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Women are rallying in defence of acclaimed star Catherine Zeta-Jones after she was targeted by disparaging remarks on social media regarding her appearance following a high-profile appearance.

The actor was present at a promotional function in Los Angeles last month during which a TikTok interview featuring her character in the latest the 'Wednesday' show became dominated due to comments about her appearance.

Voices of Support

This year's Miss Great Britain Classic winner, Laura White, described the online criticism "absolute rubbish", noting that "males escape such a timeline that women do".

"Men don't have this expiration date that women do," said Laura White.

Writer and commentator Sali Hughes, 50, commented differently from men, women were subject to unfair scrutiny as they age and the actor deserves to be able to look however she liked.

Digital Backlash

During the interview, which was also posted on social media and had more than 2.5m views, the actor, hailing from Wales, talked about the pleasure of exploring her role, the Addams Family matriarch, in the new episodes.

But many of the hundreds of comments focused on her years and were negative about her appearance.

The negative remarks sparked widespread defence for the actor, featuring a popular post online which stated: "There is criticism for women if they undergo too much work done and bully them if they avoid enough."

Online users spoke up for her, with one writing: "She is ageing naturally and she is beautiful."

Some called her as "gorgeous" and "lovely", while someone else said that "she looks her age - that's called life."

Making a Point

The winner attended at the studio recently without any makeup to "prove a point" and to show that there is no fixed "blueprint" for what a woman in her 50s ought to appear.

As with others in her demographic, she said she "looks after herself" not to appear younger but to feel "better" and be "in good health".

"Growing older is an honour and provided we do it the best we can, that is what truly counts," she continued.

She contended that males are not judged by equivalent appearance ideals, stating "nobody scrutinizes how old Tom Cruise, George Clooney or Tom Jones might be - they just appear 'wonderful'."

Ms White noted it was part of the motivation for entering the pageant's division the classic category, to "show that midlife women remain relevant" and "possess it".

A Fundamental Problem

The author, a writer and commentator from Wales, stated that while Zeta-Jones was "stunning" it was "not the point", stating further she should be at liberty to appear as she wishes free from her age coming under examination.

Hughes argued the online abuse proved not a single woman is "immune" and that women do not deserve the "ongoing theme" suggesting they are lacking or youthful enough - a situation that is "maddening, irrespective of the person involved".

When asked if men face identical criticism, she answered "not at all", adding females are targeted merely for demonstrating the "nerve" to exist online as they age.

A No-Win Situation

Even with cosmetic companies advocating for "age-defiance", she commented women were still face criticism if they age gracefully or underwent treatments like surgical procedures or injections.

"Should you grow older without intervention, people say you ought to try harder; if you get procedures, people say you not aging gracefully enough," she concluded.