Following actress Hayden Panettiere’s death in August at age 36, renewed attention has focused on allegations she made regarding her former employer Neutrogena. In promotional interviews for her 2026 memoir, Panettiere disclosed that the skincare brand attempted to terminate her endorsement contract after she publicly discussed experiencing postpartum depression. According to her account, the company cited a morals clause violation as justification for the termination. Though her representative initially prevented immediate contract cancellation, Neutrogena declined to renew the partnership the following year, ending a decade-long association with the actress.
The revelation has sparked significant backlash across social media platforms. Social media users have launched organized boycott efforts, with a Reddit post accumulating over 7,000 upvotes and hundreds of comments condemning the company’s actions. Posts on X and TikTok have proliferated, accusing Neutrogena of punishing Panettiere for her candid mental health advocacy. The brand’s official social media accounts have received numerous comments from consumers pledging to discontinue purchasing its products.
During a May podcast appearance, Panettiere elaborated on the incident, explaining that she had not intended to discuss her personal mental health struggles during a television interview but responded honestly when the topic arose. She expressed particular hurt at the silent, unacknowledged conclusion of her long-standing professional relationship with the company. Neutrogena has not publicly addressed Panettiere’s allegations or explained the contract’s non-renewal, nor has the company responded to media inquiries about the matter. The controversy has gained further momentum following Panettiere’s death, with parent company Kenvue’s stock experiencing a decline amid the escalating boycott calls.
Originally reported by Mashable →
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