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There is a groundswell of support behind Oscar-winning actor Zeta-Jones after she was targeted by scrutiny across platforms about her looks following a industry function.

She appeared at an industry gathering in LA on 9 November during which a social media clip about her part in season two of the 'Wednesday' show was eclipsed by remarks about her appearance.

Widespread Backing

Aged 58, Laura White, called the backlash "utter foolishness", stating that "men aren't given this sell-by/use-by date which women face".

"Men are free from this expiration date imposed on women," said the pageant winner.

Author Sali Hughes, 50, said differently from men, females are unfairly judged growing older and the actor deserves to be at liberty to look as she wishes.

Online Reaction

During the interview, which was also posted on social media and attracted millions of views, Zeta-Jones, hailing from Wales, spoke of how much she enjoyed portraying her part, Morticia Addams, in the new episodes.

However many of the hundreds of comments centered on her age and were negative towards her looks.

This criticism sparked a broad defence for Zeta-Jones, featuring a widely-shared clip online which said: "There is criticism for females when they get cosmetic procedures and bully them if they avoid enough."

Commenters also rallied in support, as one put it: "This is aging naturally and she appears stunning."

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

Challenging Perceptions

Ms White arrived for her interview earlier without any makeup as a demonstration and to show there was no set "mold" of how a female of a certain age ought to appear.

Like many women of her years, she stated she "takes care of herself" not to appear younger but in order to feel "improved" and appear "healthy".

"Ageing is a gift and provided we age as well as possible, that's what truly counts," she stated further.

She contended that men aren't judged by equivalent aesthetic benchmarks, noting "no-one questions the age of Tom Cruise, George Clooney or Tom Jones might be - they just appear 'wonderful'."

She explained this was part of the motivation behind her participation in Miss Great Britain's category for women over 45, in order to demonstrate that midlife women continue to exist" and "possess it".

A Fundamental Problem

The author, a journalist from Wales, stated that although the actor is "gorgeous" that is "not the point", stating further she ought to be at liberty to appear however she liked free from her age facing scrutiny.

She stated the online abuse proved not a single woman is "exempt" and that females should not face the "ongoing theme" that they are not good enough or of the right age - a situation that is "infuriating, regardless of the individual targeted".

Asked if men face equivalent judgment, she responded "absolutely not", adding females are criticized simply for having the "audacity" to live online while aging.

A No-Win Situation

Regardless of the beauty industry advocating for "longevity", the author stated women were still criticised if they age gracefully or opted for procedures like plastic surgery or fillers.

"If you age gracefully, people say you ought to try harder; when you have work done, you are criticized for failing to age well," she added.