Neutrogena’s Response to Hayden Panettiere’s Death and Her Legacy

Neutrogena released a statement addressing the death of actress Hayden Panettiere. The skincare company faced backlash after her death due to past comments she made about being fired in 2015 for speaking about postpartum depression.

“For more than a decade, Hayden was a valued member of our Neutrogena community,” the company stated on social media. “We regret making her feel unsupported during a challenging time. This is not who we are.” They expressed pride in partnering with Panettiere and acknowledged her courage in discussing her struggles.

Neutrogena announced they plan to invest in a community health partner to assist more women with postpartum depression care. They promised to share more details on this initiative soon. The statement also offered condolences to Panettiere’s family and loved ones, emphasizing respect for their privacy.

Panettiere, age 36, passed away in Greenville, South Carolina. Emergency responders found her in cardiac arrest, and the DEA is involved in the investigation. Her acting career began in childhood and included roles in “Remember the Titans,” “Heroes,” “Bring It On,” and “Nashville,” which earned her Golden Globe nominations.

The actress was open about her personal battles. In 2022, she disclosed an addiction to opioids and alcohol starting in her teens. In 2015, she checked into a facility to address postpartum depression after her daughter’s birth.

Recently shared clips from her press tour for her memoir “This Is Me: A Reckoning” brought to light her firing from Neutrogena. Fans called for a boycott of the company due to its treatment of her.

In a podcast with Jay Shetty, Panettiere reflected on her experience. She spoke about her surprise at being fired for discussing postpartum depression publicly. She had appeared on “Live with Kelly and Michael” and related her own experiences with postpartum depression.

She recalled receiving a call from Neutrogena about her firing. Her representative at the time pointed out the illegality of such an action. Panettiere shared the disappointment of not receiving any acknowledgment from the brand after a decade-long partnership.

Ultimately, Panettiere expressed no regrets over her honesty. She noted the issue highlighted the stigma and misunderstandings surrounding postpartum depression.