MICHAEL JACKSON: THE JHERI CURL BURNED HIS SCALP IN THAT PEPSI AD
A friend who just happened to work on the 1984 Pepsi commercial where Michael Jackson had his scalp burned filled us in on what REALLY occurred that night at the Shrine Auditorium. Michael Jackson spent his off-camera time watching “Three Stooges” movies in his dressing room. When the big scene with the pryrotechnics was being set up, Michael was reminded NOT to use the greasy Jheri Curl solution he wore in his hair. They were afraid it might be flammable. Even in those days Michael did what HE wanted – he paid no attention and used the Jheri Curl product as usual. During the first take Michael made his entrance a bit too quickly and the fireworks weren’t so spectacular behind him. For the second (and ultimately final) take Michael was advised to enter slowly and the fireworks were beefed up. It was during the second take that sparks ignited Michael’s Jheri Curl and seriously burned his scalp. And ONLY his scalp – the rest of him was okay. The source believes that if Michael hadn’t used the Jheri Curl he would not have burned. Funny how life happens.