For months, demands have been mounting for skincare brand Neutrogena to address an accusation made in May by Hayden Panettiere. These calls intensified following the actor’s recent passing. Neutrogena has now broken its silence through an Instagram post. The post, which doesn’t allow comments, did not delve into specifics regarding the termination of its long partnership with Panettiere or address the claim that it was due to her discussion about postpartum depression. Neutrogena expressed pride in its past collaboration with Panettiere but acknowledged that she felt unsupported during a challenging period, stating that such behavior does not align with the brand’s values.
Panettiere, known for her roles in shows like “Heroes,” “Bring it On: All or Nothing,” and “Nashville,” served as a global brand ambassador for Neutrogena from 2005 to 2015. Following the birth of her daughter in late 2014, she openly shared her postpartum depression struggle on the talk show “Live with Kelly and Michael” in 2015. Shortly after, her partnership with Neutrogena came to an end. During a podcast interview with Jay Shetty earlier this year, Panettiere alleged that Neutrogena had attempted to terminate her contract due to her 2015 remarks about postpartum depression, citing a morality clause. Despite her representative’s intervention, she believed she wouldn’t be invited back to represent Neutrogena.
Panettiere mentioned receiving no communication from the company after the incident in 2015, shedding light on the stigma surrounding postpartum depression and women’s perception. This revelation led to a backlash from fans, with some organizing a boycott against Neutrogena following the podcast. The criticism resurfaced after Panettiere’s demise, prompting fans to demand a public response from Neutrogena on social media platforms.
In its Instagram statement, Neutrogena expressed deep sorrow over Panettiere’s passing and recognized her as a cherished member of the brand community. The company refrained from an immediate response post-actor’s death out of respect for her family and loved ones. Neutrogena commended Panettiere’s bravery in speaking out and highlighted the positive impact her disclosure had on raising awareness about postpartum depression. The brand pledged a significant investment in a community health partner to enhance support for women, including those dealing with postpartum depression, promising to reveal more details once the initiatives are implemented.