John Legend links love, wellness and skin health in keynote conversation | AAD 2026

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) opened its 2026 annual meeting this evening in Denver. The program featured a conversation with EGOT winner John Legend, in which he discussed the importance of love and wellness and how they influenced the creation of his skincare line, Loved01.

This year’s conference marks a record-setting moment for the organization, with more than 300 sessions scheduled, including 42 new additions. Attendees will also engage with approximately 2,000 e-posters and more than 400 oral presentations — the largest number in the meeting’s history. The scale reflects both the rapid evolution of dermatologic science and the growing demand for innovation across clinical and managed care settings.

The opening session was hosted by Susan C. Taylor, M.D., the current president of AAD. Taylor began the evening by welcoming the attendees and reflecting on the guiding theme of her presidency: supporting dermatologists so they can better care for patients. She emphasized the importance of physician well-being in an increasingly complex healthcare landscape.

“It's truly been an extraordinary year,” Taylor said. “I'm incredibly proud of what we've accomplished together and deeply grateful for the privilege of serving this academy and this community.”

The evening also underscored leadership transitions within the academy. As part of the program, attendees heard remarks from both candidates, offering insight into the organization’s future direction. Voting for the AAD president-elect has officially opened and will remain open through the final day of the conference, which is Tuesday.

In addition, the Academy recognized one of dermatology’s most influential figures, awarding the AAD Gold Medal to Henry W. Lim, M.D., an internationally recognized dermatology expert and former chair of dermatology at Henry Ford Health.

Before transitioning to the keynote session, Taylor led a moment of silence in honor of Robert Sidbury, M.D., a prominent pediatric dermatologist from Seattle who died unexpectedly in 2025 while speaking at the AAD Innovation Academy.

The tone then shifted as Legend joined Taylor onstage for a discussion that connected dermatology with broader themes of identity and vulnerability. Taylor pointed to the deeply personal nature of skin disease, noting that patients often present during moments of emotional openness. Legend drew a parallel to his music, referencing his song ‘All of Me’ as an expression of embracing imperfection and loving the whole person.

“We all have flaws,” Legend said. “We all have vulnerabilities, and I think the definition of being truly in love with someone and wanting to partner with them is accepting the whole person, loving the whole person and befriending the whole person.”

The conversation also explored wellness as a professional necessity. For Legend, maintaining his health is directly tied to his ability to perform.

“When I think about wellness, I want to take care of my body, because my body is my instrument and it's my livelihood,” Legend said. “If I don't take great care of my body, including my skin, then I'm not maximizing what I'm able to do as an artist.”

That perspective informed the creation of his skincare brand, Loved01. Legend explained that he aimed to develop products that deliver the quality and experience of luxury skincare while remaining accessible to a broader audience.

“Skincare in our family is a family thing. We thought a perfect name for it would be “Loved01” because it's referring to an act of self-love but also sharing that with the people you love.”