Females are uniting for acclaimed star Zeta-Jones after she was targeted by disparaging remarks online over her looks at a recent red carpet event.
She appeared at an industry gathering in LA last month during which an online segment discussing her role in the new series of Wednesday was overshadowed because of comments about her looks.
A Chorus of Defence
Aged 58, Laura White, called the online criticism "absolute rubbish", stating that "men aren't given this sell-by/use-by date which women face".
"Men are free from such a timeline that women do," stated Laura White.
Author aged 50, Sali Hughes, said unlike men, women were criticized for ageing and she ought to be free to appear in any way she chooses.
Online Reaction
During the interview, uploaded to Facebook and attracted more than 2.5m views, Zeta-Jones, hailing from Mumbles, Swansea, talked about how much she enjoyed delving into her part, the Addams Family matriarch, in season two.
But a significant number of the online responses centered on her years and were critical about her appearance.
The online backlash sparked widespread defence for the actor, such as a viral video online which stated: "You bully women for having too much work done and bully them if they avoid sufficient procedures."
Commenters also came to her defence, with one writing: "This is aging naturally and she appears beautiful."
Some called her as "stunning" and "lovely", while someone else said that "she looks her age - which is simply the natural process."
Challenging Perceptions
She appeared for her interview recently with a bare face as a demonstration and to show there was no set "mold" for what a woman in midlife ought to appear.
Similar to numerous females her age, she said she "takes care of herself" not to look younger but in order to feel "better" and look "healthy".
"Growing older is an honour and if we can live as well as possible, this is what truly counts," she continued.
She argued that men aren't held to the same beauty standards, adding "no-one questions how old Tom Cruise, George Clooney or Tom Jones might be - they simply appear 'wonderful'."
She said it was part of the motivation for entering the competition the classic category, to "show that females of a certain age continue to exist" and "retain their appeal".
A Fundamental Problem
Sali Hughes, a journalist of Welsh origin, stated that although the actor is "beautiful" that is "beside the point", adding she ought to be free to appear in any way she chooses absent her years being scrutinised.
She stated the social media vitriol proved not a single woman is "exempt" and that females should not face the "ongoing theme" that they are not good enough or youthful enough - an issue that is "galling, irrespective of the individual targeted".
Asked if males encounter the same scrutiny, she answered "not at all", explaining women were criticized just for showing "nerve" to exist on the internet while aging.
A Double Bind
Regardless of the wellness sector promoting "longevity", she commented females are still face criticism regardless of if they grow older without intervention or chose interventions such as plastic surgery or injectables.
"If you age naturally, people say more could be done; if you undergo treatments, you're accused of failing to age well," she remarked further.
