According to music producer and longtime pal David Gest, Michael Jackson’s horrific accident on the set of a Pepsi commercial in 1984, during which his hair caught fire, changed him.

“Michael was in so much pain after that, he became unbalanced. The trauma, and the pills (painkillers), changed him. Before then, he had a tight hold of his career. The accident didn’t make Michael moody or more distant towards me, but he did become a different person. Now that those child abuse allegations are behind him, Michael is also less trusting and feels wounded. But his career vision is back and he’s planning a spectacular comeback.”

Gest has been friends with Michael Jackson since he was 18 and Michael served as best man at Gest’s 2002 wedding to Liza Minnelli in New York City.

Source: Starpulse, MJFC-UK