For months, demands have been growing for skincare brand Neutrogena to address an accusation made by Hayden Panettiere in May. These calls intensified following the actor’s recent passing. Neutrogena has now broken its silence, taking to Instagram to respond.
In their Instagram post, Neutrogena acknowledged the end of their long-standing partnership with Panettiere without delving into specifics regarding the reason behind it. The brand expressed regret for making Panettiere feel unsupported during a challenging period, emphasizing that such actions do not align with Neutrogena’s values.
Panettiere, known for her roles in various TV shows and movies, served as Neutrogena’s global brand ambassador from 2005 to 2015. Following her public discussion of postpartum depression in 2015, her collaboration with Neutrogena came to an end.
During a podcast interview with Jay Shetty, Panettiere alleged that Neutrogena attempted to terminate her contract due to her comments on postpartum depression violating a morality clause. She highlighted the stigma and misconceptions surrounding postpartum depression and expressed disappointment in how she was treated by the company.
Subsequently, fans mobilized a boycott against Neutrogena after the podcast episode aired. The backlash resurfaced after Panettiere’s death, with supporters urging the brand to address the situation publicly. Social media platforms were inundated with calls for accountability, with users demanding transparency from Neutrogena.
Neutrogena’s response on Instagram expressed sadness over Panettiere’s passing and praised her courage in speaking out. The brand committed to making a substantial investment in supporting women’s mental health, particularly in addressing postpartum depression. Neutrogena pledged to share further details once their initiatives are implemented.