In early 1993, Michael Jackson found himself embroiled in yet another media storm — this time surrounding a Pepsi commercial for the song “I’ll Be There.” The controversy? Rumors spread that Jackson, the most prominent Black entertainer in the world, had approved a white child to play his younger self in the ad. Amidst ongoing speculation about Jackson’s appearance and accusations of skin bleaching, this rumor sparked a renewed debate on race, identity, and self-perception.

The commercial itself was relatively low-key for Jackson and Pepsi’s standards. It featured a reflective Michael playing piano and singing his Jackson 5 ballad “I’ll Be There.” A young version of Michael then appears, and the two “versions” duet before the child disappears. The ad was meant to evoke nostalgia — but instead, it prompted outrage.

The backlash centered on claims that Jackson had replaced a previously cast Black child with a white boy. Allegedly, the chosen actor had his skin darkened and wore an afro wig, with young Michael’s face superimposed during post-production. Though Pepsi never confirmed these claims, a spokesperson vaguely stated they were “using a variety of techniques” to portray Jackson across time.

Fuel was added to the fire by prior reports that Jackson wanted a white child to play him in the 1992 miniseries The Jacksons: An American Dream. That plan was reportedly thwarted by the Jackson family, who insisted a Black child be cast instead. Critics, including psychologists and sociologists, accused Jackson of ethnic denial — arguing that his plastic surgery and alleged bleaching were symptoms of internalized racism.

In response to the Pepsi controversy, Jackson broke his silence in a landmark February 1993 interview with Oprah Winfrey. When asked about the commercial, he was blunt: “That is so stupid. That’s the most ridiculous, horrifying story I’ve ever heard.” He passionately reaffirmed, “I’m a Black American. I’m proud of my race. I’m proud of who I am.”

It was during this interview that Jackson also, for the first time, publicly revealed he had vitiligo — a skin condition that destroys pigment. He emphasized that it was not about rejecting his race but rather a medical condition beyond his control.

In the years that followed, behind-the-scenes photos from the Pepsi set emerged. Most featured Jackson with a young Black actor named Alex Dorsey. However, one image showed him with a white child, believed by many to be Wade Robson — an Australian dance prodigy who had won Jackson’s attention years earlier. Robson would go on to choreograph for artists like Britney Spears and later become known for his accusations in the controversial 2019 Leaving Neverland documentary.

Joe Pytka, the director of the Pepsi spot (and previous Jackson videos like “Dirty Diana”), later clarified the confusion. He stated they were struggling to find a boy who could convincingly mimic young Michael’s movements. Jackson suggested Robson, who was white, but the plan was always to digitally superimpose Michael’s childhood face onto the actor’s body. “The movements were the only thing that mattered,” Pytka said.

Still, the press didn’t care. The narrative that Jackson chose a white boy over a Black one became another example in the public’s mind of Jackson’s complicated relationship with race and identity.

Ultimately, the Pepsi ad was meant to be a sentimental tribute — but instead, it became a flashpoint. Whether it was about artistry, digital constraints, or simply miscommunication, the controversy illustrated how every choice Jackson made was dissected under the harshest spotlight.

And as always, behind the spectacle was a deeply private man, trying — and often failing — to control a public image long beyond his grasp.