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Females are uniting for Oscar-winning actor Zeta-Jones following she was targeted by criticism across platforms regarding her appearance following a red carpet appearance.

Zeta-Jones attended a Netflix event in Los Angeles recently where a TikTok interview about her character in season two of the 'Wednesday' show was eclipsed due to comments concerning her age.

Voices of Support

Laura White, 58, described the backlash "utter foolishness", adding that "men aren't given this sell-by/use-by date that women do".

"Males escape this expiration date which women face," said the pageant winner.

Beauty journalist Sali Hughes, 50, stated unlike men, females are unfairly judged as they age and she ought to be free to appear as she wishes.

Digital Backlash

During the interview, also shared to Facebook and had more than 2.5m views, Zeta-Jones, hailing from Swansea, discussed how much she enjoyed portraying her part, the Addams Family matriarch, in the new episodes.

However a large portion of the numerous remarks centered on her age and were negative about her looks.

The online backlash sparked widespread defence for Zeta-Jones, featuring a viral video from a social media user which said: "You bully women if they undergo cosmetic procedures and attack them if they avoid enough."

Online users came to her defence, one stating: "It's called ageing naturally and she appears beautiful."

Others described her as "stunning" and "so pretty", and one comment read that "she appears her age - that is life."

A Statement Arrival

The winner attended on air earlier with a bare face to "prove a point" and to show that there is no fixed "mold" of how a female of a certain age ought to appear.

As with others of her years, she said she "maintains her wellbeing" not to appear younger but so she feels "better" and be "in good health".

"Ageing is a gift and if we can do it gracefully, that is what truly counts," she continued.

Ms White stated that males are not held to identical beauty standards, adding "people don't ask how old certain male celebrities are - they just appear 'wonderful'."

She explained it was one of the reasons behind her participation in Miss Great Britain's category for women over 45, to "show that women in midlife remain relevant" and "possess it".

A Fundamental Problem

Hughes, an author and presenter of Welsh origin, stated that although the actor is "stunning" that is "irrelevant", adding she ought to be free to look in any way she chooses absent her years facing scrutiny.

She said the digital criticism showed that no female is "protected" and that women do not deserve the "ongoing theme" that they are not good enough or of the right age - a problem that is "maddening, regardless of the individual targeted".

Asked if males encounter identical criticism, she responded "not at all", noting women were criticized simply for having the "nerve" to exist on social media as they age.

An Impossible Standard

Even with the wellness sector advocating for "youthful longevity", the author stated females are still criticised if they age gracefully or opted for procedures like cosmetic surgery or injections.

"If you age naturally, people say more could be done; if you get procedures, you are criticized for trying too hard," she remarked further.