On October 8, 2026, actress and philanthropist Viola Davis announced her partnership with pharmaceutical company GSK to encourage adults over 50 to pay closer attention to their health in light of her shingles diagnosis.
Shingles is a medical condition that impacts the nerve endings under the skin primarily in those 50 years old or older due to the immune system weakening as people age. According to Mayo Clinic, the same virus that causes chickenpox is what can show up years later as shingles. The viral infection is often characterized as a painful, itchy, or tingling skin rash that materializes as blisters on the skin. Often, the rash is associated with an inflamed redness on the skin, but shingles presents differently on darker skin. Experts suggest noting areas of skin that burn or sting, small bumps that are pink, grayish, dark brown, or purple. Affected areas may also present as bumps that evolve into clusters of blisters filled with puss.
While the condition isn’t life-threatening or contagious, reports of the condition have accounted for extensive amounts of pain along with a fever, headache, and fatigue depending on how the condition shows up in one’s body. While the rash may come and go, it’s important to take heed in real time when it’s happening to receive medical support.
“I came face to face with one of those realities: my increased risk for shingles. Sure you’ve heard of shingles and may think it won’t happen to you, but don’t be like me. 99% of adults 50 years and older already have the virus that causes shingles inside their body. 1 in 3 people will develop shingles in their lifetime […] So, if you’re over 50 and feel great. I’m glad you do, but continuing to feel that way means investing in your health,” expressed Davis during her infomercial video with GSK.
During an appearance on TODAY with Jenna and Sheinelle, Davis dove deeper into her diagnosis and her partnership with GSK. “It manifests because I live on stress and I was living on stress and then all of a sudden I had blisters and it started on my stomach and wrapped around my back—extremely painful nerve pain. And then it went away and then it reappeared on my upper back. Nine out of ten pain, easy. Debilitating enough to just stay in bed all day, and then I didn’t do anything. It’s like I go to the doctor for colonoscopy, mammogram, pap smears but I didn’t go for this blistering rash. Then when I finally went to the doctor, they said well Viola you’re over 50 you know your immune system changes and you find out 1 out of 3 people have it and they tell you what your risk is and what to do to prevent it,”
Statistics show that shingles is forty to fifty percent less common for Black people, but the 99% Davis refers to is specifically regarding adults born before 1980. Beyond taking care of yourself, it’s essential to listen to your body as changes arise and advocate for answers with your medical provider, especially if you are someone with a history of having chickenpox.