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Women are rallying for Oscar-winning actor Zeta-Jones after she was targeted by disparaging remarks across platforms about her looks at a recent red carpet event.

Zeta-Jones attended a promotional function in Los Angeles on 9 November where a social media clip discussing her part in the new series of the 'Wednesday' show became dominated by comments concerning her age.

A Chorus of Defence

Laura White, 58, labelled the backlash "complete nonsense", stating that "men don't have such a timeline which women face".

"Men are free from this expiration date that women do," stated the pageant winner.

Writer and commentator aged 50, Sali Hughes, stated differently from men, females are unfairly judged for ageing and Zeta-Jones should be at liberty to appear in any way she chooses.

Online Reaction

During the interview, uploaded to Facebook and garnered over 2.5 million views, Zeta-Jones, originally from Swansea, discussed the pleasure of exploring her part, Morticia Addams, in season two.

Yet a large portion of the hundreds of comments centered on her age and were critical towards her appearance.

This criticism sparked widespread defence of the actor, including a viral video from one Facebook user which declared: "People criticize females when they get cosmetic procedures and criticize them when they don't have enough."

Others also spoke up for her, with one writing: "It's called ageing naturally and she appears beautiful."

Many labelled her as "beautiful" and "very attractive", with another adding that "she appears her age - that's called life."

Challenging Perceptions

She appeared at the studio recently with a bare face to make a statement and to highlight that there is no fixed "template" of how a female in her 50s should look like.

Similar to numerous females of her years, she explained she "looks after herself" not to look younger but so she feels "better" and be "vibrant".

"Growing older is a privilege and if we can live as well as possible, this is what truly counts," she stated further.

She contended that males are not held to identical appearance ideals, adding "people don't ask the age of certain male celebrities might be - they only look 'fantastic'."

She explained that became a key factor for entering the competition for women over 45, to prove that females of a certain age remain relevant" and "still have it".

Unfair Scrutiny

Hughes, an author and presenter from Wales, said that although the actor is "stunning" that is "beside the point", stating further she ought to be free to appear in any way she chooses absent her years facing scrutiny.

She said the digital criticism demonstrated no woman was "immune" and that women do not deserve the "perpetual story" suggesting they are lacking or young enough - an issue that is "galling, regardless of who the victim is".

When asked if men face identical criticism, she said "no, never", adding females are attacked just for having the "audacity" to exist online while aging.

A No-Win Situation

Even with the wellness sector emphasizing "age-defiance", Hughes said women were still criticised whether they aged naturally or underwent treatments like plastic surgery or injectables.

"Should you grow older without intervention, others claim more could be done; if you undergo work done, people say you trying too hard," she concluded.