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Women are rallying behind Oscar-winning actor Zeta-Jones after she encountered criticism across platforms over her looks following a high-profile function.

The actor was present at an industry gathering in LA recently during which an online segment about her part in the new series of Wednesday was eclipsed due to remarks about her appearance.

Widespread Backing

This year's Miss Great Britain Classic winner, Laura White, called the backlash "complete nonsense", stating that "males escape this sell-by/use-by date that women do".

"Males escape this expiration date which women face," stated Ms White.

Writer and commentator Sali Hughes, 50, commented differently from men, women were subject to unfair scrutiny as they age and she ought to be at liberty to look as she wishes.

Digital Backlash

During the interview, uploaded to social media and attracted over 2.5 million views, the actor, who is from Mumbles, Swansea, talked about her enjoyment in delving into her character, Morticia Addams, in season two.

However many of the online responses zeroed in on her years and were negative about her appearance.

This criticism ignited a broad defence of Zeta-Jones, such as a popular post online which declared: "People criticize women when they get cosmetic procedures and criticize them when they don't have enough."

Others also rallied in support, one stating: "She is ageing naturally and she looks gorgeous."

Some called her as "beautiful" and "so pretty", and one comment read that "her appearance reflects her years - that's called life."

A Statement Arrival

Ms White arrived at the studio recently without any makeup as a demonstration and to highlight that there is no fixed "blueprint" of how a woman of a certain age is supposed to look.

Like many women her age, she explained she "looks after herself" not for a youthful appearance but in order to feel "improved" and be "vibrant".

"Getting older represents an honour and provided we age the best we can, that's what is important," she continued.

She contended that males are not subject to the same beauty standards, adding "nobody scrutinizes the age of Tom Cruise, George Clooney or Tom Jones are - they only appear 'wonderful'."

She said that became a key factor for entering Miss Great Britain's category for over-45s, to prove that midlife women continue to exist" and "possess it".

Unfair Scrutiny

Sali Hughes, a writer and commentator from Wales, said that while the actor is "stunning" that is "irrelevant", noting she ought to be free to appear in any way she chooses without her age facing scrutiny.

She said the social media vitriol proved that no female is "immune" and that females should not face the "ongoing theme" suggesting they are not good enough or young enough - a situation that is "galling, regardless of the individual targeted".

When asked if men experience equivalent judgment, she responded "absolutely not", adding females are targeted merely for having the "nerve" to exist on the internet while growing older.

A No-Win Situation

Regardless of the beauty industry advocating for "age-defiance", she commented females are still face criticism if they age without intervention or opted for procedures including surgical procedures or injections.

"If you age without intervention, commenters state you should do more; when you have treatments, people say you trying too hard," she concluded.