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Females are uniting behind acclaimed star Zeta-Jones after she faced scrutiny across platforms about her looks during a industry event.

The actor was present at a Netflix event in Los Angeles recently during which a social media clip about her character in the new series of Wednesday was eclipsed because of comments focusing on her appearance.

Voices of Support

Aged 58, Laura White, called the online criticism "utter foolishness", stating that "males escape this sell-by/use-by date which women face".

"Men don't have such a timeline imposed on women," stated Ms White.

Writer and commentator aged 50, Sali Hughes, stated differently from men, women were unfairly judged growing older and she ought to be free to look in any way she chooses.

Digital Backlash

Within the clip, also shared to social media and attracted more than 2.5m views, Zeta-Jones, hailing from Wales, discussed the pleasure of exploring her part, the Addams Family matriarch, in season two.

However a significant number of the online responses focused on her years and were critical regarding her appearance.

The online backlash sparked significant support of Zeta-Jones, including a widely-shared clip from a social media user which said: "You bully females for having cosmetic procedures and bully them if they avoid enough work."

Commenters also spoke up for her, one stating: "This is aging naturally and she appears gorgeous."

Some called her as "stunning" and "lovely", and one comment read that "she appears her age - that's called life."

A Statement Arrival

Ms White arrived at the studio earlier with a bare face as a demonstration and to show that there is no fixed "template" for what a female of a certain age is supposed to look.

Like many women in her demographic, she explained she "takes care of herself" not for a youthful appearance but to feel "well" and be "vibrant".

"Getting older represents a privilege and provided we age gracefully, that's what truly counts," she stated further.

She argued that males are not held to equivalent aesthetic benchmarks, noting "people don't ask the age of famous men are - they simply look 'wonderful'."

Ms White noted this was a key factor behind her participation in the pageant's division for women over 45, to prove that women in midlife continue to exist" and "retain their appeal".

The Core Issue

The author, a writer and commentator of Welsh origin, commented that while the actor is "beautiful" this is "not the point", noting she ought to be able to appear however she liked absent her years facing scrutiny.

She said the social media vitriol showed that no female is "exempt" and that women do not deserve the "constant narrative" that they are not good enough or young enough - an issue that is "galling, irrespective of the individual targeted".

Asked if men face equivalent judgment, she said "absolutely not", adding women were targeted merely for having the "nerve" to be present on social media as they age.

A No-Win Situation

Despite the wellness sector advocating for "age-defiance", she commented females are still criticised if they age naturally or chose interventions such as cosmetic surgery or fillers.

"If you age gracefully, others claim more could be done; if you undergo treatments, you're accused of trying too hard," she concluded.