Neutrogena Faces Backlash Over Handling of Hayden Panettiere Allegation
Recently, the skincare brand Neutrogena has come under increasing pressure to address accusations made by Hayden Panettiere earlier this year. The calls for action intensified following the tragic passing of the actor. Neutrogena has now broken its silence with a statement on Instagram.
In their Instagram post, which does not allow comments, Neutrogena acknowledged that their long-standing partnership with Panettiere had ended. However, the brand did not delve into the specifics behind the termination or directly respond to allegations that it was linked to Panettiere speaking out about postpartum depression. The company stated, “We are proud to have partnered with her and understand that we made her feel unsupported during a very difficult time. This is not reflective of Neutrogena’s values or desired image.”
Panettiere, known for her roles in various TV shows and movies, including being a former Neutrogena global brand ambassador, disclosed her battle with postpartum depression publicly in 2015. Following her candid revelation, her partnership with Neutrogena came to an end. During a podcast interview with Jay Shetty earlier this year, Panettiere alleged that Neutrogena had attempted to terminate her contract over her 2015 comments about postpartum depression, citing a morality clause.
The revelation sparked a backlash from fans who organized a boycott against Neutrogena. The company faced renewed criticism following Panettiere’s death, with supporters urging the brand to address the situation publicly through social media avenues.
Neutrogena’s response on Instagram expressed deep sorrow over Panettiere’s passing and praised her for shedding light on an important issue. The brand stated that it would be investing significantly in community health initiatives to provide more support for women dealing with postpartum depression. Neutrogena pledged to share further details once the initiatives are put into action.