Ahead of the long-running drama's new season, the actor and singer shares an inspiring message for more than 31 million Americans.
When Grey’s Anatomy returns to TV screens for its 22nd season on Thursday, October 9, actor, singer, and performer Trevor Jackson will emerge as one of the new faces joining the Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital team. Before he makes his debut on staff at the fictional hospital, Jackson talked with The Healthy by Reader’s Digest about a health issue that’s important to him: eczema.
Jackson, 29, who played Young Simba on The Lion King national tour from 2005 to 2008, has seen how the skin condition affects others, including his father and cousin—and how it can present differently on a range of skin tones. According to the National Eczema Association, more than 31 million Americans have some form of eczema, with symptoms appearing as “pink or red rashes with bumps and crust” for those with light to medium skin tones or “dark brown, gray or purple with dry, small bumps” for people with medium to dark skin tones.
Jackson recently partnered with the pharmaceutical company Lilly to spread the word about EBGLYSS, an injectable medication for some patients with moderate to severe eczema. “I was really excited to work on the EBGLYSS commercial because as an artist I love making music, and it was awesome to re-record a nostalgic song [“Real Love” by Mary J. Blige] we all know and love,” Jackson told us.
Ahead, he shares why the message behind EBGYLSS is so compelling and what he wants people with eczema to know.
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The Healthy by Reader’s Digest: Trevor, first of all, congrats on being cast on Grey’s! What were you doing the moment you got the news?
Trevor Jackson: Thank you so much! I was at dinner. I was so elated I almost spilled my drink.
The Healthy: You’ve been working a long time. How did you get into the business?
Trevor Jackson: I started off tap dancing. One of my biggest inspirations was [the late dancer and actor] Gregory Hines. Once I saw him in his element, I knew that’s what I wanted to do. He did it all—acting, singing, and dancing. Then I got The Lion King and was Young Simba for three years, and I saw how much joy it brought to everyone in the audience. I knew this is what I was supposed to do, so we moved to L.A. and pursued my career.
The Healthy: When did you your dad start to experience eczema symptoms? How did it impact your his daily life?
Trevor Jackson: My dad has had eczema since he was in high school. His eczema usually appears on his forehead, cheeks, nose, scalp and elbows. The patches are white and a little bit grey, and look like irritated, lifted skin. Sometimes when he scratches, the flakes will fall off his skin and look more obvious because they’re white flakes and he has darker skin. He has said that it’s itchy and bothersome and makes him uncomfortable. When he was younger, he thought he just had super dry skin, but eventually he found a doctor who diagnosed him with eczema.
I’m sharing my dad’s experiences with eczema because I want to help educate people with moderate to severe eczema so that they can find options that help manage their symptoms. People with eczema should have real, meaningful conversations with their doctor about their treatment options to find something that works for them.
The Healthy: You said you were “proud to partner with Lilly because of its dedication to better understanding the needs of eczema patients with darker skin tones.” Can you share more about that?
Trevor Jackson: I learned that Lilly has a clinical trial studying moderate to severe eczema across a range of skin tones, and I think that’s beautiful. I think it’s great that they’re helping bring awareness to how moderate to severe eczema can show up differently in people with darker skin tones … it will help people feel more open talking about their eczema.
I want people with moderate to severe eczema to know that they’re not alone. A lot of people may feel like they’re the only ones going through something, but I want people to know that there are treatment options like EBGLYSS and companies like Lilly that are working to help people who feel underrepresented in eczema treatment see themselves reflected and feel included.
The Healthy: Finally, what’s one self-care habit you refuse to skip?
Trevor Jackson: Going to the gym is a must for my mental and physical health. Also, surfing. I have been journaling, which I think everyone should do.
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This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
