Skincare brand Neutrogena faced mounting pressure to address an accusation by Hayden Panettiere dating back to May. Calls for action intensified following the actor’s recent passing. In response, Neutrogena took to Instagram, where it issued a statement without allowing comments. The brand acknowledged the end of its long-standing collaboration with Panettiere but refrained from delving into specifics regarding the termination, including the alleged link to her discussion on postpartum depression.
During her tenure as a global brand ambassador for Neutrogena from 2005 to 2015, Panettiere, known for roles in various TV shows and movies, openly battled postpartum depression following the birth of her daughter in 2014. She revealed her struggles on a talk show in 2015, after which her partnership with Neutrogena concluded. Panettiere later disclosed that Neutrogena had purportedly sought to dismiss her for breaching a morality clause in her contract due to those remarks in 2015.
Panettiere expressed disappointment with the lack of communication from the company following the incident. This experience shed light on societal misconceptions and stigma surrounding postpartum depression, as shared during an interview with Jay Shetty on his podcast.
Following the podcast’s release, fans mobilized a boycott against Neutrogena, with some influencers leveraging the podcast’s content to criticize the brand. The recent news of Panettiere’s demise reignited public outrage, prompting supporters to demand accountability from Neutrogena through various social media platforms.
In its Instagram statement, Neutrogena expressed sorrow over Panettiere’s death and praised her for initiating essential dialogues. The brand vowed to support those in need by investing in community health programs aimed at aiding women dealing with postpartum depression. Neutrogena committed to providing further updates on its initiatives once they are implemented.
