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Women are rallying behind Oscar-winning actor Catherine Zeta-Jones following she was targeted by criticism online about her appearance during a high-profile event.

Zeta-Jones attended a promotional function in Hollywood recently where a TikTok interview discussing her part in the latest the 'Wednesday' show was eclipsed due to discussion concerning her looks.

Voices of Support

This year's Miss Great Britain Classic winner, Laura White, described the online criticism "utter foolishness", stating that "males escape such a timeline that women do".

"Men don't have such a timeline which women face," stated the pageant winner.

Author Sali Hughes, 50, said in contrast to men, women were criticized as they age and Zeta-Jones should be able to appear however she liked.

Digital Backlash

Within the clip, uploaded to Facebook and garnered over 2.5 million views, the actor, hailing from Mumbles, Swansea, discussed the pleasure of exploring her role, Morticia Addams, in the latest season.

However a large portion of the numerous remarks zeroed in on her age and were disparaging towards her looks.

This criticism sparked significant support of Zeta-Jones, including a widely-shared clip online which said: "You bully women if they undergo too much work done and criticize them for not having enough."

Others also rallied in support, as one put it: "This is ageing naturally and she is stunning."

Some called her as "beautiful" and "lovely", while someone else said that "her appearance reflects her years - which is simply reality."

Making a Point

She appeared on air recently without any makeup as a demonstration and to demonstrate there was no set "blueprint" of how a female in midlife should look like.

Similar to numerous females of her years, she said she "takes care of herself" not for a youthful appearance but so she feels "better" and look "in good health".

"Ageing is an honour and provided we age gracefully, that is what is important," she continued.

She argued that males are not held to equivalent appearance ideals, stating "nobody scrutinizes the age of certain male celebrities might be - they simply appear 'wonderful'."

She said this was part of the motivation for entering Miss Great Britain's category for women over 45, in order to demonstrate that women in midlife are still here" and "possess it".

A Fundamental Problem

The author, a journalist of Welsh origin, said that although the actor is "stunning" this is "irrelevant", adding she should be free to appear however she liked absent her years being scrutinised.

She said the online abuse proved no woman was "protected" and that females should not face the "ongoing theme" that they are lacking or youthful enough - a problem that is "galling, regardless of the individual targeted".

Asked if males encounter equivalent judgment, she responded "no, never", explaining women were attacked merely for showing "audacity" to exist on social media as they age.

A Double Bind

Despite the wellness sector advocating for "longevity", the author stated females are still criticised regardless of if they grow older without intervention or opted for procedures like cosmetic surgery or injectables.

"Should you grow older without intervention, commenters state you ought to try harder; if you undergo procedures, you are criticized for trying too hard," she concluded.