Neutrogena Responds to Backlash Following Hayden Panettiere's Death
Hayden Panettiere, a former Neutrogena ambassador, passed away on August 16. The actress had claimed her decade-long contract with Neutrogena was cancelled after she discussed her postpartum depression publicly.
Panettiere appeared on Jay Shetty's On Purpose podcast in May, discussing her struggles with mental health following the birth of her daughter in 2014. Clips of her podcast appearance and a 2015 TV interview started recirculating online following her death, prompting a backlash on social media against the Kenvue-owned brand.
Neutrogena has issued a statement on its official Instagram and TikTok pages, saying it was deeply saddened by Panettiere's passing. The company acknowledged that it made Panettiere feel unsupported during a difficult time and stated that this was not in line with Neutrogena's values.
According to the statement, Neutrogena is making a significant investment in a long-standing community health partner to help give more women access to support, including care for postpartum depression.
Panettiere became a Neutrogena Brand Ambassador in 2005 and went on to front global campaigns for the skin care brand.
Panettiere said in her On Purpose appearance that she had a morals clause in her contract with Neutrogena and that she was fired over her discussion of postpartum depression. Neutrogena's statement did not confirm or deny this claim.
The company's statement continued: "Hayden's courage sharing her challenges helped inspire important conversations and awareness. We are making a significant investment to a long-standing community health partner to help give more women access to the support they need, including care for postpartum depression."
Neutrogena said it will share more details with the community when plans are in place. The company extended its deepest condolences to Panettiere's family and all who loved her.
Panettiere's death has sparked a renewed focus on mental health awareness and support. Neutrogena's response to the backlash has been met with a mix of reactions, with some praising the company's commitment to supporting women's mental health and others expressing skepticism about the timing and sincerity of the statement.
The company's decision to disable comments on its social media pages has also been noted, with some interpreting this as an attempt to avoid further criticism.
As the fragrance industry continues to grapple with issues of mental health and body positivity, Neutrogena's response to the backlash will be closely watched by industry observers and consumers alike.
The company's statement on Hayden Panettiere's death serves as a reminder of the importance of supporting women's mental health and the need for brands to take a stand on issues that affect their customers and ambassadors.
