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There is a groundswell of support for acclaimed star Zeta-Jones after she encountered scrutiny across platforms regarding her looks during a high-profile event.

The actor was present at a Netflix event in Los Angeles recently where a TikTok interview about her role in season two of Wednesday was eclipsed by remarks about her looks.

Widespread Backing

Laura White, 58, described the online criticism "complete nonsense", stating that "males escape this sell-by/use-by date that women do".

"Men are free from such a timeline that women do," said the pageant winner.

Author Sali Hughes, 50, said in contrast to men, women were criticized growing older and she ought to be at liberty to appear as she wishes.

The Social Media Storm

In the video, uploaded to social media and had over 2.5 million views, the actor, hailing from Mumbles, Swansea, spoke of how much she enjoyed delving into her part, Morticia Addams, in the latest season.

But a significant number of the numerous remarks zeroed in on her age and were critical regarding her appearance.

The online backlash ignited widespread defence of the actor, such as a widely-shared clip online which said: "People criticize females for having too much work done and attack them when they don't have enough."

Commenters also spoke up for her, with one writing: "This is ageing naturally and she is beautiful."

Many labelled her as "gorgeous" and "so pretty", while someone else said that "she looks her age - that is life."

Challenging Perceptions

Ms White arrived at the studio earlier without any makeup as a demonstration and to highlight there was no set "template" for what a female in her 50s is supposed to look.

Similar to numerous females in her demographic, she said she "looks after herself" not to appear younger but to feel "better" and be "healthy".

"Ageing is a gift and when we do it the best we can, this is what is important," she added.

Ms White stated that men were not subject to the same aesthetic benchmarks, adding "no-one questions how old certain male celebrities are - they just look 'wonderful'."

She said this was part of the motivation for entering Miss Great Britain's category for women over 45, to "show that females of a certain age are still here" and "still have it".

The Core Issue

Sali Hughes, a journalist of Welsh origin, said that while the actor is "gorgeous" that is "irrelevant", noting she ought to be able to look as she wishes free from her age facing scrutiny.

Hughes argued the online abuse proved no woman was "immune" and that women do not deserve the "constant narrative" suggesting they are not good enough or of the right age - a situation that is "infuriating, no matter the individual targeted".

Questioned on whether males encounter the same scrutiny, she answered "no, never", adding females are attacked just for having the "nerve" to live online while growing older.

An Impossible Standard

Even with the beauty industry promoting "longevity", the author stated females are still criticised whether they aged naturally or chose interventions like surgical procedures or injectables.

"When a woman ages without intervention, people say you ought to try harder; if you undergo treatments, people say you not aging gracefully enough," she added.