For months, there have been increasing demands for skincare brand Neutrogena to address an accusation made by Hayden Panettiere in May. These calls intensified following the actor’s recent passing. In response, Neutrogena took to Instagram to issue a statement.
The Instagram post, which disabled comments, did not delve into the specifics of why their long-standing partnership with Panettiere terminated or address the claim that it was related to her discussion on postpartum depression. Neutrogena expressed pride in their collaboration with her but acknowledged that she felt unsupported during a challenging period. The brand emphasized that such behavior was not reflective of their values.
Panettiere, known for her roles in shows like “Heroes” and “Nashville,” served as a global brand ambassador for Neutrogena from 2005 to 2015. After openly discussing her battle with postpartum depression on “Live with Kelly and Michael” in 2015, her partnership with Neutrogena ended shortly thereafter.
In a podcast interview with Jay Shetty, Panettiere claimed that Neutrogena had attempted to dismiss her in 2015 due to her comments, citing a morality clause in her contract. Following the incident, she stated that she received no communication from the company. This experience shed light on the misconceptions and stigma surrounding postpartum depression for her.
Subsequent to the podcast’s release, fans initiated a boycott against Neutrogena. The backlash resurfaced after Panettiere’s passing, with supporters urging the company to address the situation. Neutrogena’s Instagram and Threads accounts were inundated with comments demanding a public response to the allegations.
Neutrogena eventually addressed the situation on Instagram, expressing deep sorrow over Panettiere’s death and characterizing her as a valued member of their community. The brand refrained from an immediate response post the actor’s demise out of respect for her family. They commended Panettiere’s bravery in speaking out and pledged to contribute to raising awareness on the issue by investing in community health programs to support women dealing with postpartum depression. Further details on these initiatives will be shared once they are implemented.