Michael Jackson Underwent Major Reconstructive Surgery After a Show Accident [DETAILS]

Michael Jackson almost sustained irreparable damage while working on an Eighties Pepsi commercial.

Nearly four decades ago, Jackson was tapped to star in a Pepsi advertisement before landing on a long-standing partnership with the company. The King of Pop performed "Billie Jean" during the gig, but an accident happened that almost changed his whole life.

What Happened to Michael Jackson and His Hair?

When the company started the planned firework display during Jackson's performance, the "Smooth Criminal" singer's hair caught fire without the crooner noticing it.

He continued dancing at that time because he reportedly did not want to disappoint his audience. However, he soon collapsed and led the responders to take him to hospital.

As quoted by Express U.K., make-up artist Karen Faye told the court after the incident, "I never saw anything like that in my life. This was someone I knew and he was on fire. All his hair was gone and there was smoke coming out of his head."

She worked for Jackson for nearly 27 years.

According to Jackson's doctor Steven Hoefflin, the "You Are Not Alone" hitmaker was shocked when he learned he sustained a palm-sized second-degree burn and a small area of third-degree burn. These reportedly contributed to his use of painkillers.

Pepsi gave him $1.5 million as compensation, but he donated it to the Brotman Medical Center, where he received treatments.

"I became increasingly more dependent on painkillers to get me through the days of my tour," he said of his major reconstructive surgery.

Jackson and Pepsi eventually ended their partnership after he admitted he was addicted to drugs. His extensive drug use started after the pyrotechnics incident, which led him to depend on painkillers.

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Jackson died of acute propofol intoxication, with propofol and lorazepam as the primary drugs that triggered his death in 2009. The Los Angeles County Coroner's office also said it detected benzodiazepine in his system, becoming a contributing factor.

During the court hearing for the wrongful death lawsuit filed by Jackson's mother and children, Dr. Petros Levounis testified for AEG Live and said Jackson himself announced he had to enter a rehab program because of his addiction.

"Michael Jackson's addiction was quite extensive and I have very little doubt that his pleasure-reward pathways had been hijacked and he had an addiction," he went on.

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