After days of backlash following the passing of Hayden Panettiere, Neutrogena has issued a statement.
The skincare brand took to Instagram on Aug. 20 to respond to criticism four days following Hayden’s untimely death.
“We are deeply saddened by Hayden Panettiere’s passing,” the account shared via a three-slide statement.
“For more than a decade, Hayden was a valued member of our Neutrogena community. We are proud to have partnered with her and understand that we made her feel unsupported during a very difficult time. This is not what Neutrogena stands for or who we want to be.”
The billion-dollar beauty brand says it plans to “make a significant investment to a long-standing community health partner,” which will include helping women access “care for postpartum depression.”
ICYMI:
Hayden was a global brand ambassador and spokesperson for Neutrogena from 2005 to 2015.
Not only did the activist speak out about losing the deal in her memoir, This Is Me, she also wasn’t quiet about her experience in the press long before her untimely passing.
Back in 2015, Hayden opened up on Live with Kelly and Michael about her struggle with postpartum depression and how her character, Juliette Barnes, on Nashville resonated with her own experience.
Hayden also spoke in her memoir about the writers on Nashville using her real-life struggles and trauma for Juliette’s storyline, furthering her internal warfare.
On Sunday, Aug. 16, the actress tragically passed away in Greenville, South Carolina, at just 36 years old.
She is survived by her 11-year-old daughter, Kaya.
Neutrogena concluded its non-apology apology by explaining that the company waited to address the backlash out of respect for Hayden’s loved ones.
“Everyone at Neutrogena extends their deepest condolences to Hayden’s family and all who loved her,” the statement concluded.
Neutrogena also shut off comments on the Instagram statement.
