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There is a groundswell of support for Oscar-winning actor Catherine Zeta-Jones after she was targeted by criticism online about her appearance following a industry appearance.

Zeta-Jones attended a promotional function in Los Angeles recently where a TikTok interview about her part in the latest the 'Wednesday' show became dominated by comments about her looks.

Voices of Support

This year's Miss Great Britain Classic winner, Laura White, described the online criticism "utter foolishness", adding that "males escape this sell-by/use-by date imposed on women".

"Men don't have such a timeline that women do," said Laura White.

Author aged 50, Sali Hughes, commented unlike men, females are unfairly judged growing older and she ought to be at liberty to look as she wishes.

Digital Backlash

In the video, also shared to Facebook and had more than 2.5m views, Zeta-Jones, originally from Wales, talked about her enjoyment in portraying her character, the Addams Family matriarch, in the new episodes.

However a significant number of the hundreds of comments zeroed in on her age and were critical about her looks.

This criticism ignited a broad defence for the actor, featuring a viral video from one Facebook user which stated: "You bully females when they get treatments and bully them when they don't have enough."

Online users spoke up for her, with one writing: "It's called aging naturally and she appears beautiful."

Many labelled her as "stunning" and "very attractive", with another adding that "she looks her age - which is simply reality."

Challenging Perceptions

She appeared for her interview earlier with a bare face as a demonstration and to highlight that there is no fixed "blueprint" for what a woman in midlife should look like.

Like many women in her demographic, she explained she "looks after herself" not for a youthful appearance but so she feels "well" and appear "healthy".

"Ageing is a privilege and provided we do it gracefully, that's what really matters," she continued.

She contended that men aren't judged by equivalent beauty standards, adding "no-one questions the age of Tom Cruise, George Clooney or Tom Jones might be - they only appear 'fantastic'."

Ms White noted that became part of the motivation for entering the pageant's division for women over 45, in order to demonstrate that females of a certain age are still here" and "retain their appeal".

The Core Issue

Sali Hughes, a journalist of Welsh origin, said that although Zeta-Jones was "gorgeous" that is "not the point", stating further she should be free to appear as she wishes without her years being scrutinised.

She said the online abuse showed no woman was "immune" and that it is unfair for women to endure the "constant narrative" which says they are insufficient or of the right age - an issue that is "galling, no matter the individual targeted".

Questioned on whether men experience the same scrutiny, she responded "no, never", noting women were targeted merely for demonstrating the "audacity" to be present online while growing older.

A Double Bind

Despite the wellness sector emphasizing "longevity", Hughes said females are still judged if they age naturally or chose interventions such as plastic surgery or fillers.

"Should you grow older gracefully, commenters state more could be done; if you undergo procedures, people say you failing to age well," she remarked further.