Neutrogena Faces Pressure Over Handling of Hayden Panettiere Allegation
Calls for skincare giant Neutrogena to address an allegation from Hayden Panettiere that surfaced in May have been mounting for months, especially following the actor’s recent passing. In response, Neutrogena took to Instagram to issue a statement.
In the Instagram post, which did not allow comments, Neutrogena acknowledged the end of its partnership with Panettiere without delving into specifics or directly addressing the allegation linked to her discussion on 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 popular shows like “Heroes” and “Nashville,” served as a global brand ambassador for Neutrogena from 2005 to 2015. After publicly sharing her battle with postpartum depression in 2015, her partnership with Neutrogena abruptly concluded.
During a podcast interview with Jay Shetty, Panettiere claimed that Neutrogena attempted to terminate her contract citing a morality clause due to her remarks on postpartum depression, a move her representative deemed unlawful. Following the incident, Panettiere received no communication from the company.
The fallout from the podcast led to fan-led boycotts against Neutrogena, with one influencer even using podcast excerpts to criticize the brand. Amid renewed scrutiny following Panettiere’s demise, fans have been pressuring Neutrogena across social media platforms to address the situation publicly.
In response to the mounting pressure, Neutrogena expressed deep sorrow over Panettiere’s passing and praised her for sparking crucial conversations on postpartum depression. The brand vowed to invest significantly in a community health partner to enhance support for women facing similar challenges, pledging further details once initiatives are underway.