Michael Jackson inspired will.i.am to become a designer.
The Black Eyed Peas frontman admits the late singer - who died in June 2005 - was the main inspiration behind his decision to start designing cars, watches and bags because he was so fascinated after watching the video to the star's 1982 hit song 'Thriller'.
He told BANG Showbiz: "Michael Jackson got me interested in design.
"When you see Michael Jackson you think, 'Why?' 'Thriller is awesome but why Thriller'? He could've made any type of video but why a horror flick?
"So my mind works that way. I always say, 'Why?' I don't just accept it, I always ask why."
The 13-minute video, which was released in 1983, features Michael singing the song alongside dancers dressed as the living dead and also includes a spoken word performance by horror film star Vincent Price.
will - who worked with Michael in 2006 - admits the clip really hit home when he watched it at a young age and it inspired him to be a lot more creative in his life.
Speaking at Pavillion Cambon in Paris, where will was unveiling his custom-designed Lexus NX 200t F SPORT car, he added: "It was people like Michael Jackson when I was seven that really intrigued me.
"We do that in music or video. 'Oh wow, that's cool. Why?' Because you can see through the girl's shirt so we know that's not going to get played on certain TV so that's let pull that back. Things like that."

Brad Pitt has praised Shia LaBeouf as one of the "best" actors he has worked with.
The 50-year-old hunk was delighted to work with the 'Transformers' star on 'Fury' because he thinks the 28-year-old actor is hugely talented.
Brad gushed: "Oh, I love this boy. He's one of the best actors I've ever seen. He's full-on commitment, man. He's living it like no one else, let me tell you," the actor raves. "I've been fortunate to work with a lot of great actors. He's one of the best I've seen."
The 'Fury' cast got fully immersed in the movie and Brad - who plays a tank commander in the World War II drama - admits that lead to a row between himself. Shia and Scott Eastwood.
He told Britain's GQ magazine: "We were driving down the road, I'm in the turret, Shia is at the other turret, and Scott is on the back, spitting juice. And I'm starting to get p***ed off, I'm starting to get hot, because this is our home, he's disrespecting our home, you know?
"So I said, in the scene with the cameras rolling, 'You're going to clean that s**t up.' Shia clocks it, and you have to understand, we've been through severe boot camp already. We've been through a lot in this tank.
"Shia saw it and felt the same--he's disrespecting our home.
So, Shia had the same reaction I did and started having some words...Then I had to get in after the cameras were rolling and explain it to Scotty, you know."
However, after consulting their script, Brad realised he was the one in the wrong.
He added: "The funny thing is, when we got home at the end of the day and read the script, it said Scotty's character is 'chewing tobacco and spitting it on the back of the tank,'" Pitt explains. "He was just doing as instructed in the script! So we were the k**bs in the end."

Annie Lennox has slammed Beyonce Knowles for describing herself as a "feminist".
The Eurythmics frotnwoman hit out at the 33-year-old singer for proclaiming herself a "feminist" during her set at the MTV Video Music Awards last month, and claims many female artists like the brunette star only call themselves feminists to promote their careers.
Speaking about Beyonce, Annie said: "I would call that 'feminist lite'. L-I-T-E. I'm sorry. It's tokenistic to me. I mean, I think she's a phenomenal artist - I just love her performances - but I'd like to sit down [with her]. I think I'd like to sit down with quite a few artists and talk to them. I'd like to listen to them; I'd like to hear what they truly think.
"I see a lot of it as them taking the word 'hostage' and using it to promote themselves, but I don't think they necessarily represent wholeheartedly the depths of feminism - no, I don't."
The 59-year-old singer also hit out at stars such as Beyonce for being scantily clad on stage and in music videos in order to sell their songs.
Speaking to website PrideSource, she added: "I think for many it's very convenient and it looks great and it looks radical, but I have some issues with it. I have issues with it. Of course I do. I think it's a cheap shot. I think what they do with it is cheap and ... yeah.
"What can I tell you? Sex always sells. And there's nothing wrong with sex selling, but it depends on your audience. If they're seven-year-old kids, I have issues with it."

Ed Sheeran sought life advice from Sir Paul McCartney.
The 'Sing' hitmaker spoke to the music legend at an Oscars after-party and the Beatles singer encouraged the flame-haired star to take note of how other big names, such as Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl and Justin Timberlake, interact with people.
He said: "[Paul] was chatting to my cousin for ages, and the last time I'd seen him, he was being lovely to my dad.
"I asked why he takes time to speak to everyone, and he said, 'If you look at every big star in the world, from Beyonce to Dave Grohl to Justin Timberlake, they are lovely because they're all comfortable in their own space.'
"It is easier when you are comfortable with yourself and what you've achieved - you don't have to put up a front. And it's a better way of living, being happier and not bitter."
While the 23-year-old star was happy to get advice from the 72-year-old singer, he insists he always tries to be "brutally honest" anyway because he would hate to be described as "fake".
Speaking to The Sunday Times' Culture magazine, he added: "As long as I'm myself, and brutally honest with myself, I'm fine.
"It would be far worse to be all glossy and 'pop', because that's being a fake idol.
"Being human is important."

