🔗 Share this article

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.

Zeta-Jones attended an industry gathering in Los Angeles on 9 November where a social media clip featuring her part in the new series of Wednesday was eclipsed because of discussion concerning her looks.

Widespread Backing

Aged 58, Laura White, described the backlash "absolute rubbish", noting that "men aren't given this expiration date that women do".

"Men don't have this expiration date imposed on women," stated the pageant winner.

Beauty journalist aged 50, Sali Hughes, stated in contrast to men, women were unfairly judged for ageing and the actor deserves to be able to appear in any way she chooses.

Online Reaction

Within the clip, uploaded to Facebook and had millions of views, the actor, hailing from Mumbles, Swansea, spoke of how much she enjoyed exploring her role, the Addams Family matriarch, in season two.

Yet a significant number of the numerous remarks zeroed in on her years and were critical regarding her appearance.

This criticism ignited widespread defence for the actor, including a widely-shared clip online which declared: "There is criticism for women when they get cosmetic procedures and bully them if they avoid enough."

Commenters also spoke up for her, with one writing: "This is aging naturally and she appears gorgeous."

Others described her as "beautiful" and "so pretty", while someone else said that "her appearance reflects her years - that's called life."

A Statement Arrival

She appeared for her interview earlier with a bare face to "prove a point" and to show that there is no fixed "blueprint" for what a woman in midlife ought to appear.

As with others her age, she stated she "takes care of herself" not for a youthful appearance but to feel "better" and be "healthy".

"Ageing is a privilege and when we live as well as possible, that is what is important," she continued.

She contended that males are not held to equivalent appearance ideals, noting "nobody scrutinizes the age of Tom Cruise, George Clooney or Tom Jones might be - they simply look 'great'."

She said that became one of the reasons for entering the pageant's division for women over 45, in order to demonstrate that females of a certain age remain relevant" and "possess it".

The Core Issue

Sali Hughes, a journalist from Wales, said that although Zeta-Jones was "beautiful" it was "irrelevant", noting she deserves to be at liberty to appear in any way she chooses free from her years coming under examination.

She said the online abuse proved not a single woman is "immune" and that females should not face the "constant narrative" which says they are lacking or young enough - a situation that is "galling, regardless of the person involved".

Questioned on whether males encounter the same scrutiny, she answered "not at all", adding females are targeted just for showing "boldness" to be present on social media as they age.

A No-Win Situation

Despite cosmetic companies emphasizing "youthful longevity", she commented women were still criticised regardless of if they grow older naturally or underwent treatments including cosmetic surgery or injectables.

"If you age naturally, people say more could be done; when you have treatments, you're accused of not aging gracefully enough," she added.