80s or early 90s
Pepsi had a series of decorated aluminum soda cans. They were interesting. I bought six packs atba time because they were neat to see and fun to drink. One had 80s deco angles another had cactus.
Fond memories
@slxochae8317
February 8, 2026 at 2:18 am
"The reason for the fire was stupidity. Pure and simple." – MJ 😂
@tidetalkwithwebb5391
February 8, 2026 at 2:18 am
I remember this. Brings back memories.
@JudyJetsonHooker
February 8, 2026 at 2:18 am
I heard that this inspired the “Flaming Moe” episode on The Simpsons 💥🔥
@robertk1049
February 8, 2026 at 2:18 am
If MJ was still with us and someone today asked him what his pronouns are his response would be "He heeeee!"
@sonyaethaniel
February 8, 2026 at 2:18 am
I was there! I was an extra on set at the Shrine Auditorium, and I'm in the commercial! Saw the whole thing.😢
@ZMAN_420
February 8, 2026 at 2:18 am
Great Video Natalie!
@matthewbaduria
February 8, 2026 at 2:18 am
Thank you for sharing this clip. The Pepsi commercial was a complete disaster.
@DaddyOfTheSugarVariety
February 8, 2026 at 2:18 am
Intense story! I had forgotten how long ago that was.
@JepMasta
February 8, 2026 at 2:18 am
I have actually never seen the footage of the actual fire incident until your video show showed it Natalie
@v_zach
February 8, 2026 at 2:18 am
We had a rhyme in the schoolyard. The humor hasn’t aged well, but the last line was “Pepsi Cola lit him up and now he’s drinking 7 Up”.
@geminigypsy8005
February 8, 2026 at 2:18 am
Wow…he really did have a big heart ❤️
@Jason_Maier
February 8, 2026 at 2:18 am
And Pepsi was a sponsor of the (in)famous Victory Tour.
And sadly, this led Michael down the dark path of drug abuse 🙁
@firsttry2
February 8, 2026 at 2:18 am
MJ made this commercial because his brothers needed money. A million dollars is ridiculous considering the consequences for his life. He didn't want Billie Jean to be used, and he didn't want to do the Victory Tour either. And of course, when he was accused in 1993, they immediately ended their partnership.
@jckun100
February 8, 2026 at 2:18 am
Those executives were scared of losing their jobs, not of making Pepsi taste bad to kids.
@PhilipGipson-m9q
February 8, 2026 at 2:18 am
Thanks for sharing this piece of news. I wasn't around when it happened, but it must've been quite impactful.
@jonathanwelchbmnc7615
February 8, 2026 at 2:18 am
I remember this. This was a big deal for a while back then.
@ruthbaird1646
February 8, 2026 at 2:18 am
So this is why he had to wear wigs. 😡. I wish he hadn’t been nice to them, considering how scared they looked. Michael should have asked for $4 million per year in perpetuity! Large companies can afford it! Maybe then safety will matter more for them?
@JeremyPage-q4p
February 8, 2026 at 2:18 am
Wow. I had forgotten about that. I remember MTV covering it like the Kennedy assassination or something. All I can remember thinking was, "Thank God it wasn't Prince!" Shortly after that I remember thinking, "Nah, Prince was too cool for that shit!".
@SkywalkerDavis
February 8, 2026 at 2:18 am
I learned in 2025 MJ's hair was fake because of this Pepsi incident, and it's the reason he was in chronic pain leading to his pain killer addiction. Somehow, I missed that over the last 3 decades.
@cherylbattle4146
February 8, 2026 at 2:18 am
I remember this day in time! I was in middle school and this was the talk of the town!!
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