For several months, there has been a growing demand for Neutrogena, a skincare company, to address an accusation made by Hayden Panettiere back in May. The calls for action intensified following the actor’s recent passing. Neutrogena has now issued a statement on Instagram, although comments on the post are disabled.
In their Instagram post, Neutrogena did not delve into the specific reasons behind the termination of their long-standing partnership with Panettiere, nor did they directly address the claim that it was linked to her discussion about postpartum depression. The brand expressed regret over potentially making Panettiere feel unsupported during a challenging period, emphasizing that such behavior does not align with Neutrogena’s values.
Panettiere, known for her roles in various TV shows and movies, 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 struggles with postpartum depression in a 2015 appearance on the show “Live with Kelly and Michael.” Shortly after this public disclosure, her partnership with Neutrogena came to an end.
During a podcast interview with Jay Shetty in May, Panettiere alleged that Neutrogena had attempted to dismiss her over her comments on postpartum depression by invoking a morality clause in her contract. Despite her representative’s intervention, she felt she would not be invited back to represent Neutrogena the following year.
In response to the backlash from fans, who organized a boycott against Neutrogena after the podcast episode was released, the company faced renewed criticism following Panettiere’s death. Fans flooded Neutrogena’s social media accounts, urging the company to address the situation publicly.
Neutrogena’s post following Panettiere’s passing expressed deep sadness over her death and recognized her as a valued member of their community. The brand refrained from an immediate response out of respect for Panettiere’s family and friends. Neutrogena praised Panettiere’s courage in speaking out and stated that her actions had sparked important conversations, leading to a commitment to supporting women’s mental health, particularly in addressing postpartum depression. The brand pledged a substantial investment in a community health partner to enhance support services for women in need, with further details to be shared once initiatives are implemented.