 Awarded numerous honours — including two Grammy Awards , one American Music Award , and an induction into the Music Video Producers Hall of Fame — the song and corresponding music video helped propel Thriller to the status of best @-@ selling album of all time . The song was promoted with a short film that broke down MTV 's racial barrier as the first video by a black artist to be aired in heavy rotation . Also , Jackson 's Emmy @-@ nominated performance on Motown 25 : Yesterday , Today , Forever , in which Jackson premiered his " moonwalk " , helped to popularize the song . It was additionally promoted through Jackson 's Pepsi commercials ; during the filming of one commercial , Jackson 's scalp was severely burned . Covered by modern artists , " Billie Jean " sealed Jackson 's status as an international pop icon . 
