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Women are rallying behind Oscar-winning actor Catherine Zeta-Jones following she was targeted by scrutiny on social media about her looks at a recent red carpet event.

She appeared at an industry gathering in LA last month where a TikTok interview about her part in the latest Wednesday was overshadowed because of discussion concerning her appearance.

A Chorus of Defence

Laura White, 58, called the online criticism "complete nonsense", stating that "males escape this expiration date which women face".

"Men don't have such a timeline that women do," said the pageant winner.

Author Sali Hughes, 50, commented in contrast to men, females are criticized for ageing and she ought to be free to look in any way she chooses.

Digital Backlash

Within the clip, also shared to social media and attracted over 2.5 million views, the actor, hailing from Swansea, discussed the pleasure of delving into her character, Morticia Addams, in the latest season.

Yet a significant number of the hundreds of comments focused on her age and were critical about her appearance.

This criticism ignited a broad defence for Zeta-Jones, such as a popular post online which said: "There is criticism for women if they undergo treatments and criticize them when they don't have sufficient procedures."

Commenters also spoke up for her, with one writing: "She is ageing naturally and she appears gorgeous."

Many labelled her as "beautiful" and "so pretty", and one comment read that "she looks her age - that is reality."

Making a Point

Ms White arrived for her interview earlier with a bare face as a demonstration and to show the absence of a "template" of how a female in her 50s should look like.

Similar to numerous females of her years, she stated she "maintains her wellbeing" not to appear younger but to feel "well" and be "in good health".

"Growing older is a privilege and if we can age gracefully, that is what truly counts," she stated further.

Ms White stated that males are not judged by identical appearance ideals, noting "people don't ask the age of famous men might be - they only look 'fantastic'."

She explained that became one of the reasons behind her participation in the competition for women over 45, to prove that midlife women remain relevant" and "retain their appeal".

A Fundamental Problem

Sali Hughes, a journalist of Welsh origin, said that while the actor is "gorgeous" this is "not the point", noting she ought to be at liberty to look as she wishes without her age being scrutinised.

Hughes argued the social media vitriol proved that no female is "immune" and that women do not deserve the "ongoing theme" that they are insufficient or youthful enough - a situation that is "maddening, irrespective of the individual targeted".

Asked if males encounter the same scrutiny, she said "no, never", noting women were criticized simply for having the "boldness" to live on the internet while growing older.

A No-Win Situation

Despite the wellness sector emphasizing "youthful longevity", she commented females are still judged regardless of if they grow older without intervention or underwent treatments like plastic surgery or injectables.

"When a woman ages gracefully, people say you should do more; if you get treatments, you're accused of trying too hard," she added.