Who is the actress in the Dial commercial?
Uncovering the face behind the “Dial Up Your Day” campaign
(By Carmichael Phillip)
The commercial you saw — what it is
The advertisement in question is part of the Dial body‑wash campaign titled “Dial Up Your Day”, specifically promoting the “Exfoliate & Restore Cocoa Butter & Orange Extract Body Wash” in early 2024.
According to ad‑tracking listings, the 15‑second TV spot “Cocoa Butter & Orange Exfoliating Body Wash – Soft and Healthy Feeling Skin” features actress and director Melissa Fumero.
Hence, if you remember an ad where a recognizable actress says something like “I’m very excited to partner with Dial again…” or talks about skin‑care/routine with a tone of authenticity, it is almost certainly this one.
Who is Melissa Fumero?
Melissa Fumero is an American actress and director, widely known for her role as Amy Santiago in the long‑running TV comedy series Brooklyn Nine‑Nine (2013‑2021).
Her career highlight includes:
Being cast in Brooklyn Nine‑Nine, which brought her significant recognition and a broad fan base.
Transitioning into directing and taking on various projects behind the camera.
More recently teaming with brands for campaigns like Dial as part of her public‑profile activity. According to the press release from Dial, “Self care has become really important to me these last few years … Thanks to Dial, my skin feels refreshed and reset…” — words directly attributed to her.
Her involvement in the “Dial Up Your Day” campaign thus merges her public identity (working mom, actor/director) with the brand’s message of prioritizing self‑care.
Why Dial chose her for this campaign
There are multiple strategic reasons why Dial selected Melissa Fumero for this campaign:
Relatable profile: As a working mom and actress, Melissa identifies with the brand’s target of everyday consumers who juggle busy lives and still want moments for self‑care. According to the campaign announcement: “She is someone who identifies with our consumer base and appeals to those who might need a reminder to set aside some extra time for themselves.”
Authenticity in messaging: Her quote in the release emphasised real skin‑care moments: “Thanks to Dial, my skin feels refreshed and reset, and I feel confident to tackle whatever the day brings.”
Using a known figure who captures both aspirational and accessible helps the brand move beyond “just soap/cleanser” to “you deserve this moment.”
Campaign alignment: The campaign sought to evolve Dial’s positioning from simply “clean” to “radiant confidence” and “healthy‑feeling skin”. Melissa’s persona fits that uplifted yet grounded tone.
Media visibility: Having a well‑known actress elevates the campaign’s visibility and helps it stand out in the crowded body‑wash/soap market, particularly when launching new innovations (such as the Exfoliate & Restore Cocoa Butter & Orange Extract formula).
What exactly the ad conveys (and what you watched)
In the commercial, you’ll notice several narrative and visual cues:
The product (“Exfoliate & Restore Cocoa Butter & Orange Extract Body Wash”) is showcased with bright visuals (orange extract imagery, whipped cocoa butter texture) and the message of “Soft and Healthy Feeling Skin”.
Melissa appears in everyday settings or in spots that simulate moments of self‑care or morning routines, aligning with the “Dial Up Your Day” theme. This implies the brand is not just for when you’re extremely glamorous, but for your daily reset moment.
The marketing copy emphasises accessible price, family usage and that “looking and feeling like her best self” is achievable.
So if you recognised the actress from the ad and thought “I know that face”, that face is indeed Melissa Fumero.
Clarifying possible confusion
That said, there are a few caveats worth noting:
Dial is a large brand with multiple campaigns, regions and product lines. The one we are referring to (2024 campaign with Melissa Fumero) is specifically for a body wash product. If you saw a different Dial commercial (e.g., bar soap, hand soap, older ad), the actress may differ.
Some commercials may not credit the actor publicly, or the person you recall may be a “model/actor” rather than a celebrity name. But in this case the brand press release and ad‑listing do clearly identify Melissa Fumero.
If the ad you remember had a tagline other than “Dial Up Your Day” (for example “Dial Up Your Clean” or “Dial Up Your Confidence”) then it might be a subsequent campaign with a different talent. For example, Dial’s 2025 positioning shift involved a different duo (country music duo Maddie & Tae) in social media posts.
Therefore: If your memory matches the “Dial Up Your Day / Cocoa Butter & Orange” spot, it’s highly likely the actress is Melissa Fumero. If the ad was a different version, another person might be featured.
Why this question matters & what it says about advertising
Why do people ask “who is the actress in that Dial commercial?” for what seems like a simple product ad? Several reasons:
Recognition factor: When viewers recognise a familiar face in a commercial, it interrupts the typical ad “noise” and asks us to pay attention. That recognition drives brand recall.
Brand‑talent alignment: Knowing who the actress is helps us evaluate if the choice makes sense. In this case, Dial’s brand message aligns with Melissa’s public identity (working actress/mom, prioritising self‑care). That authenticity can strengthen advertising impact.
Movement from product to story: Modern ads increasingly focus on stories, self‑care narratives and lifestyle positioning rather than just “this soap cleans you”. When a brand moves into “feel good”, “confidence”, “healthy skin” territory, the talent becomes a storytelling device. Here, Melissa is not just “soap commercial actress” but a person whose routines echo those of the audience.
Media tracking & crediting: For advertising enthusiasts and even talent agencies, being featured as a brand partner counts as credit and visibility. That’s why press releases and ad‑listing databases record names (as we found).
By asking “who is the actress?” you are pointing to a larger facet of advertising: the interplay between celebrity/actor, brand messaging and consumer perception.
Final verdict
To answer succinctly: The actress featured in the current Dial body‑wash commercial (the “Dial Up Your Day” campaign for Exfoliate & Restore Cocoa Butter & Orange Extract) is Melissa Fumero.
Her selection as brand ambassador for Dial aligns strategically with the brand’s direction: from cleansing to confident self‑care. The campaign announcement confirms her involvement.
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