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Women are rallying behind acclaimed star Catherine Zeta-Jones after she was targeted by scrutiny on social media about her looks following a high-profile appearance.

The actor was present at an industry gathering in Los Angeles on 9 November where an online segment featuring her part in the latest Wednesday was overshadowed because of remarks focusing on her appearance.

A Chorus of Defence

Aged 58, Laura White, labelled the online criticism "complete nonsense", stating that "men don't have such a timeline that women do".

"Men don't have this expiration date which women face," stated the pageant winner.

Beauty journalist Sali Hughes, 50, commented in contrast to men, women were unfairly judged for ageing and she ought to be able to appear as she wishes.

Online Reaction

During the interview, uploaded to Facebook and had millions of views, the actor, originally from Swansea, discussed her enjoyment in portraying her role, Morticia Addams, in season two.

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

This criticism ignited significant support of the actor, such as a popular post from a social media user which declared: "People criticize females when they get treatments and attack them when they don't have enough."

Others also spoke up for her, with one writing: "She is growing older naturally and she looks stunning."

Others described her as "gorgeous" and "very attractive", with another adding that "she looks her age - that is life."

Challenging Perceptions

The winner attended for her interview earlier with a bare face as a demonstration and to show there was no set "template" for what a female in her 50s is supposed to look.

Similar to numerous females of her years, she said she "looks after herself" not to look younger but to feel "improved" and look "vibrant".

"Getting older represents a privilege and when we age as well as possible, that is what truly counts," she added.

She argued that men were not held to identical beauty standards, noting "no-one questions how old certain male celebrities might be - they only are described as 'wonderful'."

She explained that became a key factor for entering the pageant's division for over-45s, to "show that midlife women are still here" and "retain their appeal".

Unfair Scrutiny

Sali Hughes, a journalist from Wales, said that although Zeta-Jones was "gorgeous" it was "irrelevant", noting she deserves to be able to appear however she liked without her years facing scrutiny.

She stated the social media vitriol demonstrated that no female is "exempt" and that women do not deserve the "ongoing theme" which says they are not good enough or young enough - a problem that is "galling, regardless of the person involved".

Questioned on whether men face equivalent judgment, she responded "absolutely not", adding females are attacked just for demonstrating the "audacity" to exist on the internet while aging.

A No-Win Situation

Regardless of the beauty industry promoting "longevity", the author stated females are still judged if they age naturally or underwent treatments including plastic surgery or fillers.

"When a woman ages gracefully, commenters state more could be done; if you get work done, people say you trying too hard," she remarked further.