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Females are uniting in defence of Oscar-winning actor Zeta-Jones following she faced criticism across platforms regarding her appearance at a recent red carpet event.

Zeta-Jones attended a promotional function in LA recently during which a social media clip about her part in season two of the 'Wednesday' show was eclipsed by remarks about her age.

Widespread Backing

Aged 58, Laura White, labelled the backlash "absolute rubbish", stating that "males escape this sell-by/use-by date imposed on women".

"Males escape such a timeline which women face," stated the pageant winner.

Writer and commentator Sali Hughes, 50, commented unlike men, women were unfairly judged growing older and the actor deserves to be at liberty to appear however she liked.

The Social Media Storm

In the video, uploaded to social media and had millions of views, Zeta-Jones, who is from Wales, spoke of her enjoyment in portraying her role, the Addams Family matriarch, in the new episodes.

Yet many of the numerous remarks zeroed in on her age and were critical regarding her looks.

The online backlash sparked significant support for the actor, such as a popular post from a social media user which said: "You bully women when they get cosmetic procedures and criticize them if they avoid enough."

Online users spoke up for her, one stating: "This is growing older naturally and she looks beautiful."

Others described her as "gorgeous" and "so pretty", with another adding that "she appears her age - that is the natural process."

Challenging Perceptions

Ms White arrived on air recently without any makeup to "prove a point" and to show that there is no fixed "template" for what a female in midlife should look like.

As with others of her years, she stated she "takes care of herself" not to appear younger but so she feels "better" and look "healthy".

"Growing older is a gift and provided we live the best we can, that is what really matters," she continued.

Ms White stated that males are not held to identical beauty standards, noting "people don't ask how old famous men might be - they simply are described as 'fantastic'."

She explained it was part of the motivation she entered the competition for women over 45, to prove that women in midlife remain relevant" and "still have it".

A Fundamental Problem

The author, a writer and commentator from Wales, said that although the actor is "stunning" that is "not the point", noting she should be at liberty to look as she wishes free from her age facing scrutiny.

She stated the digital criticism proved no woman was "protected" and that women do not deserve the "perpetual story" suggesting they are not good enough or young enough - a problem that is "infuriating, irrespective of the individual targeted".

Questioned on whether men experience identical criticism, she responded "not at all", explaining women were targeted just for demonstrating the "boldness" to live on social media as they age.

A Double Bind

Regardless of cosmetic companies emphasizing "youthful longevity", she commented females are still criticised if they age naturally or chose interventions like surgical procedures or fillers.

"If you age without intervention, people say you ought to try harder; when you have procedures, you're accused of not aging gracefully enough," she concluded.