Neutrogena has publicly addressed mounting backlash after a resurfaced interview showed former ambassador Hayden Panettiere claiming the skincare brand attempted to 'fire' her in 2015 for publicly discussing her postpartum depression. The statement came after the late actress, who died last week at age 36, faced renewed scrutiny of her treatment by the company.
Panettiere, best known for her roles in Heroes and Nashville, was found dead at age 36. Police and a drug enforcement agency are investigating her death. As tributes poured in, old interviews resurfaced, including her appearance on Jay Shetty's On Purpose podcast, where she detailed her shock exit from Neutrogena.
Panettiere's Claim of Being 'Fired' for Speaking Out
During the podcast episode, Panettiere alleged that Neutrogena attempted to end her ambassadorship in 2015 after she publicly opened up about suffering from postpartum depression. She said her agent managed to push back at the time, but the actor felt 'that was gonna be it' and she was 'not gonna be invited back the next year.' Panettiere had been a Neutrogena ambassador since 2005, serving for a decade in total.
Since the clip circulated widely, Neutrogena faced significant criticism and threats of a boycott from fans. The company responded with a statement on social media, acknowledging its failure to support the actress.
Neutrogena's Statement and Commitment to Change
'We are deeply saddened by Hayden Panettiere's passing. For more than a decade, Hayden was a valued member of our Neutrogena community,' the statement began. It continued: 'We are proud to have partnered with her and understand that we made her feel unsupported during a very difficult time. This is not what Neutrogena stands for or who we want to be.'
The company praised the late Ice Princess star's 'courage' in discussing her 'challenges' and 'inspiring important conversations.' Neutrogena also vowed to make a 'significant investment' in a 'long-standing community health partner' to support women in need, including those with postpartum depression. The statement concluded: 'Out of respect for Hayden's family and loved ones, we did not want to speak out so soon following her passing. Everyone at Neutrogena extends their deepest condolences to Hayden's family and all who loved her.'
Panettiere's Personal Struggles and Final Interview
Panettiere welcomed her daughter Kaya with ex-fiancé Wladimir Klitschko in 2014. The couple parted ways in 2018, with the mother-of-one granting Klitschko full custody. In her final interview with Dear Momé in May, she spoke about that decision, saying it was not taken lightly or one she 'wanted to make.' She explained: 'I was going through a really challenging time in my life… I knew I needed to be able to put her first so that I could get the help I needed and be the mom she needed me to be.'
She added about her child, who lives in Ukraine: 'I love my daughter, and I'm so proud of the young woman she is becoming. I talk to her all the time, and I feel so connected to her. She's like a mini-me. By the time I finally got healthy, I felt like it would have been unfair of me to, and selfish of me to, try to pull her out of this life that she had been creating.'
