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Females are uniting behind acclaimed star Catherine Zeta-Jones following she faced disparaging remarks online about her appearance following a high-profile function.

The actor was present at an industry gathering in Los Angeles last month where a TikTok interview discussing her role in the new series of Wednesday became dominated due to remarks about her appearance.

Widespread Backing

Aged 58, Laura White, called the negative reaction "complete nonsense", stating that "men don't have such a timeline that women do".

"Men are free from this sell-by/use-by date imposed on women," stated Laura White.

Beauty journalist Sali Hughes, 50, commented unlike men, women were subject to unfair scrutiny as they age and she ought to be able to appear as she wishes.

The Social Media Storm

In the video, uploaded to social media and garnered millions of views, the actor, who is from Swansea, spoke of the pleasure of exploring her role, the Addams Family matriarch, in the new episodes.

But a significant number of the online responses focused on her age and were disparaging towards her looks.

The negative remarks triggered a broad defence for Zeta-Jones, including a viral video online which said: "You bully women when they get cosmetic procedures and criticize them for not having enough work."

Online users spoke up for her, as one put it: "She is aging naturally and she appears stunning."

Some called her as "stunning" and "so pretty", with another adding that "her appearance reflects her years - that is life."

A Statement Arrival

The winner attended for her interview earlier with a bare face as a demonstration and to demonstrate that there is no fixed "blueprint" of how a woman in her 50s ought to appear.

Like many women her age, she explained she "looks after herself" not to look younger but in order to feel "well" and be "vibrant".

"Getting older represents a privilege and if we can age the best we can, that is what truly counts," she added.

She contended that men aren't judged by the same aesthetic benchmarks, adding "people don't ask how old Tom Cruise, George Clooney or Tom Jones are - they just appear 'great'."

She said this was one of the reasons for entering the pageant's division for over-45s, in order to demonstrate that women in midlife continue to exist" and "retain their appeal".

A Fundamental Problem

Hughes, an author and presenter of Welsh origin, stated that while the actor is "beautiful" that is "beside the point", adding she should be able to look as she wishes without her age coming under examination.

Hughes argued the digital criticism showed not a single woman is "protected" and that females should not face the "constant narrative" that they are not good enough or of the right age - a problem that is "maddening, no matter the individual targeted".

When asked if males encounter identical criticism, she responded "no, never", noting women were criticized merely for showing "audacity" to live on social media while aging.

A Double Bind

Even with the beauty industry emphasizing "longevity", she commented women were still face criticism whether they aged without intervention or opted for procedures like cosmetic surgery or injections.

"Should you grow older gracefully, commenters state you ought to try harder; if you undergo work done, you're accused of failing to age well," she remarked further.