The calls for Neutrogena, a skincare company, to address an allegation made by Hayden Panettiere back in May have been increasing over the past few months, reaching a peak after the actor’s recent passing.
Neutrogena has now responded to the situation through a post on Instagram, where they did not delve into specifics regarding the termination of their long-term partnership with Panettiere or address the claim that it was due to her discussion of postpartum depression.
Instead, the brand expressed regret, stating, “We are proud to have partnered with her and understand that we made her feel unsupported during a very difficult time. This is not in line with Neutrogena’s values or identity.”
Background
Hayden Panettiere, known for her roles in various TV shows and movies, including being a global brand ambassador for Neutrogena from 2005 to 2015, faced backlash after publicly sharing her battle with postpartum depression in 2015.
Following her disclosure on a TV talk show, her partnership with Neutrogena came to an end.
During a recent podcast interview with Jay Shetty, Panettiere alleged that Neutrogena attempted to terminate her contract in response to her 2015 statements about postpartum depression.
She revealed, “My representative at the time said, ‘That’s illegal, you can’t do that,’ but I knew that I would not be invited back the next year.”
After the incident in 2015, Panettiere claimed to have received no communication from Neutrogena, highlighting the stigma surrounding postpartum depression.
Public Reaction
Fans showed disapproval towards Neutrogena following the podcast, with some initiating a boycott. One influencer even incorporated the podcast audio into a video denouncing the brand.
After Panettiere’s death, fans resumed their criticism of Neutrogena, flooding the company’s social media accounts, urging a response to the allegations.
One user on Threads demanded accountability from Neutrogena, garnering significant support.
Similar sentiments were echoed on Reddit, with users advocating for a boycott against the brand.
Neutrogena’s Statement
Neutrogena conveyed their sadness over Panettiere’s passing in their Instagram post, describing her as a valued member of their community.
The brand chose not to immediately address the situation after the actor’s death, out of respect for her family and loved ones.
They commended Panettiere’s bravery in speaking out and pledged to support initiatives that aid women dealing with postpartum depression, promising to provide further information once actions are taken.
