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There is a groundswell of support for acclaimed star Catherine Zeta-Jones following she encountered criticism online over her looks during a high-profile appearance.

Zeta-Jones attended an industry gathering in Hollywood recently during which a TikTok interview discussing her role in season two of Wednesday became dominated due to discussion focusing on her looks.

A Chorus of Defence

Aged 58, Laura White, described the online criticism "absolute rubbish", adding that "males escape this expiration date that women do".

"Men don't have such a timeline that women do," said the pageant winner.

Author Sali Hughes, 50, commented differently from men, females are unfairly judged as they age and Zeta-Jones should be able to look as she wishes.

The Social Media Storm

During the interview, uploaded to social media and had over 2.5 million views, the actor, who is from Mumbles, Swansea, spoke of her enjoyment in delving into her role, Morticia Addams, in season two.

However a large portion of the online responses centered on her years and were disparaging about her looks.

The online backlash ignited widespread defence for the actor, such as a popular post online which said: "There is criticism for women if they undergo cosmetic procedures and attack them if they avoid enough work."

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

Others described her as "beautiful" and "very attractive", while someone else said that "she appears her age - that is the natural process."

Making a Point

The winner attended for her interview earlier without any makeup to "prove a point" and to show the absence of a "template" for what a female in her 50s ought to appear.

Like many women in her demographic, she stated she "maintains her wellbeing" not to appear younger but to feel "better" and be "vibrant".

"Ageing is a gift and provided we do it the best we can, that is what really matters," she added.

She argued that men were not judged by identical appearance ideals, stating "no-one questions how old Tom Cruise, George Clooney or Tom Jones might be - they simply appear 'great'."

She explained it was part of the motivation she entered Miss Great Britain's category for over-45s, in order to demonstrate that midlife women continue to exist" and "possess it".

A Fundamental Problem

Hughes, a writer and commentator from Wales, said that although the actor is "beautiful" it was "irrelevant", adding she ought to be able to look however she liked without her age coming under examination.

Hughes argued the digital criticism showed that no female is "exempt" and that women do not deserve the "perpetual story" suggesting they are lacking or youthful enough - a situation that is "infuriating, irrespective of the individual targeted".

When asked if men face the same scrutiny, she said "not at all", adding females are targeted simply for demonstrating the "audacity" to be present online while aging.

A Double Bind

Regardless of cosmetic companies emphasizing "age-defiance", she commented women were still criticised whether they aged naturally or chose interventions like plastic surgery or injectables.

"When a woman ages gracefully, others claim more could be done; if you get work done, you are criticized for trying too hard," she added.