Ben Affleck can handle being "fodder" for critics, according to director David Fincher.
The 42-year-old actor worked with Fincher for 'Gone Girl' and the filmmaker and although he has attracted criticism for some of his roles and unwanted attention due to his romances with famous women, Fincher insists he dismisses it and uses it to improve his performances.
Fincher said: "Ben went through a period of his life where he was fodder; I guess he still is in a weird way. And you wonder, 'When will they let him off?'
"But it's really good to have somebody who understands how nutty that is. What it's like to live in a house where you have to draw the drapes, just in case [of photographers]."
Despite his huge fame, 'Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice' star Affleck - who is married to Jennifer Garner - has no ego on set and is very generous with his co-stars and crew and is considerate to all the people he works with.
Speaking to The Guardian's Guide magazine, Fincher, 52, revealed: "He's very bright. And I think he sort of tempers how people react to him; he's cautious about that. He doesn't want to make anybody feel bad.
"It's fun to watch somebody who is so willing to sublimate themselves in order to make everything better - or more lubricated - and put him in a situation where he's got to speak for himself."

Ben Shephard flashed his bum at Lorraine Kelly as she celebrated 30 years of breakfast television this morning (29.09.14).
'Good Morning Britain' host Ben was dressed in a traditional Scottish kilt in honour of the 54-year-old presenter's home country and at one stage he turned his back to Lorraine and lifted the tartan garment.
It remains unknown whether the 'Good Morning Britain' host had - in true Scotsman style - been underwear free.
Prior to the incident Lorraine only had kind words to say about Ben's new look.
She said: "It's gorgeous and you're wearing it the way I like it, with the boots and the socks, and not the frilliness, just lovely!"
The 'Lorraine' host was joined on the show by her 20-year-old daughter Rosie and received touching tributes from colleagues, former co-stars and celebrity guests including Anthea Turner, Eamonn Holmes and Ross Kelly.
Recalling the times they worked together, Eamonn, 54, said: "We thought we were brilliant, we thought we were really good, then there was a review in a posh newspaper, and it just said, 'This programme is presented by two unknown big round faces', isn't that right Lorraine? But what they say is very well and good, but there are no wrinkles on a balloon!"
She also received congratulatory messages from Ant and Dec, Martin Clunes, Hugh Bonneville, Keith Lemon and Paul O'Grady, as well as Eamonn's wife Ruth Langsford.
'Coronation Street' cast members Kym Marsh, Beverley Callard and Simon Gregson also showed their support for Lorraine and revealed she is set to feature on the soap on tonight's episode.
Lorraine said: "It's been overwhelming and amazing. I can't believe it's been 30 years, it's gone by in a flash, but you know, you're only as good as your team and my team both on screen and off screen, are fabulous, the very best ... I'm going to cry!"

The 'Loose Women' stars sent messages of support to former co-host Lynda Bellingham following her decision to stop having treatment for her cancer.
The panel of the ITV chat show praised Lynda for her bravery following her announcement at the weekend she only has a few months to live and presented a montage of clips of the well-loved broadcaster's time on the lunch-time programme today (29.09.14).
Ruth Langsford said: "We're all thinking about her today here at 'Loose Women'.
"Thousands of you have been sending your love and messages - 12,000 at the moment, and we've only just come on air - of support for you Lynda on our Facebook page."
Close friend and long-running Loose Woman Colleen Nolan, revealed she has been in touch with Lynda, and praised her for her positive outlook and infectious personality.
She said: "Lynda's still being Lynda. The texts are all so funny and well-humoured; you can't help but respond to that, she's still very up-beat. She's just fantastic."
At the beginning of the programme, it had been suggested that Lynda would be calling in to speak the panel and the viewers, but instead she was only able to send a message to the team because she was undergoing another bout of chemotherapy, one of her last sessions before she stops the treatment.
In the message, she said: "Thank you so much for the support you have no idea how much it means to me. But please understand I am in a good place.
"It is essential to feel you have some control of your own life. Anyone in the same position as me is often on the toilet!
"Again thank you for all the years of support you have given me. You are the 'Loose Women' - we are the best!"

Krusty the Clown's father has been killed off in 'The Simpsons'.
In an episode which aired in the US last night (28.09.14), viewers saw Krusty's dad die ending months of speculation as to which character was going to meet his maker in the long-running cartoon.
Discussing the death, the show's executive producer Al Jean told BBC Radio 1: "The title of the episode is 'Clown of the Dumps' and when I announced it people were going '*gasp* you're killing Krusty!' I was like, 'Wait, in the dumps means you're sad.' It was very strange."
The fatality of Rabbi Hyman Krustofski took place in the FOX comedy's season premiere - which is due to air in the UK later this year - dramatically opening the show's 26th series.
The 53-year-old creative - who first began working on the show in 1989 - found it amusing when he heard that fans feared that Homer Simpson may be the doomed character.
He said: "The character that dies is Krusty's father and he's sad about it and we explore their relationship and that was actually the way it was always conceived.
"It was funny how even when it was trying to just tell the truth, people would always get it wrong, 'It's homer isn't it! You're killing Homer!' "
When asked if he would ever consider killing off the oafish Simpsons patriarch, he joked: "No, I'd be fired!"

