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Women are rallying behind acclaimed star Catherine Zeta-Jones following she was targeted by scrutiny online about her looks at a recent industry function.

She appeared at an industry gathering in LA on 9 November during which a TikTok interview discussing her role in season two of the 'Wednesday' show was overshadowed by remarks focusing on her looks.

A Chorus of Defence

Laura White, 58, labelled the backlash "complete nonsense", adding that "males escape this expiration date which women face".

"Men don't have this sell-by/use-by date which women face," stated the pageant winner.

Writer and commentator aged 50, Sali Hughes, commented differently from men, women were criticized as they age and she ought to be able to look in any way she chooses.

The Social Media Storm

During the interview, uploaded to Facebook and had millions of views, Zeta-Jones, originally from Mumbles, Swansea, talked about how much she enjoyed exploring her character, Morticia Addams, in the latest season.

Yet many of the numerous remarks focused on her age and were disparaging towards her looks.

The online backlash sparked widespread defence of Zeta-Jones, such as a popular post online which declared: "You bully females if they undergo too much work done and bully them for not having sufficient procedures."

Others also rallied in support, with one writing: "She is ageing naturally and she is beautiful."

Others described her as "gorgeous" and "lovely", with another adding that "her appearance reflects her years - that is the natural process."

A Statement Arrival

Ms White arrived for her interview recently without any makeup to make a statement and to highlight that there is no fixed "mold" of how a woman in her 50s should look like.

Like many women in her demographic, she stated she "looks after herself" not for a youthful appearance but in order to feel "well" and look "healthy".

"Growing older is a privilege and when we live gracefully, this is what really matters," she continued.

She contended that men were not subject to identical appearance ideals, adding "no-one questions how old famous men are - they simply appear 'fantastic'."

She said this was one of the reasons behind her participation in the pageant's division for women over 45, to prove that women in midlife remain relevant" and "possess it".

The Core Issue

Sali Hughes, a writer and commentator from Wales, said that although the actor is "gorgeous" this is "irrelevant", stating further she should be free to look as she wishes free from her age coming under examination.

She stated the social media vitriol demonstrated not a single woman is "protected" and that women do not deserve the "perpetual story" which says they are lacking or of the right age - an issue that is "infuriating, regardless of the individual targeted".

Asked if males encounter equivalent judgment, she said "not at all", explaining females are attacked merely for demonstrating the "audacity" to be present on social media while growing older.

A No-Win Situation

Regardless of cosmetic companies promoting "youthful longevity", the author stated women were still judged regardless of if they grow older naturally or underwent treatments including surgical procedures or injectables.

"When a woman ages naturally, commenters state more could be done; if you undergo work done, people say you trying too hard," she added.