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There is a groundswell of support in defence of acclaimed star Zeta-Jones following she encountered criticism across platforms regarding her looks at a recent red carpet appearance.

She appeared at an industry gathering in Los Angeles recently where a TikTok interview discussing her role in the latest the 'Wednesday' show was overshadowed due to comments concerning her appearance.

A Chorus of Defence

Aged 58, Laura White, called the backlash "absolute rubbish", adding that "males escape this expiration date which women face".

"Men are free from this expiration date that women do," argued Ms White.

Writer and commentator Sali Hughes, 50, said differently from men, women were unfairly judged as they age and the actor deserves to be at liberty to look however she liked.

Online Reaction

Within the clip, which was also posted on social media and garnered millions of views, the actor, originally from Swansea, talked about her enjoyment in exploring her character, the Addams Family matriarch, in the latest season.

However many of the hundreds of comments zeroed in on her years and were disparaging towards her appearance.

The online backlash triggered a broad defence for Zeta-Jones, featuring a viral video online which said: "People criticize women for having cosmetic procedures and criticize them if they avoid sufficient procedures."

Others also came to her defence, as one put it: "She is aging naturally and she looks stunning."

Some called her as "stunning" and "lovely", with another adding that "she appears her age - which is simply reality."

Making a Point

The winner attended for her interview recently without any makeup as a demonstration and to show that there is no fixed "mold" for what a woman in her 50s should look like.

As with others her age, she explained she "takes care of herself" not to look younger but so she feels "improved" and look "healthy".

"Growing older is a privilege and if we can do it the best we can, that's what truly counts," she stated further.

Ms White stated that men were not judged by the same appearance ideals, stating "nobody scrutinizes the age of famous men are - they just are described as 'wonderful'."

Ms White noted that became one of the reasons she entered the pageant's division for women over 45, in order to demonstrate that midlife women remain relevant" and "possess it".

The Core Issue

The author, a journalist of Welsh origin, said that although the actor is "beautiful" this is "beside the point", adding she deserves to be at liberty to look in any way she chooses free from her years coming under examination.

She said the social media vitriol showed that no female is "exempt" and that women do not deserve the "perpetual story" suggesting they are not good enough or young enough - a problem that is "maddening, regardless of the person involved".

When asked if men face equivalent judgment, she answered "absolutely not", noting females are attacked simply for showing "nerve" to exist on social media while aging.

A No-Win Situation

Regardless of the wellness sector advocating for "longevity", Hughes said women were still judged whether they aged naturally or underwent treatments like plastic surgery or injectables.

"Should you grow older gracefully, others claim you ought to try harder; if you get treatments, you're accused of not aging gracefully enough," she added.