Neutrogena responds after handling of Hayden Panettiere deal draws scrutiny

Neutrogena issued a public statement Thursday addressing growing criticism over how it handled the termination of its long-term partnership with the late actress Hayden Panettiere. The U.S.-based cosmetics brand acknowledged that Panettiere, who served as a spokesperson for the company from 2005 to 2015, had been a “valued member of the Neutrogena community” for over a decade. In the statement, Neutrogena expressed regret for what it described as making Panettiere feel “unsupported during a very difficult time.” The remarks followed renewed attention on an interview Panettiere gave on Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcast earlier this year, in which she claimed the company terminated her contract after she discussed her struggles with postpartum depression. Panettiere, who passed away on Sunday in Greenville, South Carolina, following a reported cardiac arrest, had spoken openly about her mental health challenges. During the podcast interview, she stated that Neutrogena used “morals clauses” in contracts, allowing the company to end agreements if an individual engaged in behavior deemed inappropriate or damaging to its reputation. She recounted being informed that the brand intended to terminate her partnership after she discussed her postpartum depression on television. Her representative at the time reportedly argued that the action was unlawful, but Panettiere believed the incident marked the end of their professional relationship. In its statement, Neutrogena emphasized that Panettiere’s openness about her mental health had contributed to broader discussions around awareness and support. The company announced a financial commitment to a long-standing community health organization aimed at providing resources for women dealing with postpartum depression. However, some individuals responded negatively to the statement, with reports indicating that some consumers planned to boycott the brand and its affiliated companies. Panettiere’s personal life included a daughter named Kaya, whom she shared with her former fiancé, Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko. In 2018, Klitschko was awarded full custody of Kaya, a decision that Panettiere detailed in her memoir This Is Me: A Reckoning, published in May. She described the separation as one of the most painful experiences of her life, noting the emotional toll of raising her daughter through video calls. Despite these challenges, she maintained a strong connection with Kaya, stating that their bond remained deeply meaningful. Following her passing, authorities confirmed that Panettiere was found unresponsive at a residence in Greenville, South Carolina, and was later declared dead at the scene. An autopsy conducted by the local coroner’s office ruled out foul play or physical trauma as causes of death. The official cause and manner of her death are still under investigation. The circumstances surrounding Panettiere’s death have sparked further reflection on the intersection of public figures, mental health advocacy, and corporate responsibility. As the ongoing inquiry into her passing unfolds, the legacy of her work, both professionally and personally, continues to resonate within communities affected by similar challenges.