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Women are rallying for Oscar-winning actor Zeta-Jones following she encountered scrutiny across platforms regarding her looks at a recent industry event.

The actor was present at a promotional function in Hollywood last month where a TikTok interview discussing her part in the new series of the 'Wednesday' show became dominated due to remarks focusing on her looks.

A Chorus of Defence

This year's Miss Great Britain Classic winner, Laura White, called the negative reaction "complete nonsense", adding that "men aren't given such a timeline that women do".

"Males escape this sell-by/use-by date that women do," argued the pageant winner.

Author Sali Hughes, 50, stated unlike men, females are unfairly judged as they age and the actor deserves to be free to look in any way she chooses.

Digital Backlash

Within the clip, which was also posted on Facebook and attracted millions of views, the actor, who is from Wales, spoke of how much she enjoyed delving into her role, Morticia Addams, in season two.

Yet a large portion of the hundreds of comments centered on her age and were negative about her appearance.

This criticism triggered significant support for Zeta-Jones, such as a viral video from a social media user which stated: "There is criticism for females when they get treatments and attack them if they avoid enough work."

Online users rallied in support, one stating: "She is growing older naturally and she is gorgeous."

Many labelled her as "gorgeous" and "so pretty", with another adding that "she looks her age - that is life."

Challenging Perceptions

The winner attended on air recently without any makeup as a demonstration and to show that there is no fixed "mold" for what a female in midlife ought to appear.

Similar to numerous females her age, she said she "maintains her wellbeing" not to look younger but in order to feel "improved" and look "in good health".

"Ageing is a gift and if we can age gracefully, that's what is important," she stated further.

She argued that men aren't judged by the same aesthetic benchmarks, adding "no-one questions how old certain male celebrities are - they just are described as 'wonderful'."

She said it was a key factor behind her participation in Miss Great Britain's category for women over 45, to "show that midlife women remain relevant" and "still have it".

Unfair Scrutiny

Hughes, an author and presenter from Wales, commented that although Zeta-Jones was "stunning" that is "not the point", adding she ought to be at liberty to look however she liked absent her age being scrutinised.

She said the digital criticism demonstrated that no female is "protected" and that it is unfair for women to endure the "constant narrative" which says they are not good enough or young enough - a problem that is "galling, regardless of who the victim is".

When asked if males encounter the same scrutiny, she answered "no, never", noting women were attacked just for demonstrating the "boldness" to exist on social media as they age.

An Impossible Standard

Despite the beauty industry promoting "age-defiance", the author stated women were still judged whether they aged gracefully or chose interventions such as plastic surgery or injectables.

"When a woman ages naturally, others claim more could be done; when you have procedures, people say you not aging gracefully enough," she concluded.