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Women are rallying in defence of acclaimed star Zeta-Jones after she was targeted by scrutiny on social media regarding her appearance following a industry event.

She appeared at a promotional function in Los Angeles on 9 November where an online segment featuring her part in the latest Wednesday was eclipsed by remarks about her looks.

Voices of Support

Aged 58, Laura White, labelled the online criticism "utter foolishness", noting that "men don't have this expiration date imposed on women".

"Men don't have this expiration date imposed on women," stated Laura White.

Author Sali Hughes, 50, commented differently from men, women were criticized as they age and Zeta-Jones should be at liberty to look however she liked.

Online Reaction

Within the clip, also shared to social media and garnered over 2.5 million views, Zeta-Jones, hailing from Mumbles, Swansea, talked about the pleasure of exploring her part, Morticia Addams, in season two.

Yet many of the numerous remarks centered on her age and were disparaging towards her appearance.

The negative remarks sparked significant support of the actor, including a popular post from one Facebook user which stated: "People criticize females when they get treatments and bully them for not having enough."

Online users spoke up for her, as one put it: "This is aging naturally and she looks beautiful."

Some called her as "gorgeous" and "so pretty", with another adding that "her appearance reflects her years - which is simply reality."

Making a Point

She appeared for her interview recently with a bare face to "prove a point" and to show the absence of a "template" of how a female in her 50s is supposed to look.

As with others her age, she explained she "maintains her wellbeing" not for a youthful appearance but in order to feel "better" and appear "vibrant".

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

She contended that men aren't held to equivalent aesthetic benchmarks, stating "people don't ask how old Tom Cruise, George Clooney or Tom Jones might be - they simply look 'great'."

Ms White noted that became one of the reasons she entered the pageant's division for over-45s, to "show that females of a certain age continue to exist" and "still have it".

A Fundamental Problem

The author, a writer and commentator from Wales, said that while the actor is "gorgeous" this is "irrelevant", stating further she ought to be at liberty to appear in any way she chooses absent her age coming under examination.

She said the online abuse proved not a single woman is "exempt" and that it is unfair for women to endure the "constant narrative" that they are not good enough or youthful enough - an issue that is "infuriating, no matter who the victim is".

When asked if men face identical criticism, she said "no, never", noting women were criticized just for having the "boldness" to be present on social media while aging.

An Impossible Standard

Even with cosmetic companies advocating for "youthful longevity", the author stated women were still face criticism whether they aged gracefully or chose interventions such as surgical procedures or injectables.

"If you age gracefully, commenters state you ought to try harder; if you undergo treatments, you are criticized for trying too hard," she added.