Nicole Scherzinger is to make her West End debut in 'Cats'.
The 'Poison' hitmaker is "thrilled" to have been given the opportunity to star as Grizabella in the limited-run revival of Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber's London stage production later this year.
She said: "I am really thrilled to be making my West End debut in such an iconic show.
"I grew up listening to Andrew's extraordinary music and was lucky enough, a couple of years ago, to record Cats' beautiful song 'Memory'.
"Andrew's score is breathtaking and I am truly honoured to have been asked to take part in what I know will be a very special time in my career. I can't wait to begin rehearsals."
The full cast of the production - which will open at the Palladium on December 6 - has yet to be announced.
The musical, which is based on T. S. Eliot's 'Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats' will run for 12 weeks.
The award-winning show first opened on the West End in 1981 and ran for 21 years.
It opened on New York's Broadway in 1983 and ran for 18 years.
The former Pussycat Dolls star has previously performed Andrew's work on two occasions, firstly in 2011 when she sang the title track from 'The Phantom of the Opera' at the Royal Variety Performance as part of the production's 25th anniversary.
And last year, she sang 'Don't Cry For Me Argentina' from 'Evita' on UK TV special 'Andrew Lloyd Webber: 40 Musical Years'.

Chris Brown's mother is desperate for him to get away from gangs.
The 'Fine China' hitmaker's family and girlfriend Karrueche Tran are said to be worried about his association with the Bloods in Los Angeles and his mother and the model have even reportedly asked his therapist to intervene in his choice of friendships.
According to TMZ, the two women are concerned Chris is seriously "compromising his own safety" by appearing to promote the gang on social media and also worry he could ruin his career as he doesn't fully understand the implications of associating with the notorious group.
It was recently revealed the Los Angeles Police Department had privately met with nightclub owners and urged them to blacklist Chris and his crew, but they reportedly plan to continue to welcome the 'Turn Up The Music' singer and his entourage with open arms, as they make a lot of money from his performances.
A source said: "When Brown and his people show, we know what's going to happen. It's a headache for us."
A source previously claimed that Chris - who spent 108 days behind bars for violating his probation when he allegedly made threats about using guns while seeking anger-management treatment in rehab earlier this year - and Drake's club appearances and performances were under observation by a group of officers from the New York Police Department known as the 'Hip-Hop' squad in the wake of a shooting at Chris' party at the 1Oak nightclub in Los Angeles last month, in which three people, including music producer Suge Knight, were injured.

Taylor Swift is to visit London's The Shard next week for a charity challenge.
The 24-year-old singer will head to the iconic structure next Thursday (09.10.14) to challenge Capital radio presenters Dave Berry and Lisa Snowdon to raise as much money as possible for disadvantaged children and young people.
Whoever raises the least for Global's Make Some Noise national charity will have to clean the windows of the building - the tallest in western Europe - as a forfeit.
She said: "I have a little challenge for you. I want one of you to wash the windows. Easy you think - but I've arranged for you to do it at the top of the tallest building in the UK ... the Shard!
"The person that raises the least money between now and then will have to do it. See you there on the 9th!"
Lisa - who previously dated the now-married George Clooney - admits she is desperate to avoid the "terrifying" window cleaning challenge.
She said: "The forfeit for losing this challenge is possibly one of the most terrifying things I've ever been faced with, thanks Taylor!
"I need everyone's support on this - help me get Dave up there! Come on London I need your help!"
Join the fundraising appeal on Thursday October 9, 2014. Find out more by tuning in to Capital, visiting www.makesomenoise.com or following us on Twitter @makenoise.

George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin are legally married.
The couple - who tied the knot in Venice, Italy on Saturday (27.09.14) - underwent a civil ceremony at Palazzo Ca'Loredan, an official council building in the city, earlier today in accordance with Italian laws.
The ceremony was officiated by the 'Monuments Men' star's friend, former Rome Mayor Walter Viltroni, who also presided over the wedding on Saturday.
George wore a grey suit for the service, while Amal, 36, donned a simple cream trouser suit and floppy hat and the pair - who travelled to the venue in the same Amore boat they have used all weekend - exchanged their vows in the stunningly-decorated Sala Degli Affresch room.
The 53-year-old actor's favourite taxi driver, Alessandro Greco, was an official witness.
Speaking as he emerged from the building, smiling George told Us Weekly he felt "very good".
The weekend-long celebrations began on Friday (26.09.14) with bachelor and bachelorette parties, with their wedding taking place at the luxury Aman Canal Grande hotel on Saturday.
Yesterday (29.09.14), the couple hosted lunch at the Belmond Hotel Cipriani, where most guests had been staying and then they celebrated with another party in another area of the hotel later in the evening.