Otezla Commercial: Who Plays Ned In The Psoriasis Medication Ad @ Its Prime Media (2024)

Otezla Commercial: Who Plays Ned In The Psoriasis Medication Ad

Summary The Ned Otezla commercial features a man gaining confidence to go on a date despite his plaque psoriasis, thanks to Otezla treatment.

Actor and fitness instructor Jono Selvadurai plays Ned in the Otezla commercial, bringing his dance and comedy improv background to the role.

Otezla opts for non-celebrity cast in commercials, like Jono Selvadurai, to showcase how the treatment can help people dealing with psoriasis.

TV watchers and YouTube surfers will have stumbled across an Otezla commercial or two in 2024 and may be wondering just who is the mustachioed man at the center of the ad. Otezla is an FDA-approved treatment for plaque psoriasis. Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disease that results in rapid skin cell growth which causes an itchy rash with dry patches that form on the skin. Skin cells should grow and fall off within a month, but people with psoriasis grow cells in just a few days, faster than they can fall off, resulting in a build-up.

It's a chronic disease that generally goes through stages, flaring up and then going away (via Mayo Clinic). Psoriasis can be painful and interfere with sleep, and people with it may lose confidence in their physical appearance. The Otezla website claims that the drug can help users achieve clearer skin in four months without requiring a blood test like other brands. Many TV commercials have specific actors who become associated with the brands, but Otezla commercials have switched their subjects in and out over the years.

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The Ned Otezla Commercial Explained

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In the Ned Otezla commercials, the latest ad campaign from Otzela, a man steps out of an Uber in front of a movie theater marquee, clearly ready for a date as he looks at a dating profile on his phone. A voice-over introduces the silent protagonist, "Introducing, Ned's plaque psoriasis!" The normal city street is suddenly transformed into a red (yellow) carpet with photographers and interviewers. Ned is embarrassed by his psoriasis and so imagines everyone is staring at him. However, Ned has taken Otezla and has nothing to fear.

He has a great date and the hug at the end signals there's more to come. It's a snappy ad and quickly explains how exactly Otezla can help someone with psoriasis. Ned is the perfect stand-in for a 30-something everyman who dates, goes out in public, and seems generally pleasant to be around. The only thing he thinks is holding him back is his discomfort with his psoriasis and Otezla has got him covered. Ned doesn't say anything in the commercial, but he keeps the happy and hopeful look that anyone looking for reprieve could hope to have.

Actor & Fitness Instructor Jono Selvadurai Plays Ned

Selvadurai Is A London-Based Dancer, Improv Comic, And Brand Ambassador

While some brands opt for celebrity cameos in their commercials, Otezla went with Jono Selvadurai, a New-Zealand born, England-based performer and fitness instructor (via LinkedIn). Selvadurai has a background in dance, choreography, and fitness, and he performs comedy improv with the London group, The Free Association. He graduated from the New Zealand School of Dance in 2011 and has been a brand ambassador for Lululemon and Allbirds (via Instagram). He's even appeared in an Allbirds YouTube infomercial where he gives running tips.

Selvadurai has earned accolades for his fitness accomplishments, including being voted as London's Trainer of the Year through a public vote for a company he works for called 1Rebel. He has also appeared in French Horn Rebellion’s "Dancing Out" music video where he stars in the '80s-inspired song, mouthing the lyrics and putting his athleticism and dance training to good use. The Otezla commercial could be a sign of bigger things to come, and there's no doubt Jono Selvadurai will be popping up again in the future.