For several months, demands for Neutrogena to address an accusation from Hayden Panettiere made in May have been increasing. The calls became more intense following the actor’s recent passing. Neutrogena has now responded through an Instagram post that does not allow comments. The post did not delve into specifics regarding the termination of their long-standing partnership with Panettiere or address the allegation that it was linked to her discussion about postpartum depression.
Neutrogena expressed pride in their collaboration with Panettiere but acknowledged that she felt unsupported during a challenging period. The brand emphasized that this behavior does not align with Neutrogena’s values. Panettiere, known for her roles in various TV shows and as a former global brand ambassador for Neutrogena from 2005 to 2015, revealed her battle with postpartum depression on a talk show in 2015. Shortly after this disclosure, her partnership with Neutrogena ended.
During an interview on the podcast “On Purpose” with Jay Shetty in May, Panettiere claimed that Neutrogena attempted to terminate her contract due to her 2015 remarks on postpartum depression. She mentioned that despite her representative’s intervention, it was evident that she would not be retained by Neutrogena for the following year. Panettiere highlighted the stigma surrounding postpartum depression and the challenges faced by women who experience it.
After the podcast episode was released, fans initiated a boycott against Neutrogena, with some influencers publicly criticizing the brand. Following Panettiere’s death, fans have renewed their calls for Neutrogena to address the situation. Social media platforms have been flooded with messages urging the company to respond to the allegations and criticisms.
Neutrogena, in its Instagram statement, expressed deep sorrow over Panettiere’s passing and described her as a valued member of their community. The brand refrained from an immediate response after the actor’s death out of respect for her family. They commended Panettiere’s bravery in speaking out and pledged to contribute to raising awareness and supporting women facing postpartum depression. Neutrogena announced plans to invest significantly in a community health partner to expand access to necessary support services, promising to provide more details once the initiatives are in place.