Hayden Panettiere seemed to have everything going for her, from a successful career to a great personal life. Yet, it was her struggle with postpartum depression and decision to be candid about it that led to terrifying backlash. Keep reading for more details on what happened to Hayden and how it drastically affected her.
Hayden Panettiere Spoke Up For A Cause
After being in the spotlight since she was a little girl, Hayden Panettiere continued her career as a teenager and adult. She also had a highly publicized romance with her Heroes co-star, Milo Ventimiglia, who was over a decade her senior. Yet, that ended, and she began dating Wladimir Klitschko, a heavyweight boxing champion. In 2014, the two became parents to a daughter, Kaya, but with that came severe postpartum depression. Per the CDC, 1/8 women suffer from PPD, and it is not anything to be ashamed of.
In 2015, Hayden made an appearance on Live! with Kelly and Michael, where she candidly spoke about what she was going through. Unfortunately, a beauty brand that she had been working with did not care for what she had to say. After she opened up to Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan, Hayden was let go from her contract with Neutrogena:
“When I was honest about postpartum depression on Live! With Kelly and Michael, the repercussions were shocking. After that interview, I had no idea when I walked off that stage that I was going to get the call saying, ‘Neutrogena wants to fire you. They’re not OK with this.’”
Hayden Panettiere had been working with them since 2006, so after nearly a decade, to have this be the final straw was shocking. This was extremely confusing to the now 36-year-old New York native. She felt that she had spoken about something natural and very real, but it seems that the brand allegedly did not see things through the same lens:
“And you’re going, ‘Wait a second, of all the things, how can they judge me about something that is so human and so real?’”
A New Lease On Life
Hayden Pannetiere is back and better than ever. She has a new lease on life and is laying it all on the line. The actress shared that she is bisexual and does not want to hold that part of her back any longer. She has a book coming out, This Is Me: A Reckoning, which will be released on May 19th. In the memoir, she seems to leave no stone unturned and is extremely candid about all of the ups and downs. Hopefully, it is extremely cathartic, and people will see a new side of her, free of judgment.
Did you have any idea that Hayden Pannetiere had been let go because of her openness regarding PPD? Finally, does this make you think twice about the beauty brand? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
*If you or someone you know is struggling with Postpartum Depression, you are not alone. There is help. Contact 1-833-TLC-MAMA and get help today*
Amanda has been a professional freelance writer for over a decade, holding both a BA and an MA. Her passions include animals, iced coffee, gnomes, summer, music, and ‘Vanderpump Rules’.
