Women Rally Behind the Oscar-Winning Actor Amidst Age-Related Criticism

Women are rallying in defence of acclaimed star Catherine Zeta-Jones following she faced criticism across platforms regarding her looks at a recent high-profile event.

The actor was present at a Netflix event in Los Angeles on 9 November during which a social media clip discussing her character in the new series of Wednesday was overshadowed due to discussion focusing on her looks.

Widespread Backing

Aged 58, Laura White, described the backlash "utter foolishness", adding that "males escape this expiration date imposed on women".

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

Beauty journalist aged 50, Sali Hughes, said in contrast to men, females are unfairly judged for ageing and she ought to be at liberty to appear as she wishes.

The Social Media Storm

In the video, uploaded to social media and had more than 2.5m views, the actor, who is from Mumbles, Swansea, discussed how much she enjoyed exploring her character, Morticia Addams, in the new episodes.

Yet a large portion of the online responses focused on her age and were disparaging about her looks.

The negative remarks sparked a broad defence for Zeta-Jones, including a widely-shared clip online which said: "You bully females when they get too much work done and criticize them if they avoid sufficient procedures."

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

Others described her as "gorgeous" and "lovely", and one comment read that "her appearance reflects her years - that's called reality."

Challenging Perceptions

The winner attended on air recently with a bare face to make a statement and to highlight that there is no fixed "mold" for what a female in midlife is supposed to look.

Like many women her age, she said she "looks after herself" not for a youthful appearance but so she feels "improved" and appear "healthy".

"Ageing is an honour and when we live as well as possible, that's what really matters," she continued.

She contended that males are not judged by the same aesthetic benchmarks, noting "no-one questions how old famous men might be - they simply appear 'great'."

Ms White noted that became part of the motivation she entered Miss Great Britain's category the classic category, to "show that women in midlife are still here" and "retain their appeal".

Unfair Scrutiny

Sali Hughes, a journalist of Welsh origin, commented that while Zeta-Jones was "gorgeous" this is "irrelevant", noting she should be at liberty to look as she wishes without her years coming under examination.

Hughes argued the social media vitriol demonstrated no woman was "immune" and that females should not face the "perpetual story" suggesting they are lacking or of the right age - a situation that is "infuriating, no matter who the victim is".

Questioned on whether men face equivalent judgment, she answered "no, never", adding females are attacked simply for showing "boldness" to live on the internet while aging.

An Impossible Standard

Even with cosmetic companies promoting "youthful longevity", she commented females are still criticised regardless of if they grow older gracefully or underwent treatments like cosmetic surgery or injections.

"When a woman ages gracefully, people say you ought to try harder; when you have procedures, you are criticized for not aging gracefully enough," she remarked further.