Neutrogena apologises for axing Hayden Panettiere after she spoke about her postnatal depression following huge backlash

SKINCARE giant Neutrogena has apologised for dropping brand ambassador Hayden Panettiere after she spoke about her postnatal depression. Bosses admitted the US firm made the actress and singer, who died on Sunday aged 36, “feel unsupported during a difficult time”. Neutrogena has apologised for dropping Hayden Panettiere as a brand ambassador after she spoke about her postnatal depression Credit: Getty The tragic star had worked for Neutrogena for more than ten years before she was axed Credit: Getty It follows a backlash after a May podcast resurfaced where the Heroes and Nashville star said she was axed for breaking a “morality clause” in her contract. She said her agent “saved the day that year” before adding: “I knew . . . I wasn’t going to be invited back”. Sign up for the Showbiz newsletter Thank you! Hayden, who struggled with addiction and her mental health, also told of her struggles after the birth of her daughter, now 11, in her 2026 memoir. She wrote: “All my natural optimism and pep had vanished. “When Kaya cried, I struggled to soothe her, feeling desperate, inadequate, and out of control.” Neutrogena said Hayden worked for the firm for more than ten years and was “deeply valued”. It added: “We are proud to have partnered with her and understood that we made her feel unsupported during a very difficult time. “Hayden’s courage in sharing her challenges helped inspire important conversations and awareness.” Most read in Showbiz It said it was investing in a “community health partner” to help give women support, including for postnatal depression. Hayden was found unresponsive and in cardiac arrest when paramedics reached her home in Greenville, South Carolina. Police said there were “no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances”.