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Females are uniting for acclaimed star Zeta-Jones after she faced disparaging remarks online about her looks following a red carpet event.

Zeta-Jones attended a Netflix event in LA on 9 November where a TikTok interview discussing her character in the latest the 'Wednesday' show was overshadowed due to remarks about her age.

A Chorus of Defence

This year's Miss Great Britain Classic winner, Laura White, labelled the online criticism "utter foolishness", adding that "men don't have this sell-by/use-by date imposed on women".

"Men are free from this sell-by/use-by date that women do," said Laura White.

Writer and commentator aged 50, Sali Hughes, stated differently from men, women were criticized for ageing and the actor deserves to be free to appear in any way she chooses.

Digital Backlash

Within the clip, also shared to Facebook and garnered over 2.5 million views, Zeta-Jones, originally from Mumbles, Swansea, discussed the pleasure of exploring her part, the Addams Family matriarch, in season two.

Yet a significant number of the online responses centered on her years and were disparaging about her looks.

The online backlash sparked widespread defence for Zeta-Jones, such as a viral video online which stated: "People criticize females when they get treatments and criticize them when they don't have sufficient procedures."

Others also rallied in support, one stating: "It's called ageing naturally and she is gorgeous."

Many labelled her as "stunning" and "so pretty", and one comment read that "her appearance reflects her years - that's called the natural process."

Making a Point

Ms White arrived on air recently makeup-free to "prove a point" and to highlight the absence of a "mold" of how a female of a certain age should look like.

Similar to numerous females in her demographic, she said she "maintains her wellbeing" not to look younger but so she feels "better" and be "vibrant".

"Growing older is an honour and provided we live gracefully, that's what is important," she continued.

Ms White stated that men aren't judged by identical beauty standards, noting "people don't ask the age of Tom Cruise, George Clooney or Tom Jones are - they just look 'wonderful'."

She said that became part of the motivation for entering the pageant's division the classic category, to prove that midlife women are still here" and "possess it".

Unfair Scrutiny

The author, a writer and commentator from Wales, stated that although the actor is "stunning" it was "beside the point", stating further she should be able to look however she liked absent her years facing scrutiny.

Hughes argued the online abuse proved not a single woman is "protected" and that females should not face the "constant narrative" suggesting they are lacking or of the right age - a situation that is "maddening, no matter the individual targeted".

Asked if males encounter identical criticism, she said "no, never", noting women were criticized just for having the "boldness" to exist online while growing older.

An Impossible Standard

Even with the wellness sector advocating for "longevity", the author stated females are still face criticism if they age naturally or underwent treatments like surgical procedures or injections.

"If you age naturally, commenters state you should do more; if you undergo treatments, people say you not aging gracefully enough," she remarked further.