For months, the demand for skincare brand Neutrogena to address an accusation made by Hayden Panettiere in May has been increasing. The calls intensified following the actor’s recent passing. Neutrogena has now issued a statement on Instagram, although comments on the post are disabled. The brand did not delve into specifics regarding the termination of its long-term partnership with Panettiere or address the claim that it was related to her discussion about postpartum depression.
Neutrogena stated, “We are proud to have collaborated with her and acknowledge that we failed to offer support during a challenging period. This does not align with Neutrogena’s values or desired image.”
Panettiere, known for her roles in various TV shows and as a former global brand ambassador for Neutrogena, alleged during a podcast interview in May that the brand attempted to terminate her contract in 2015 due to her public comments on postpartum depression. She mentioned that despite objections from her representative, she knew she would not be rehired by Neutrogena for the following year.
Panettiere expressed disappointment over the lack of communication from the company post-2015 incident, highlighting the stigma and misunderstandings surrounding postpartum depression. Subsequently, fans initiated a boycott against Neutrogena following the podcast’s release, with one influencer even incorporating podcast excerpts into a video titled “Neutrogena hates women.”
After Panettiere’s demise, fans have reignited their demands for Neutrogena to address the situation publicly. Messages flooding Neutrogena’s Instagram and Threads accounts call for accountability. The company’s response on Instagram expressed sorrow over Panettiere’s death and commended her for shedding light on crucial issues. Neutrogena pledged to invest significantly in community health partners to enhance support for women dealing with postpartum depression, promising further details once plans are implemented.