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There is a groundswell of support in defence of Oscar-winning actor Zeta-Jones after she was targeted by disparaging remarks across platforms about her looks during a high-profile function.

She appeared at an industry gathering in LA last month where a TikTok interview about her part in season two of the 'Wednesday' show was overshadowed due to comments concerning her appearance.

Widespread Backing

This year's Miss Great Britain Classic winner, Laura White, described the online criticism "absolute rubbish", noting that "men aren't given this expiration date imposed on women".

"Men don't have such a timeline imposed on women," stated Laura White.

Author aged 50, Sali Hughes, stated differently from men, women were criticized for ageing and the actor deserves to be able to look as she wishes.

The Social Media Storm

In the video, also shared to Facebook and had millions of views, Zeta-Jones, who is from Swansea, spoke of her enjoyment in portraying her character, the Addams Family matriarch, in season two.

But many of the online responses centered on her age and were critical towards her looks.

This criticism sparked widespread defence of Zeta-Jones, featuring a widely-shared clip from a social media user which stated: "People criticize females if they undergo too much work done and bully them if they avoid sufficient procedures."

Others also spoke up for her, as one put it: "It's called ageing naturally and she looks gorgeous."

Many labelled her as "beautiful" and "so pretty", with another adding that "she looks her age - that is the natural process."

Making a Point

The winner attended for her interview recently makeup-free to make a statement and to demonstrate there was no set "mold" for what a woman in her 50s ought to appear.

As with others her age, she said she "takes care of herself" not to appear younger but to feel "improved" and be "healthy".

"Growing older is an honour and if we can live the best we can, this is what really matters," she stated further.

She contended that men were not held to identical aesthetic benchmarks, noting "people don't ask how old certain male celebrities are - they simply are described as 'fantastic'."

Ms White noted it was a key factor for entering the competition for over-45s, to prove that midlife women remain relevant" and "still have it".

Unfair Scrutiny

Hughes, a writer and commentator of Welsh origin, stated that while Zeta-Jones was "beautiful" this is "beside the point", noting she ought to be at liberty to look as she wishes without her age being scrutinised.

She stated the social media vitriol demonstrated not a single woman is "exempt" and that women do not deserve the "ongoing theme" that they are not good enough or of the right age - an issue that is "galling, irrespective of the person involved".

When asked if men experience identical criticism, she said "no, never", noting women were attacked just for having the "audacity" to live online while aging.

An Impossible Standard

Regardless of the wellness sector advocating for "longevity", she commented females are still criticised regardless of if they grow older without intervention or chose interventions like cosmetic surgery or injections.

"If you age without intervention, commenters state more could be done; if you get treatments, you are criticized for trying too hard," she remarked further.