Neutrogena has finally addressed the ongoing demands for accountability following Hayden Panettiere’s allegations first raised in May, which intensified after her recent passing. In a recent Instagram post, Neutrogena acknowledged the end of its partnership with Panettiere without delving into specifics surrounding the termination or the claim that it was linked to her discussion on postpartum depression.
The skincare brand expressed pride in its collaboration with Panettiere but admitted to failing to provide adequate support during her challenging period, emphasizing that such behavior does not align with Neutrogena’s values. Panettiere, known for her roles in various TV shows and movies, had been a global ambassador for the company from 2005 to 2015. Her public account of battling postpartum depression in 2015 coincided with the end of her long-standing association with the brand.
During an interview on the podcast “On Purpose” with Jay Shetty, Panettiere alleged that Neutrogena had attempted to terminate her contract based on a morality clause due to her comments on postpartum depression. Despite her representative’s intervention, she felt the company had already made up its mind about not renewing her contract for the following year.
Following Panettiere’s death, fans expressed outrage and reignited calls for Neutrogena to address the situation publicly. The boycott movement gained momentum, with one influencer even incorporating Panettiere’s podcast audio into a video titled “Neutrogena hates women.” Users flooded Neutrogena’s social media accounts demanding accountability and questioning the brand’s stance on postpartum depression.
In response to the mounting pressure, Neutrogena expressed deep sorrow over Panettiere’s passing and praised her for initiating crucial discussions on mental health. The brand emphasized its commitment to supporting women’s mental health initiatives and pledged a significant investment in community healthcare partners to provide better access to postpartum depression resources. Neutrogena promised to share further details once the initiatives are in place.