Renewed Backlash Against Neutrogena
Following the sudden death of Hayden Panettiere at the age of 36, fans of the Heroes and Nashville actress have reignited calls to boycott the beauty giant Neutrogena. The public outcry was sparked by revelations in Panettiere’s memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, released in May, where she alleged that the brand terminated her long-term contract following her diagnosis of postpartum depression.
Disgruntled supporters have taken to social media to voice their disapproval. One Reddit user expressed their frustration, stating: «I will not buy from them ever again! They should have been supporting her and other women, not taking away help.» Other social media users echoed these sentiments, with one remarking: «Friends also don’t try to fire employees for talking openly about postpartum depression but apparently this brand does.»
The Memoir Allegations
In her book, Panettiere candidly discussed the mental health challenges she faced after the birth of her daughter, Kaya, in 2011. She noted that while producers of Nashville were forced to temporarily write her character out of the show, she had been transparent about her situation. In contrast, she described the loss of her Neutrogena deal as a significant emotional and professional blow.
«The producers had no choice but to write me out of the script temporarily... and I issued a statement about where I was going and why,» Panettiere wrote. «Neutrogena canceled my long-standing contract, and it was yet another blow in a year that had given almost nothing else.»
Investigation and Context
The circumstances surrounding the actress's death are currently under investigation, with no official cause or manner confirmed as of this writing. Reports from the Greenville City Police Department indicate that officers interviewed individuals present at an apartment complex on the day of her passing, including her ex-boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, and his brother, Zach.
Additionally, filmmaker Griff Furst, who directed Panettiere in the 2025 project A Breed Apart, recently shared his reflections on working with the actress. In an Instagram video, he noted that he was excited to collaborate with the talented star but observed that something seemed «off» during the production.