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Females are uniting for acclaimed star Catherine Zeta-Jones after she faced criticism online regarding her looks during a high-profile function.

She appeared at a Netflix event in Hollywood on 9 November where a TikTok interview about her role in the new series of the 'Wednesday' show was eclipsed due to comments about her looks.

A Chorus of Defence

Laura White, 58, labelled the backlash "utter foolishness", adding that "males escape this sell-by/use-by date that women do".

"Men are free from this sell-by/use-by date imposed on women," stated the pageant winner.

Beauty journalist aged 50, Sali Hughes, said differently from men, females are unfairly judged growing older and Zeta-Jones should be at liberty to look however she liked.

Digital Backlash

Within the clip, uploaded to social media and attracted more than 2.5m views, Zeta-Jones, hailing from Wales, talked about her enjoyment in delving into her character, Morticia Addams, in season two.

But a significant number of the hundreds of comments centered on her years and were disparaging towards her appearance.

This criticism sparked widespread defence for Zeta-Jones, featuring a viral video from one Facebook user which declared: "There is criticism for women when they get cosmetic procedures and attack them for not having enough work."

Commenters also came to her defence, as one put it: "It's called growing older naturally and she is gorgeous."

Many labelled her as "beautiful" and "so pretty", and one comment read that "she looks her age - that is reality."

Making a Point

She appeared at the studio earlier without any makeup as a demonstration and to demonstrate that there is no fixed "template" for what a woman in midlife ought to appear.

Similar to numerous females of her years, she explained she "maintains her wellbeing" not to appear younger but in order to feel "improved" and look "healthy".

"Getting older represents a gift and if we can live the best we can, that is what truly counts," she stated further.

Ms White stated that men were not subject to identical beauty standards, stating "no-one questions the age of certain male celebrities are - they simply look 'wonderful'."

She explained this was one of the reasons for entering Miss Great Britain's category for over-45s, in order to demonstrate that females of a certain age remain relevant" and "retain their appeal".

Unfair Scrutiny

Hughes, an author and presenter of Welsh origin, said that although Zeta-Jones was "gorgeous" that is "not the point", stating further she should be at liberty to appear however she liked absent her age coming under examination.

Hughes argued the social media vitriol proved no woman was "immune" and that it is unfair for women to endure the "constant narrative" suggesting they are not good enough or of the right age - a problem that is "infuriating, no matter the individual targeted".

Questioned on whether men face the same scrutiny, she answered "no, never", noting women were targeted merely for showing "audacity" to exist online while growing older.

A No-Win Situation

Regardless of the wellness sector emphasizing "youthful longevity", the author stated women were still criticised if they age gracefully or chose interventions including surgical procedures or injectables.

"When a woman ages without intervention, people say you ought to try harder; if you undergo work done, you're accused of not aging gracefully enough," she remarked further.