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Females are uniting for Oscar-winning actor Catherine Zeta-Jones after she was targeted by disparaging remarks on social media over her looks at a recent red carpet appearance.

The actor was present at an industry gathering in LA on 9 November during which a TikTok interview about her character in the new series of Wednesday became dominated because of discussion focusing on her appearance.

Voices of Support

Aged 58, Laura White, labelled the online criticism "complete nonsense", noting that "men aren't given this expiration date imposed on women".

"Men are free from such a timeline that women do," said Laura White.

Beauty journalist aged 50, Sali Hughes, commented in contrast to men, females are unfairly judged growing older and Zeta-Jones should be at liberty to look as she wishes.

Digital Backlash

Within the clip, which was also posted on social media and garnered millions of views, Zeta-Jones, hailing from Mumbles, Swansea, talked about the pleasure of exploring her part, Morticia Addams, in season two.

But a large portion of the numerous remarks centered on her age and were disparaging regarding her looks.

The negative remarks triggered a broad defence for Zeta-Jones, such as a widely-shared clip from one Facebook user which declared: "People criticize women if they undergo cosmetic procedures and bully them if they avoid enough."

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

Many labelled her as "gorgeous" and "lovely", and one comment read that "her appearance reflects her years - that's called reality."

Challenging Perceptions

The winner attended for her interview earlier with a bare face as a demonstration and to demonstrate the absence of a "template" of how a female in midlife should look like.

Like many women in her demographic, she said she "maintains her wellbeing" not for a youthful appearance but to feel "well" and look "vibrant".

"Ageing is a privilege and provided we live the best we can, that's what is important," she continued.

Ms White stated that men were not judged by the same aesthetic benchmarks, stating "people don't ask how old certain male celebrities might be - they just are described as 'wonderful'."

She said this was one of the reasons she entered the competition for over-45s, to prove that midlife women are still here" and "still have it".

A Fundamental Problem

Hughes, a writer and commentator of Welsh origin, commented that although Zeta-Jones was "beautiful" that is "not the point", noting she deserves to be able to appear however she liked absent her years facing scrutiny.

She said the digital criticism demonstrated not a single woman is "exempt" and that females should not face the "ongoing theme" suggesting they are insufficient or youthful enough - a problem that is "maddening, no matter the individual targeted".

When asked if males encounter identical criticism, she responded "not at all", noting females are attacked simply for showing "boldness" to live on social media while aging.

An Impossible Standard

Regardless of cosmetic companies advocating for "youthful longevity", she commented females are still face criticism regardless of if they grow older naturally or underwent treatments such as surgical procedures or injections.

"When a woman ages gracefully, commenters state more could be done; if you undergo treatments, you're accused of not aging gracefully enough," she added.