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There is a groundswell of support behind acclaimed star Zeta-Jones following she was targeted by disparaging remarks online over her appearance during a industry function.

Zeta-Jones attended a promotional function in Los Angeles on 9 November during which a TikTok interview featuring her part in season two of the 'Wednesday' show was eclipsed due to comments concerning her appearance.

Widespread Backing

This year's Miss Great Britain Classic winner, Laura White, labelled the online criticism "complete nonsense", noting that "men don't have this expiration date imposed on women".

"Males escape this expiration date imposed on women," said Laura White.

Author aged 50, Sali Hughes, stated in contrast to men, females are criticized for ageing and the actor deserves to be free to appear as she wishes.

Online Reaction

During the interview, uploaded to social media and attracted more than 2.5m views, the actor, hailing from Mumbles, Swansea, talked about her enjoyment in delving into her part, the Addams Family matriarch, in the latest season.

But a significant number of the hundreds of comments centered on her years and were disparaging towards her appearance.

This criticism ignited significant support for Zeta-Jones, including a popular post from one Facebook user which declared: "People criticize women for having cosmetic procedures and bully them when they don't have enough."

Commenters also spoke up for her, as one put it: "This is aging naturally and she looks beautiful."

Others described her as "stunning" and "very attractive", and one comment read that "she looks her age - which is simply life."

A Statement Arrival

She appeared on air earlier makeup-free to make a statement and to highlight that there is no fixed "blueprint" for what a female in midlife should look like.

Similar to numerous females her age, she said she "looks after herself" not to look younger but to feel "better" and look "vibrant".

"Getting older represents a gift and when we age gracefully, that's what is important," she continued.

She contended that males are not judged by equivalent beauty standards, adding "people don't ask the age of famous men are - they simply are described as 'fantastic'."

She said that became a key factor behind her participation in the competition the classic category, to prove that midlife women are still here" and "possess it".

The Core Issue

Sali Hughes, a journalist of Welsh origin, stated that while the actor is "beautiful" it was "irrelevant", adding she should be at liberty to appear in any way she chooses without her years facing scrutiny.

She said the social media vitriol showed that no female is "exempt" and that females should not face the "constant narrative" which says they are insufficient or young enough - a problem that is "infuriating, regardless of who the victim is".

Questioned on whether men experience equivalent judgment, she answered "absolutely not", explaining females are targeted simply for having the "boldness" to live on social media while growing older.

An Impossible Standard

Regardless of cosmetic companies promoting "longevity", she commented women were still criticised if they age naturally or chose interventions such as cosmetic surgery or injectables.

"Should you grow older without intervention, others claim more could be done; when you have procedures, people say you failing to age well," she remarked further.