For several months, there have been increasing demands 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 broken its silence by releasing a statement on Instagram.
In the Instagram post, which does not allow comments, Neutrogena acknowledged that they did not elaborate on the reasons behind the termination of their long-term partnership with Panettiere or directly address the allegation that it was linked to her discussion about postpartum depression. The brand expressed regret over making Panettiere feel unsupported during a challenging period, emphasizing that such conduct does not align with Neutrogena’s values.
Panettiere, known for her roles in “Heroes,” “Bring it On: All or Nothing,” and “Nashville,” served as a global brand ambassador for Neutrogena from 2005 to 2015. After giving birth to a daughter in late 2014, she openly shared her battle with postpartum depression on the TV talk show “Live with Kelly and Michael” in 2015. Shortly afterward, her partnership with Neutrogena came to an end.
During a conversation with Jay Shetty on his podcast “On Purpose” in May, Panettiere claimed that Neutrogena had attempted to dismiss her for the comments she made in 2015 by invoking a morality clause in her contract. Despite legal objections raised by her representative at the time, Panettiere believed that she would not be re-invited to represent Neutrogena the following year.
The response to Panettiere’s revelations led to fans organizing a boycott against Neutrogena. One beauty influencer even incorporated the podcast audio into a video titled “Neutrogena hates women!” Following Panettiere’s sudden death, supporters have once again voiced their discontent. They have bombarded Neutrogena’s Instagram and Threads accounts, urging the company to address the controversy publicly.
Neutrogena, in its Instagram statement, expressed deep sorrow over Panettiere’s passing and described her as a valued member of their community. The brand chose not to respond immediately after the actor’s demise out of respect for her family. Neutrogena commended Panettiere’s bravery in speaking out, stating that her actions sparked vital discussions and raised awareness on the issue. The company pledged to make a substantial investment in a long-standing health partner to enhance access to support for women, including postpartum depression care. Further details on these initiatives will be shared once they are implemented.