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Females are uniting in defence of Oscar-winning actor Catherine Zeta-Jones after she encountered scrutiny across platforms over her looks following a red carpet event.

She appeared at a promotional function in Los Angeles recently where an online segment featuring her role in season two of the 'Wednesday' show was overshadowed by remarks concerning her appearance.

Voices of Support

Laura White, 58, described the negative reaction "utter foolishness", stating that "males escape such a timeline imposed on women".

"Men don't have this sell-by/use-by date that women do," stated Ms White.

Author aged 50, Sali Hughes, stated differently from men, females are unfairly judged growing older and the actor deserves to be at liberty to look as she wishes.

The Social Media Storm

In the video, also shared to Facebook and had millions of views, Zeta-Jones, originally from Swansea, talked about the pleasure of delving into her part, Morticia Addams, in the latest season.

But a large portion of the numerous remarks centered on her years and were negative regarding her appearance.

This criticism triggered significant support of the actor, including a popular post from one Facebook user which stated: "People criticize females when they get treatments and attack them if they avoid enough."

Others also rallied in support, as one put it: "It's called ageing naturally and she looks gorgeous."

Many labelled her as "gorgeous" and "very attractive", while someone else said that "she looks her age - that is reality."

A Statement Arrival

She appeared for her interview earlier without any makeup to "prove a point" and to highlight the absence of a "template" of how a female in her 50s should look like.

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

"Growing older is an honour and provided we age the best we can, this is what truly counts," she stated further.

Ms White stated that men were not judged by equivalent beauty standards, noting "nobody scrutinizes how old famous men might be - they only appear 'great'."

Ms White noted it was one of the reasons behind her participation in the pageant's division the classic category, to prove that midlife women are still here" and "retain their appeal".

A Fundamental Problem

Hughes, a journalist from Wales, stated that while the actor is "stunning" it was "not the point", stating further she should be free to appear however she liked without her age coming under examination.

Hughes argued the online abuse demonstrated that no female is "protected" and that women do not deserve the "ongoing theme" that they are lacking or youthful enough - a problem that is "infuriating, no matter the person involved".

Asked if men experience the same scrutiny, she said "not at all", noting females are attacked just for having the "boldness" to live on social media while growing older.

A No-Win Situation

Even with the wellness sector promoting "age-defiance", she commented women were still criticised regardless of if they grow older naturally or underwent treatments including plastic surgery or injections.

"When a woman ages naturally, others claim you ought to try harder; if you get work done, people say you trying too hard," she added.