There is a groundswell of support behind acclaimed star Catherine Zeta-Jones after she was targeted by scrutiny online regarding her looks following a industry event.
She appeared at a Netflix event in Hollywood last month during which a TikTok interview discussing her character in season two of the 'Wednesday' show was overshadowed because of comments about her appearance.
Voices of Support
Aged 58, Laura White, described the negative reaction "utter foolishness", adding that "men don't have this sell-by/use-by date which women face".
"Men don't have such a timeline that women do," said Laura White.
Beauty journalist Sali Hughes, 50, said in contrast to men, females are unfairly judged growing older and she ought to be at liberty to look however she liked.
The Social Media Storm
In the video, also shared to social media and had millions of views, the actor, hailing from Wales, spoke of her enjoyment in portraying her role, Morticia Addams, in the new episodes.
Yet a significant number of the numerous remarks focused on her years and were disparaging about her looks.
This criticism ignited a broad defence of Zeta-Jones, such as a widely-shared clip online which stated: "There is criticism for females for having treatments and criticize them if they avoid enough work."
Online users rallied in support, one stating: "This is ageing naturally and she is gorgeous."
Some called her as "gorgeous" and "very attractive", and one comment read that "her appearance reflects her years - that is the natural process."
A Statement Arrival
She appeared on air recently without any makeup as a demonstration and to show the absence of a "template" of how a woman in midlife ought to appear.
Similar to numerous females her age, she said she "looks after herself" not to appear younger but in order to feel "improved" and look "healthy".
"Growing older is an honour and provided we age the best we can, this is what really matters," she continued.
She argued that males are not subject to the same aesthetic benchmarks, stating "nobody scrutinizes how old famous men are - they only look 'wonderful'."
Ms White noted this was a key factor she entered the pageant's division for women over 45, to prove that women in midlife are still here" and "retain their appeal".
A Fundamental Problem
Hughes, an author and presenter from Wales, commented that although Zeta-Jones was "gorgeous" this is "beside the point", noting she deserves to be free to look however she liked absent her age facing scrutiny.
She stated the social media vitriol showed that no female is "immune" and that women do not deserve the "ongoing theme" suggesting they are insufficient or youthful enough - a problem that is "galling, no matter the individual targeted".
Asked if males encounter the same scrutiny, she responded "not at all", adding women were attacked just for showing "nerve" to be present on the internet while aging.
A No-Win Situation
Regardless of the wellness sector promoting "longevity", she commented women were still criticised regardless of if they grow older without intervention or underwent treatments such as plastic surgery or injections.
"If you age naturally, others claim you should do more; when you have procedures, people say you trying too hard," she remarked further.
