Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Neutrogena responds to backlash over Hayden Panettiere treatment
Hayden Panettiere was a longtime ambassador for Neutrogena.
She previously said she experienced postpartum depression after becoming a mother.
She also said the company did not renew her contract because of a morality clause.
After her death was reported, an old podcast clip about the situation spread online again.
Many fans became angry and asked people to boycott Neutrogena.
Neutrogena said it was very sad about Panettiere’s passing.
The company also said it understood that it had made her feel unsupported.
Neutrogena promised to invest in programs that help women, including those dealing with postpartum depression.
Neutrogena apologized after backlash over its alleged treatment of former ambassador Hayden Panettiere.
The controversy resurfaced after a podcast clip in which Panettiere discussed postpartum depression and a morality clause.
Panettiere said Neutrogena did not renew her contract after she shared her experience with postpartum depression.
Fans called for a boycott, with criticism spreading across Instagram and TikTok after her reported death.
Neutrogena said it would invest in a community health partner supporting women, including those needing postpartum-depression care.
- Who
- Neutrogena, actress and former brand ambassador Hayden Panettiere, and Panettiere’s supporters.
- What
- Neutrogena responded to backlash over Panettiere’s claim that the company ended or did not renew her partnership after she discussed postpartum depression.
- When
- The backlash intensified during the week after Panettiere’s reported death; Neutrogena issued its statement on Thursday. The article does not provide calendar dates.
- Where
- Panettiere was reportedly found unresponsive at an apartment complex in South Carolina; the backlash spread on Instagram, TikTok, and other social-media platforms.
- Why
- Fans objected to the reported use of a morality clause in connection with Panettiere’s disclosure of postpartum depression and said the company was unsupportive.
Critics and Panettiere’s account
Neutrogena’s response
Handling of postpartum depression
Critics and Panettiere’s account
Critics said Neutrogena treated Panettiere unfairly after she spoke publicly about postpartum depression and called for a boycott.
Neutrogena’s response
Neutrogena said Panettiere’s courage helped inspire important conversations and acknowledged that it made her feel unsupported.
Contract decision
Critics and Panettiere’s account
Panettiere said the company cited a morality clause when it did not renew her contract, despite an effort by her agent to preserve the deal.
Neutrogena’s response
Neutrogena’s statement did not directly address the specific contract allegation, but said its treatment of Panettiere was not what the company stood for.
Response to the controversy
Critics and Panettiere’s account
Supporters argued that a women-centered brand should support women who discuss postpartum depression and criticized the company in social-media comments.
Neutrogena’s response
Neutrogena expressed sadness over Panettiere’s reported death and promised funding for postpartum-depression and women’s-health support.
- Brand
- Neutrogena
- Former ambassador
- Hayden Panettiere
- Reported cause of controversy
- Panettiere said Neutrogena did not renew her contract under a morality clause after she discussed postpartum depression.
- Public reaction
- Fans flooded Neutrogena’s social-media posts and called for a boycott.
- Company response
- Neutrogena said it had made Panettiere feel unsupported during a difficult time.
- Planned initiative
- The company said it would make a significant investment in a community health partner supporting women, including those needing postpartum-depression care.
- Family detail
- Panettiere and Wladimir Klitschko welcomed their daughter, Kaya Evdokia Klitschko, in 2014.