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Women are rallying for acclaimed star Catherine Zeta-Jones following she was targeted by criticism on social media over her appearance at a recent industry function.

She appeared at a Netflix event in Los Angeles on 9 November where a TikTok interview about her part in the latest the 'Wednesday' show was overshadowed by comments focusing on her age.

Widespread Backing

Laura White, 58, described the backlash "utter foolishness", noting that "males escape this sell-by/use-by date imposed on women".

"Men are free from such a timeline imposed on women," stated Laura White.

Beauty journalist Sali Hughes, 50, stated differently from men, females are criticized as they age and she ought to be free to look in any way she chooses.

Online Reaction

Within the clip, which was also posted on social media and had millions of views, the actor, who is from Swansea, discussed how much she enjoyed exploring her character, the Addams Family matriarch, in the new episodes.

However many of the hundreds of comments focused on her age and were disparaging about her appearance.

The online backlash ignited widespread defence of Zeta-Jones, such as a widely-shared clip online which declared: "You bully females when they get too much work done and bully them for not having enough."

Others also spoke up for her, one stating: "It's called ageing naturally and she is gorgeous."

Many labelled her as "gorgeous" and "so pretty", while someone else said that "she appears her age - that is reality."

Making a Point

She appeared on air earlier without any makeup as a demonstration and to demonstrate that there is no fixed "template" of how a woman in her 50s is supposed to look.

As with others in her demographic, she said she "maintains her wellbeing" not to look younger but in order to feel "better" and look "vibrant".

"Getting older represents a gift and when we live as well as possible, that's what is important," she stated further.

She argued that males are not held to the same aesthetic benchmarks, noting "nobody scrutinizes the age of famous men are - they only appear 'fantastic'."

Ms White noted it was a key factor for entering Miss Great Britain's category the classic category, to prove that women in midlife are still here" and "possess it".

Unfair Scrutiny

Hughes, an author and presenter from Wales, commented that although Zeta-Jones was "beautiful" this is "beside the point", adding she deserves to be at liberty to appear as she wishes free from her age being scrutinised.

She stated the social media vitriol demonstrated that no female is "immune" and that it is unfair for women to endure the "ongoing theme" which says they are not good enough or young enough - a problem that is "infuriating, regardless of the individual targeted".

When asked if men face identical criticism, she said "absolutely not", adding women were attacked merely for showing "nerve" to live on social media as they age.

An Impossible Standard

Despite the beauty industry advocating for "age-defiance", Hughes said women were still criticised whether they aged naturally or chose interventions like surgical procedures or fillers.

"If you age without intervention, commenters state more could be done; if you get treatments, you're accused of failing to age well," she concluded.