Neutrogena faces backlash over Panettiere’s postpartum depression claim

Lifestyle

Author: NZ Herald,
Publish Date: Tue, 18 Aug 2026, 8:50pm

Neutrogena faces fresh backlash after a clip resurfaced of Hayden Panettiere saying the skincare giant tried to fire her after speaking publicly about postpartum depression following the birth of her daughter Kaya.

Panettiere, who died yesterday aged 36, was the face of Neutrogena for about a decade.

In a May interview on Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcast, she said she was shocked when told the company wanted to fire her under a “morals clause” in her contract.

“Neutrogena and I were together for 10 years. They had morality clauses that had a huge impact on my life because I was a teenager constantly followed by paparazzi, who captured some of my lowest moments,” she said.

“Every cigarette I smoked, every bad outfit, comments like, ‘She’s looking chunky in a bathing suit’, or even, ‘She has a fat vagina’. They captured absolutely everything.”

Panettiere said she had no intention of speaking about postpartum depression when she did so on Live with Kelly and Michael.

“It just came up naturally. I was simply being honest, and it never occurred to me that anyone would react negatively. It was my truth,” she said.

“So when I got the call that Neutrogena wanted to fire me because of it, my representative at the time said, ‘That’s illegal. They can’t do that’. Even though she saved the day that year, I knew it was over. I knew I wouldn’t be invited back the following year.

“Of all the things I thought could get me fired, this was the last thing I ever expected.”

She said what stung most was the aftermath, when no one at the brand checked if she was okay.

“I remember not hearing a word from anybody, not a ‘great working with you for 10 years’... I remember that really breaking my heart,” she told the podcast host.

Panettiere said she “wouldn’t change it for the world” and “wouldn’t take it back” but was surprised by how the skincare brand handled the situation.

The clip resurfaced after news of the sudden death of the actor and singer, and prompted criticism of Neutrogena on social media.

On Reddit, users questioned Neutrogena for claiming it stands for women but then allegedly trying to drop the actor over an issue that impacts women.

“Ooh this makes me so angry. God forbid a woman talk openly about a serious issue that affects millions. Poor Hayden. RIP,” a Reddit user wrote.

Neutrogena does not appear to have publicly responded to Panettiere’s account.

If you feel you may be struggling with postpartum depression, please know that you are not alone and help is available. Talk to your midwife, Well Child Tamariki Ora nurse, or doctor. Need to talk now? Free call or text 1737 or call the Depression Helpline on 0800 111 757 or the PlunketLine on 0800 933 922. You can also reach out to the The Postnatal Distress Centre,Mothers Helpers or the Perinatal Mental Health New Zealand Trust. If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.