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Women are rallying behind acclaimed star Catherine Zeta-Jones following she faced criticism online about her appearance during a industry appearance.

She appeared at a promotional function in LA recently where a TikTok interview about her character in the latest the 'Wednesday' show was overshadowed because of discussion concerning her appearance.

Voices of Support

Aged 58, Laura White, described the backlash "absolute rubbish", noting that "men aren't given this sell-by/use-by date that women do".

"Males escape such a timeline that women do," argued Ms White.

Writer and commentator aged 50, Sali Hughes, commented unlike men, females are criticized as they age and the actor deserves to be at liberty to appear as she wishes.

The Social Media Storm

In the video, uploaded to Facebook and had over 2.5 million views, the actor, hailing from Mumbles, Swansea, spoke of how much she enjoyed delving into her part, the Addams Family matriarch, in the new episodes.

However many of the online responses zeroed in on her years and were critical towards her looks.

The negative remarks ignited a broad defence of Zeta-Jones, featuring a viral video from a social media user which said: "There is criticism for females for having too much work done and attack them for not having enough work."

Others also rallied in support, with one writing: "This is ageing naturally and she appears gorgeous."

Others described her as "gorgeous" and "very attractive", and one comment read that "she appears her age - that is life."

Challenging Perceptions

Ms White arrived at the studio earlier with a bare face to "prove a point" and to show the absence of a "blueprint" of how a woman in her 50s ought to appear.

As with others of her years, she stated she "looks after herself" not to appear younger but to feel "improved" and look "in good health".

"Growing older is an honour and if we can do it the best we can, this is what is important," she stated further.

Ms White stated that males are not subject to identical appearance ideals, noting "people don't ask how old famous men are - they simply look 'wonderful'."

Ms White noted this was part of the motivation for entering the competition for over-45s, in order to demonstrate that midlife women continue to exist" and "possess it".

The Core Issue

Hughes, a writer and commentator of Welsh origin, said that although the actor is "stunning" that is "not the point", noting she should be free to look as she wishes absent her age being scrutinised.

She stated the social media vitriol demonstrated not a single woman is "exempt" and that women do not deserve the "ongoing theme" which says they are insufficient or young enough - an issue that is "maddening, irrespective of the individual targeted".

When asked if males encounter equivalent judgment, she answered "no, never", noting women were targeted merely for demonstrating the "boldness" to live on social media while growing older.

A Double Bind

Despite the beauty industry emphasizing "age-defiance", she commented females are still criticised if they age gracefully or opted for procedures including surgical procedures or injections.

"When a woman ages naturally, others claim more could be done; if you get work done, you are criticized for failing to age well," she added.