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Women are rallying in defence of Oscar-winning actor Zeta-Jones after she was targeted by criticism across platforms over her appearance at a recent high-profile event.

Zeta-Jones attended an industry gathering in Los Angeles recently during which a social media clip featuring her character in season two of Wednesday was overshadowed due to discussion about her looks.

Voices of Support

This year's Miss Great Britain Classic winner, Laura White, labelled the online criticism "utter foolishness", noting that "men don't have this expiration date which women face".

"Men are free from such a timeline that women do," stated the pageant winner.

Beauty journalist Sali Hughes, 50, commented differently from men, women were criticized as they age and Zeta-Jones should be free to look in any way she chooses.

The Social Media Storm

In the video, which was also posted on social media and attracted millions of views, Zeta-Jones, hailing from Swansea, talked about how much she enjoyed exploring her character, Morticia Addams, in the latest season.

But a large portion of the hundreds of comments zeroed in on her age and were disparaging regarding her appearance.

The negative remarks ignited a broad defence of Zeta-Jones, including a viral video from one Facebook user which declared: "You bully women for having too much work done and bully them when they don't have enough work."

Online users came to her defence, with one writing: "It's called ageing naturally and she is gorgeous."

Some called her as "gorgeous" and "very attractive", while someone else said that "she looks her age - which is simply the natural process."

A Statement Arrival

Ms White arrived at the studio recently with a bare face as a demonstration and to demonstrate the absence of a "blueprint" for what a woman of a certain age ought to appear.

As with others her age, she said she "maintains her wellbeing" not to look younger but so she feels "improved" and appear "in good health".

"Getting older represents a gift and when we age the best we can, that is what truly counts," she continued.

She argued that men aren't subject to the same appearance ideals, adding "no-one questions the age of Tom Cruise, George Clooney or Tom Jones are - they only appear 'great'."

She explained this was part of the motivation she entered the pageant's division the classic category, in order to demonstrate that midlife women continue to exist" and "possess it".

The Core Issue

The author, a writer and commentator from Wales, said that while Zeta-Jones was "gorgeous" it was "irrelevant", noting she should be free to look in any way she chooses free from her age facing scrutiny.

She stated the digital criticism demonstrated that no female is "immune" and that women do not deserve the "perpetual story" suggesting they are insufficient or youthful enough - an issue that is "infuriating, no matter the individual targeted".

Asked if males encounter identical criticism, she said "not at all", adding women were criticized merely for showing "boldness" to exist online while growing older.

A Double Bind

Despite the wellness sector emphasizing "longevity", the author stated females are still judged if they age gracefully or underwent treatments including plastic surgery or fillers.

"Should you grow older gracefully, commenters state you ought to try harder; when you have treatments, you are criticized for not aging gracefully enough," she remarked further.